The Cailleach
‘Compiled by Kate Warne’
Among the stories surrounding the winter solstice is the Celtic myth of the Cailleach. Known by many names: Queen of Winter, Hag of Beara, and White Witch, she even shares a shadow story with a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil.
Cailleach (Cah-lee-ah), in both Scottish and Irish Gaelic, means “old woman” or “hag” and was derived from Caillech, meaning “veiled one” in Old Gaelic.
The white settlers of the WHYLD area had strong Celtic roots—Irish, Scottish, Cornish, Welsh, and French—the Winter Warming celebration has several Celtic traditions like the bonfire and lanterns to light up the longest night. In 2024, the Cailleach led the lantern parade for the first time.
Imbolc (IM-bol-k) is a traditional Gaelic festival marking the beginning of spring and is generally celebrated on August 1st or 2nd in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Veiled One Walks
‘by Kate Warne’
They say the hills moan in winter, not from the wind, but from her boots—heavy with age, heavy with knowing. The Cailleach walks again.
Each Samhain, when the veil thins and the sun begins to sleep, she stirs from stone beds in the highlands, wrapped in rags of mist and frost. Her hair is a tangle of snow clouds. Her staff, an icicle from time’s beginning. Where she treads, rivers freeze, and hills turn pale. And the land listens.
They do not speak her name lightly in the glens of Scotland or the valleys of Ireland, for she is as likely to bless a hearth as bury it in snow.
She builds the mountains, they say. One rock at a time from her endless apron. Ben Nevis—her greatest cairn—was born when she stumbled and the last stones fell from her grasp.
Come Imbolc, folk keep watch on the sky. If the wind screams and snow falls, they smile in secret: She sleeps. Her wood is gathered. Winter will break.
But if the sun shines bright and shadows are cast? Then hush falls over the hearth. She walks. She gathers. The cold will cling longer yet.
Yet she is not cruelty alone. She guards the deer, teaches the wolves, and listens to the trees in their dreams. And when the year grows old enough to die, she takes its hand and walks it into the dark.
They say she does not die, only changes.
That when she drinks from the well of youth in the heart of spring, her crone’s face smooths to radiance, and she becomes Brigid—the goddess of fire, healing, and poem. Light follows her then. Seeds crack open. Lambs are born.
Half the year, a hag. Half, a maiden. One spirit, many shapes.
You’ll know her by the cold in your bones and the voice in the wind.
She is storm, silence, snow, stone.
She is not gone.
She is just watching.
WHYLD Winter Warming 2024.
Winter Warming made a welcome return in 2024 inst its new location at the 1 Woori Yallock Scout Hall located in the far corner of the Woori Yallock Recreation Reserve.
The solstice celebration heralded a perfect winters day with clear blue skies preceding the calm fresh night. Hillcrest CFA were back to manage the parking and bonfire, together with the Yarra Valley Red Cross serving hot food and drinks, including deliciously warm and aromatic mulled wine.
Scouts provided marshmallows for toasting as a fundraiser and WHYLD offered roast chestnuts for free to sample.
Richard Brown and Bluebird sang and strummed guitars in the background as locals gathered around the bonfire for warmth as the sun set. Free face painting inside the hall attracted a regular queue of the young and young at heart.
Finally, a little tin can lantern parade around the bonfire – led by Cailleach Beara: Bringer of Winter – capped off the evening.
WHYLD Winter Warming Event – June 2025!
Winter is here, and it’s the perfect time to gather together. We’d love for you to join us at the WHYLD Winter Warming Event! Come along for a night of warmth, laughter, and community spirit. Enjoy delicious food, great conversations, and entertainment that will chase away the winter chill. Bring your friends and family – everyone is welcome. Let’s make this winter night one to remember!
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