Search
Samhain and the Return of the Dead
As we begin to approach Samhain, and the astronomical cross-quarter, I though I'd begin to post some traditions associated with this...
Samhain and the Seed
I recently finished Andrew Micheal Hurley’s excellent folklore novel, Starve Acre. Without spoilers, the protagonist discovers the bones...
Mirror Folklore at Samhain: Reflections of The Otherworld
Although the following custom is considered romantic, I must admit that I've always found it slightly eerie and disturbing. There are a...
Fairies: Navigators or Passengers of the Dream?
Writing in Fairies, Demons, and Nature Spirits: 'Small Gods' at the Margins of Christendom, Professor Lisa Bitel draws attention to the...
Burning the Fairy
I attended an excellent lecture by Dr. Thomas Waters this week entitled Fairies, Curses and Witches: The Uses and Abuses of Magic in...
The Land of Fairies and Giants
There are many places in Ireland said to be the domain of giants, as well as ancient monuments believed to have been built by them....
Taboo Folklore in the Irish Record: Sex, Death, and Dark Magic
Recently, I read posts from two different people arguing for opposing views of how Irish folklore should be treated. The first person was...
Warding Against Evil and Irish Folk-Magic Protection
Andrew Michael Hurley's novel, The Loney, is a tale of folk-magic and superstition, as well as a dark coming of age story. One of the...
Christmas Cards from the Victorian Era
A gallery of seasonal greeting cards from a time before Christmas became sanitized. Enjoy!
A Deep Winter Prayer (of Release)
I release my partner from the obligation to complete me. I release my parents from the feeling they failed with me. I release my children...
Chysh Khan' - Siberian Santa
'Chysh Khan is said to be a modern incarnation of the mythical image of Yakut Bull of Winter. Chysh Khan’s residence is located at the...
On the Philosopher's Stone
'There is a secret medicine given only to those who hurt so hard they can't hope. The hopers would feel slighted if they knew.' ~ Jalāl...