Wild Hunt

The Wild Hunt is a common belief across Britain and Europe. Although there are many variations they all follow the same pattern that a phantom leader followed by his men and hounds fly through the night in pursuit of something.

Mostly the hunt is invisible although it may be heard passing overhead. Those who see it are said to be taken, they "die" to ordinary awareness. Those taken would often be found long distances away pale, disoriented and confused.

The master of the hunt is said to summon forth and separate the Subtle body (the fetch) from the physical body with his horn.

The passing of the hunt was said to bring pestilence, death or war.

The hunt was said to come at midday, midnight or nights of the full moon, Halloween, 12 nights of Yule and it was said to prefer autumn and winter nights when the wind was stronger.

Riding the Stang is based upon the Wild Hunt

Other Names for the Hunt

Leaders of the Hunt

Mounted upon a steed usually white or dapple grey, although sometimes a black headless horse. Wearing a broad brimmed hat and a wide mantle. Can be accompanied by Tutursel the hotting owl and ravens.

Local Names of the Hounds of the Wild Hunt

Cwm Annwn (Wales)

Dando and his dogs or the devil and his Dandy Dogs (Cornwall England)

Gabriel Hounds or Gabbie Retchets (North Britain) (Gabriel is related to the old word for corpse and not the Angel Gabriel)

Hounds of Annwyvn (Wales)

Old Coker - Sir Henry Coker (Deverill Valley Wiltshire England)

Yeth (Heath) or Wisht hounds (Devon England)

Description of the Hounds

Black hounds with fiery eyes that are often as big as saucers. Sometimes said to have horns. In Devon and Leeds it was thought the hounds were the souls of children who died before they were baptized.

What they Chase

Boar (Norse)

Wild Horse (Norse)

Moss Maidens (Norse)

Souls of evildoers (Christian)

Stag of purest white (England)

Un-baptized Infants (Christian)

If taken by the hunt to a distant land then a person must never mention it as they will die