Rune Oracle

Celtic folklore

Cŵn Annwn

The spectral hounds of the Otherworld

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Also called the hounds of Annwn, Cŵn Bendith y Mamau, Cŵn Wybr (sky hounds).

The tale

The Cŵn Annwn are the hounds of the Welsh Otherworld, white with red ears in the Mabinogi, belonging to Arawn. In later folklore they hunt through the sky on stormy nights, and their baying is loudest when they are far away and softest when they are close. Hearing them was a warning of death. They are linked with Gwyn ap Nudd and the wild hunt.

When they are met

  • Calan Gaeaf
  • stormy winter nights

Staying on their good side

  • stay indoors on stormy nights when they are said to hunt
  • kindness to real hounds
  • never follow the sound

Honouring them, or keeping safe

  1. Listen for geese flying over in autumn, which may lie behind the legend.
  2. On Calan Gaeaf night, stay by the fire and tell the old stories of the hunt.

What their tales teach

  • the tales teach respect for death
  • guidance of souls
  • the dark half of the year

Symbols

  • white hounds with red ears
  • the baying in the sky
  • the migrating geese

The sound of migrating geese at night may explain some accounts.

Sources

  • Pwyll Pendefig Dyfed (the First Branch of the Mabinogi)
  • Sikes, British Goblins

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