Fabulous Folklore with Icy
Episodes
The Mysterious Haunting at Willington Mill, Wallsend
05 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We might think of ghost hunts or investigations as a predominantly 20th and 21st-century endeavour. Yet the legend of the ghosts at Willington Mill sh...
Lore of the Aran Islands: Saints, Ancient Forts, and Sweaters
28 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Aran Islands lie in Galway Bay off the west coast of Ireland. They're made up of Inis Mór, Inis Mearn, and Inis Oírr. People have likely lived o...
Invitation to listeners! Bring out your supernatural encounters
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Hello, friends! Our October theme for the podcast is (unsurprisingly) the supernatural. So I wanted to dedicate at least one episode to people's supe...
Legends of Bardsey Island: Avalon or the Isle of 20,000 Saints?
21 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ynys Enlli in north Wales is also known as Bardsey Island, and it's been a pilgrimage destination since the 6th century. The island lies at the north...
Exploring Baba Yaga and Her Literary Legacy with Kris Spisak
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Kris Spisak earned her bachelor’s degree in English from the College of William and Mary, her master of liberal arts from the University of Richmond...
Islay Folklore: Giants, Fairy Changelings, and the Water Bull
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Islay is an island to the west of Scotland, at the entrance to the Firth of Lorn. It's 25 miles north of Northern Ireland. Archaeological evidence sho...
Lindisfarne Legends: St Cuthbert, Ghostly Monks and the Petting Stone
07 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lindisfarne, or Holy Island, lies some 11.5 miles to the south east of Berwick-upon-Tweed, just off the coast of Northumberland. Only accessible at lo...
Legends of Mythical Birds: From the Phoenix to the Firebird
31 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's easy for mythical birds to capture the imagination, whether it's the phoenix rising from the ashes, or Aethon eternally pecking Prometheus' liver...
Folklore of Ornamental Birds: From Holy Birds to Death Omens
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Humans have found a whole range of uses for birds over the centuries. Hunting with them, keeping them for their song, using them for food or divinatio...
Debunking Historic Building Myths with James Wright
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
James Wright (Triskele Heritage), is an award winning buildings archaeologist. He has two decades professional experience of ferreting around in peopl...
The Folklore of Garden Birds: Blackbirds, Sparrows, Wrens & Robins
17 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's often easy to overlook what we see every day, or at least regularly. Perhaps that's why we overlook our humble garden birds in favour of majestic...
The Folklore of Birds of Prey: Companions and Competition
10 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Birds of prey have an interesting relationship to humans, having been both competing predators and avian companions for leisure pursuits. They've prov...
Yokai and Japanese Folklore with Thersa Matsuura
08 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Thersa Matsuura, an American author living in Japan, explores lesser-known aspects of Japanese culture, folklore, superstitions, and myths. Fluent in ...
The Folklore of Aquatic Birds of Cliffs, Lakes and Rivers
03 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Few watery scenes are quite complete without birds in the picture. Ducks drifting across a country pond. Gulls wheeling in the sky above the beach, be...
Sunderland Ghost Stories: Grey Ladies, Serial Killers and Poltergeists
27 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sunderland began life as three separate settlements on the River Wear. A fishing village called 'Soender-land', or land that is cut asunder' existed b...
Witches and Witch Trials with Marion Gibson
25 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marion Gibson writes accurate, engaging books about witches and magic in history. She’s been interested in witches for over thirty years, since she ...
Carlisle Legends: Ghosts, Secret Tunnels, and The Cursing Stone
20 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Carlisle began life as Luguvalium, a Roman settlement that grew out of the fort on the site. It was the capital of an ancient British kingdom. Both Vi...
Devils, Cats, Tiny Streets & Witches: York Folklore At Its Best
13 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
While York is often considered one of England's most haunted cities, other strange and unusual tales lurk in its narrow snickleways. There are storie...
The Dark Side of Sheffield Folklore: Spectres and River Spirits
06 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There is much of the strange and haunting in Sheffield's folklore. Does that make it a haunted place? There are stories of water gods in the River Do...
Rue Folklore: Warding off Poison, Plague and Pestilence
29 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Rue was cultivated in England for its medicinal use, having been introduced by the Romans! It appears in folk remedies to ward off evil spirits, poiso...
St John's Wort: The Folk Magic of the Midsummer Plant
22 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
St John's Wort often flowers around Midsummer's Day, or the Feast of St John, hence its strong links with St John. It's one of the most important plan...
Romanian and Irish Fairy Lore with Daniela Simina
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Daniela Simina is native of Romania, granddaughter of a Fairy Seer and medicine woman. She became acquainted with fairies through the local lore and f...
