The Faeries and Folklore Podcast by Ronel: Wild Hunt #podcast #faeries #folklore

Episode 88: Solitary Fae: Wild Hunt

The folklore of the wild hunt in a nutshell, how I reimagined them for my writing, and these fae translated to Afrikaans.

Written and narrated by Ronel Janse van Vuuren.

Copyright 2023 Ronel Janse van Vuuren — All rights reserved.

Learn more about the wild hunt in folklore here.

Get the transcript here.

Music: Secrets by David Fesliyan (FesliyanStudios.com) and Dramatic Heartbeat by FesliyanStudios.com

Transcript

You’re listening to the Faeries and Folklore podcast by Ronel.

I’m dark fantasy author Ronel Janse van Vuuren. With almost a decade of digging around in dusty folklore books, researching creatures of imagination that ignited my curiosity, I’m here to share the folklore in a nutshell and how I reimagined it for my writing in an origin of the fae.

This is the Faeries and Folklore podcast.

Hi, I’m your host Ronel Janse van Vuuren. You can just call me Ronel. In today’s episode, we’re continuing our exploration of the fae realm.

This episode is brought to you by my Dark Court Sisters book series. Available in ebook, paperback and audiobook. Three sisters. Three destinies. Three ways to destroy the world. Go to ronelthemythmaker.com/darkcourtsistersseries for more.

You can now support my time in producing the podcast (researching, writing and everything else involved) by buying me a coffee. This can be a once-off thing, or you can buy me coffee again in the future at your discretion. Go to buymeacoffee.com/ronel to support me.

We’re continuing our exploration of Solitary Fae.

Today’s Faery: Wild Hunt

Folklore in a Nutshell by Ronel

Sometimes described as spectral hounds led by a hunt-master with a crown of antlers, the wild hunt can be found in many parts of the world.

In German lore, it is Frau Berchta who leads the hounds. In Wales, it is Gwyn ap Nudd. In other tales it is Herne the Hunter who leads the Gabriel Ratchets. In Norse lore it is Odin who leads the Wild Hunt.

As hounds, they are the Cwn Annwn (pronounced koon aanoon) and the Gabriel Ratchets. These hounds are harbingers of death found in Wales, Durham, Lancashire and Yorkshire. Their howls grow softer as they approach, yet their growls are a wild lament from afar. In some tales, they are described as hounds with human heads that fly through stormy night skies.

Mostly, though, it is a mixture of spectral hounds and huntsmen on horseback. They ride through the countryside – or woods – chasing down unfortunate mortals. Odin enjoyed hunting wood wives. In some cases, they hunt down the spirits of the dying to join their procession.

It is not clear what the purpose of the Wild Hunt is, other than terrifying mortals, of course.

And now for my interpretation of the fae in an Origin of the Fae: Wild Hunt

Hounds. 

Females are rare. They’re more vicious than the males. (They get into more fights and die.)

Ferocious creatures with claws and sharp teeth. Particularly strong glamour to hide their true selves even from other Fae.

When the Hunt is around, every living creature feels primordial fear. They remember the worst moments of their lives. The Hunt causes people to feel extra anger and violence as well – leads to lots of fights filled with fear and anger whenever the Hunt is near.

Only certain Fae are immune to their effect: the monarchs of the Courts, the Cù Sìth and Caìt Sìth, and particularly strong Fae like the Assassin.

Their allegiance is to the Dark Court even though they are technically a law unto themselves like the Cù Sìth and Caìt Sìth.

Pack loyalty is everything.

They take part in seasonal ritualistic hunts/kills to feed the magic of the earth (the place magic comes from).

Mortal enemies: none known.

As a little bonus, let’s look at this faery translated to Afrikaans: Wilde Jagd.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this episode of the faeries and folklore podcast and that you’ve learned something new about faeries.

Remember that you can get a transcript of this episode in the description. If you’re new to the podcast, why not go and grab your free copy of Unseen, the second book in the Faery Tales series, on my website ronelthemythmaker.com? Loads of folklore, magic and danger await! Take care!

Available at

Audible | Podbean | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music | Spotify | Youtube | iHeart Radio | Player FM | Listen Notes | Apple Podcasts | TuneIn

You can now support my time in producing the podcast (researching, writing and everything else involved) by buying me a coffee. This can be a once-off thing, or you can buy me coffee again in the future at your discretion.