Episode 15: The Pale Horse at the Door - A Mari Lwyd Winter Folklore Tale

In this winter folklore episode, we explore the legend of Mari Lwyd through the older belief in pale horses of Celtic mythology. Traditionally, Mari Lwyd appears at the door during midwinter, demanding riddles and rhymes in exchange for entry. This story imagines a darker version of that encounter, where a pale winter mare arrives not only for song and wit, but to test what a person is willing to risk at the threshold.

Pale horses appear throughout Celtic folklore as boundary-crossers, messengers, and guides between worlds, often arriving at dusk, during winter, or at moments of transition. Drawing from these older traditions, this short story weaves Mari Lwyd’s riddling customs with the cautionary role of the pale horse, where clever answers may bring protection and failure may carry a dangerous cost.

This episode is part of a winter folklore series exploring seasonal myths, old traditions, and the stories that surface when the nights grow long.