KRISTOFFER HUGHES – The Secret Circle, the Black Leg and the Lost Grimoire
The folklore and legends of Wales have had a huge impact on the global Occult community, but is there evidence of occult exercises that are unique to Wales? In this presentation, Kristoffer takes us on a journey to investigate the Cylch Cyfrin Môn, the legend of Y Goes Ddu and the forgotten grimoire of Glynllifon: a journey that interweaves folk and native traditions and their influence on the Western Occult Tradition.
KRISTOFFER HUGHES is head of the Anglesey Order of Druids and an award-winning author of several books and three Tarot decks. He’s an active member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and a member of Gorsedd Cymru. He retired from HM Coroner’s service in 2021 and is now a TV presenter and actor, and travels the world lecturing.
ANGHARAD WYNNE – Perthyn / Belonging
ANGHARAD WYNNE is a writer and storyteller, a consultant working in the field of culture and creativity, a place-maker and heritage specialist working both within Wales, in the UK, Ireland and the US. Increasingly these days, Angharad is returning to her love of stories, nature and landscape; to writing, running retreats and pilgrimages exploring the mythic landscape, the magic of nature and living soulfully.
Reclaiming lost voices – particularly women’s voices – exploring the ineffable, and searching for wisdom within stories that seem important for our time now have been key strands through Angharad’s work.
Angharad is a published poet and author, a walk and expedition leader, a proud co-founder of The Animate Earth Collective and Director of Dreaming The Land. She is happily married to Mike, mum to Myfi and step-mum to Amber. All are ably managed by Cadi the border collie.
Angharad will discuss: PERTHYN / BELONGING – the animistic root of our indigenous spiritual traditions and their importance today.
Dr GWILYM MORUS-BAIRD – Goddesses in Y Mabinogi
Is it possible to identify goddesses in the text of Y Mabinogi? Most of us would probably give a positive answer to the question. But why then? What exactly do we mean by ‘goddess’? By challenging the modern definition, one can begin to appreciate how ambiguous the boundary between mortal and divine is in our ancient legends. Gwilym will discuss the assumptions of early scholars, especially the tendency to see any powerful or supernatural female figure in Roman and Greek religious terms. We look at characters such as Rhiannon, Branwen, Arianrhod and Blodeuwedd trying to understand how the Britons would have found similar figures. We will ask, what is hidden by the term ‘goddess’
Dr GWILYM MORUS-BAIRD is a renowned scholar who shares his studies into Celtic wisdom, history, literature and mythology with others around the world, through his highly entertaining online courses. He is also an accomplished musician who has released several Welsh albums, and has over two decades of experience in composing and performing as well as producing, theatre and storytelling.
MHARA STARLING – Fairies, Familiar Spirits, and their relationship with the magicians of Wales
Throughout the ages the Welsh have recognized the fact that we receive visits from the inhabitants of Annwfn, the other world, from time to time. We have many names for these visitors: Y Tylwyth Teg, Ellyllon, Plant Annwfn. Although most people were afraid of Y Tylwyth Teg, practitioners of magic often created a relationship with them. Mhara will look at traditional Welsh legends related to Y Tylwyth Teg, and specifically how Y Tylwyth Teg were a large part of the work of the magician, the cunning folk, and magical practitioners here in Wales.
MHARA STARLING is a Welsh witch and author of ‘Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales’ and ‘Welsh Fairies: A Guide to the Lore, Legends, Denizens & Deities of the Otherworld’. Her third book ‘Pagan Portals: Y Mabinogi’ will be published in April 2025. Originally from Aberffraw, Anglesey, Mhara shares her love of Welsh mythology and magic through her YouTube channel, social media pages, and her podcast ‘The Welsh Witch Podcast’. She also runs workshops and courses online and in person. Having appeared in various television series and documentaries in both Welsh and English, Mhara is at her happiest when she is enchanting people with the magical stories of Wales.
RHYS MWYN – Archaeology and Magic – the Neolithic burial chambers
Is there a connection betwen archaeology and magic? Rhys will be discussing this within the context of Wales’ Neolithic burial chambers.
RHYS MWYN was born and raised in Mid Wales, in Llanfair Caereinion but he lives in Caernarfon with his wife Nest and their children. Rhys and his brother Siôn were in the Welsh punk rock band ‘Yr Anrhefn’. They established a record label called Anrhefn and Rhys used to work as manager to many bands, including Catatonia. Rhys has a weekly show on Radio Cymru playing music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. Rhys loves archaeology – he works as an archaeologist and lectures on the subject.
All the presentations will be translated in-ear by Geiriau Gwyn. Geiriau Gwyn is a Welsh English translation company established in 1999. The company provides simultaneous and written translation services across the whole of Wales and further afield. The owner GWYNFOR OWEN is an accredited simultaneous translator with the Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters, and is committed to providing only the highest quality of translations.