Lemon Balm Folklore: Sweet Smells & Folk Remedies
15 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lemon balm, or Melissa officinalis, is a member of the Lamiaceae family, along with mint, rosemary, marjoram, sage, basil, and lavender. Its popular n...
Poppy Folklore: The Symbol of Sleep, Death, War, and…Love?
08 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Poppy folklore isn't just full of Remembrance Sunday or sleep charms. It even has links to love and honouring the dead! Let's find out more in this...
Iris Folklore: Perfume, Remedies, and a Rainbow Goddess
01 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The iris is one of those instantly recognisable flowers, showy and bright with its voluminous petals, able to add a splash of colour to any garden. Th...
Milan Legends of Dragons, Ghosts, and the Devil
25 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As we've seen with these European cities, ancient settlements often produce a range of ghosts and legends. It's unsurprising, with so many people livi...
Animism and Animistic Witchcraft with Althaea Sebastiani
20 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Althaea Sebastiani is a spiritworker and religious educator whose work focuses on helping people navigate the realities of deep spiritual practice. Th...
What was the Dancing Plague of 1518 in Strasbourg?
18 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to plague outbreaks in Europe, your mind probably doesn't immediately jump to a so-called dancing plague. Yet that's precisely what seem...
Pacific Legends and Folklore with Kamuela Kaneshiro
12 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I'm pleased to introduce you to Kamuela Kaneshiro, who was born and raised in Honolulu, ...
Vienna Legends: Mozart, Elisabeth Bathory & Restless Ghosts
11 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Austrian capital Vienna has a long history, dating back to the 1st century CE Roman military camp of Vindobona. It's been home to some pretty big name...
Helsinki Legends: Haunted Theatres and Restless Ghosts
04 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Helsinki has a lengthy history, dating back to at least the Bronze Age. Parts of the city even stand on old cemeteries. It's bound to have a few gh...
Meet Robin Hood, the Legendary Rebel of English Myth
27 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Robin Hood is perhaps the most recognisable figure in English folklore, darting through legend in Sherwood Forest. Yet discussions in the past trie...
Who is Queen Mab? Queen of the Fairies in Folklore or in Literature?
20 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Queen of the Fairies is sometimes named Queen Mab, depending on the source material. She's also known as the Queen of Elfland, the Queen of Elpham...
Elves in Germanic Folklore with Rose Aurora
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For this month's episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I'm thrilled to bring you a chat with Rose Aurora! Rose is a fairy seer & sorceress, spec...
Meet Herne the Hunter: Fact, Fiction, or Folklore?
13 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
To some, Herne the Hunter is a ghost associated with Windsor Great Park. He haunts the tree where he died, rattling his chains and raging against...we...
King Arthur in Folklore: A Sleeping King Or A Giant?
06 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Few figures loom as large in British legend as King Arthur. Noble king, fair-minded monarch, mighty warrior - Arthur ends up taking on all of these ro...
The Folklore of Hill Figures: White Horses and Naked Giants
30 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The hill figures of southern England are enigmatic artworks, standing out with their stark white lines against the green grass of their home slopes. T...
Folklore of Barrows: Tales of Fairies, Gods, Ghosts, & the Devil
23 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Whether we're looking at barrows, cromlechs, or dolmens, ancient burial sites hold a certain fascination. They're linked with all manner of supernatu...
The Myth of Atlantis and Lemuria with Sian Ingham
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For this month's episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I'm thrilled to bring you a chat with Sian Ingham! Sian Ingham is a writer and editor, best k...
Folklore of Stone Circles: Petrified Dancers and Countless Stones
16 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mention stone circles to many people, and they'll think of people gathering at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise. Or hulking megaliths looming out of th...
The Folklore of Standing Stones, Megaliths, and Menhirs
09 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There's something awesome yet eerie about encountering a standing stone in the landscape. Why is it there? Who put it there? And how did they put it t...
The Folklore of Wells: Healing, Wishing, Divining, and Cursing
02 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Archaeological evidence reveals a close relationship between people and the spiritual world back to the Bronze Age, often enacted through water. Sprin...
The Folklore of Forest Protectors and Guardians
24 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Forests are ambivalent places, both beautiful and tranquil, yet also dangerous to the unwary. They've always been a source of resources for people, wh...
Fungi Folklore, Or the Mysterious Forest Fruit
17 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Mushrooms have captured humanity's attention for thousands of years. But they still confuse us. Mushrooms spring up overnight, many of them are dang...
Legends of Love from Pakistan with Komal Salman
14 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this month's Valentine's Day-themed episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I'm thrilled to bring you a chat with Komal Salman! Komal Salman is a c...
The Folklore of Woodland Trees: Alder, Birch & Blackthorn
10 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Trees are some of humanity's best friends, providing oxygen, storing carbon, and even improving the soil where they grow. Some are flashy and famous ...
Folklore of Woodland Plants: Cowslips, Forget-Me-Nots, Lily of the Valley, Primroses & Red Campion
03 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Certain plants evoke particular areas, like grasslands, meadows, hedgerows, or gardens. Others are full of the mystery of the forest, splashing colour...
The Ambiguous Nature of Fairies with Morgan Daimler
28 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this month's episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I'm thrilled to bring you a chat with Morgan Daimler! Morgan is an independent folklorist who ...
The Ghosts of Culloden Moor: Lost Soldiers on the Battlefield
27 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Culloden Moor is perhaps one of the saddest sites in the British Isles, the battlefield that played host to a massacre. It was also the last battle to...
Legends of Denbigh Moors: Ghosts, Snow and the Tylwyth Teg
20 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The Denbigh Moors, or Mynydd Hiraethog, lie in north Wales. At its highest point, it's higher than Exmoor. The moors are a wild, desolate place, home...
Exmoor Folklore: Witches, Ghosts, and Fantastic Beasts
13 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The name 'Exmoor' conjures mental images of ponies, undulating moorland, and Lorna Doone, R D Blackmore's 1869 novel. It crosses the Somerset and Dev...
Newcastle's Town Moor: Fairs, Witches, and Common Land
06 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you say 'moor' to most people, they might think of Wuthering Heights, Dartmoor, or Bodmin. You probably won't immediately think of the Town Moor t...
50 Berkeley Square: The Most Haunted House in London
30 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If I asked you to name "the most haunted house in London", you probably wouldn't pick Berkeley Square as your location. Yet for almost a century, No....
A Welsh Christmas Story with Owen Staton
23 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Merry Christmas Eve Eve! In honour of the festive season, it's my absolute pleasure to welcome Owen Staton of the Time Between Times podcast to Fabulo...
Herbalism & the Plant Path with Sarah Corbett
17 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I’m thrilled to be speaking to Sarah Corbett from Rowan + Sage is this special extra edition of Fabulous Folklore Presents! Sarah (she/her) is a ...
Tower of London Ghosts: From Anne Boleyn to the Phantom Bear
16 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Tower of London has been many things through its over 900 years of history. Royal palace, fortress, menagerie, armoury, treasury, Royal Mint, publ...
The Norse Legends and Runes with Dr Thomas Birkett
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month, I've got the joy of introducing you to Dr Thomas Birkett, a lecturer in Old English and Old Norse at University College Cork, Ireland. He ...
Two London Ghosts and Messages from Beyond the Grave
09 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's a particular branch of ghost stories that sees the dead appear to warn the living of their own impending death. They act as a form of death om...
The Hammersmith Ghost: The 1803 Hoax That Went Wrong
02 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Given the sheer age of London and the number of people that have passed through its gates over the centuries, it would be difficult to imagine it not ...
Glastonbury Tor: The Ancient Entrance to the Fairy Otherworld
25 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to hills and mountains in the British Isles, perhaps one hill feels more mystical than many others...and that's Glastonbury Tor. Standin...
Italian Folk Magic & Shamanism with Dr Angela Puca
22 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month, I've got the joy of introducing you to Dr Angela Puca, who holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in philosophy. In 2021, The Univer...
Rescuing a Maiden: Dragon Legends on the Drachenfels
18 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If we head to the Siebengeberge uplands in Germany, we'll find a hill named the Drachenfels near Königswinter. It stands at 321 m and the name transl...
Fairy Legends of the Bannau Brycheiniog
11 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're off to the gorgeous surroundings of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) this week for the Folklore of Mountains and Hills. According to M...
The Folklore of the Cheviots: Ghosts, Fairies & Smugglers
04 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There's something both primal and ancient about mountains. Beautiful and remote, they can provide a harsh and unforgiving environment for those who ve...
Two Ghost Hunters in Conversation at Newcastle Castle
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Hallowe'en! For a special 'festive' bonus, I recorded this episode at Newcastle Castle. I'm chatting with my fellow Geordie ghosthunter, Rob Kir...
Magical October 4 - Welsh Magical Practice & Myth with Mhara Starling
28 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
To close this month-long series on Fabulous Folklore about magical practice and witchcraft in the 21st century, I'm chatting to Mhara Starling, a Wels...
Explore Ancient & Medieval Britain with Amy Jeffs
26 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month, I've got the joy of introducing you to Amy Jeffs, the Somerset-based art historian and printmaker beyond the books Storyland and Wild. She...
The History of Folk Witchcraft with Amaya Rourke
21 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As part of a month-long series on Fabulous Folklore about magical practice and witchcraft in the 21st century, I'm chatting to Amaya Rourke, an Irelan...
Magical October 2 - Connecting with Nature with Emma Kathryn
14 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As part of a month-long series on Fabulous Folklore about magical practice and witchcraft in the 21st century, I'm chatting to Emma Kathryn, a Notting...
Magical October 1 - Shetland Folk Magic & Tarot with Una Blyth
07 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I'm kicking off a month-long series on Fabulous Folklore by talking to magical practitioners and witches in the 21st century. This week, I chat to Ùn...
Haunted Libraries: Footsteps and Shushes in the Stacks
30 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Haunted libraries became famous with Ghostbusters. Our heroes investigate disturbances at the New York Public Library and encounter a ghost that tells...
Haunted Prisons: Ghosts of Joliet, Shepton Mallet, and Barlinnie
23 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
While schools and universities boast urban legends alongside ghosts, prisons tend to be more like hospitals. You find tales of hauntings, but little i...
The Folklore of Wales: Ghosts with Delyth Badder and Mark Norman
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This month, I've got the absolute pleasure of bringing back not one but two previous guests, since they've only gone and written a book together! Yes...
Haunted Hospitals: Porters, Matrons, and Past Patients
16 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If you go looking for ghost stories, you very quickly stumble across haunted hospitals. In fact, it was finding so many tales about Cardiff Royal Infi...
University Folklore: Ghosts and Exam Failure Curses
09 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In a lot of ways, it's hardly surprising there is a lot of university folklore. People are away from home, often for the first time, in a strange envi...
School Folklore: Ghosts, Black Dogs, and Cautionary Tales
02 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Think back to the schools you've attended. Did they have a Grey Lady in a disused corridor? A hell hound in a supply cupboard? A secret tunnel to a ne...
Belfast Ghost Stories: A Prison, a Market, and a Railway Station
26 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland, and its site has been occupied since the Bronze Age. It's been a major port since the 19th century, and th...
Cardiff Folklore: Ghosts, Tunnels, and Creatures in the Taff
19 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Cardiff, capital of Wales, has a history that dates back some 6000 years. Naturally, it's amassed a lot of legends in all that time. They include sec...
Fabulous Folklore Presents...The Trickster Archetype with Shepherd Siegel
16 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this 14th episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I chat with Dr Shepherd Siegel about the trickster archetype. Dr Siegel is the author of Tricking ...
The Mysterious Miniature Coffins found on Edinburgh's Arthur's Seat
12 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Arthur's Seat is the ancient, extinct volcano that lies just a mile to the east of Edinburgh Castle. Myths cling to its peak like mist in the autumn, ...
Exploring the myths of the Charterhouse Plague Pit
05 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Charterhouse area of London has played host to a monastery, a School, and university buildings...as well as the Charterhouse Plague Pit. Yet th...
Meet Minerva, Goddess of Intellect, Inspiration & the Arts
29 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Minerva was the Roman goddess associated with all things intelligence, crafts-related, and military strategy. How did she combine so many disciplines?...
Mythology & Graphic Novels with Daniel Clarke
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this 13th episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I chat with Daniel Clarke, a Cape Town-based artist, illustrator and animator who has worked with ...
Meet Vulcan, Roman God of Fire, Volcanoes and Blacksmiths
22 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For some among you, Vulcan conjures mental images of Star Trek, with the name being that of the planet Spock calls home. For others, you'll know Vulca...
Meet Juno, Queen of the Gods and Protector of the Roman State
15 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Depending on who you ask, Juno is either a NASA space probe studying Jupiter, or she's the Roman queen of the gods, wife of Jupiter, god of thunder. ...
Meet Silvanus, Roman god of the wild and nature
08 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Roman mythology offers plenty of gods associated with the natural world - just look at Neptune and his dominion over the sea, or Luna's role as goddes...
What Are Redcaps And Why Should You Avoid Their Lair?
24 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For the unwary visitor to their lair, redcaps can be deeply dangerous creatures. These malevolent little folk are classified ‘goblins’ and that’...
Fabulous Folklore Announcement!!
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
I have an announcement to make... I have a folklore book coming out! Rebel Folklore: Empowering Tales of Spirits, Witches and Other Misfits from Anan...
What is the legend of the Brinkburn Bells in Northumberland?
17 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Church bells appear in a range of ways within folklore. Sometimes they continue to ring far beneath the waves in a church under the sea. Or perhaps th...
Tales of Northern Vampires: Ancient Revenants in the Borders and Cumbria
10 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You might not expect to see northern vampires among the tales of Northumberland, the Borders and Cumbria. But they're there! William de Newburgh incl...
Are the Dancing Fairies of Northumbria Benign or Malevolent?
03 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Tales of fairies exist all over the world, and there are hundreds to choose from right here in the British Isles. Yet they often have a particular 'fl...
4 Amsterdam Ghost Stories from the City of Canals
27 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Never mind canals, famous nightlife, and beautiful architecture - there is another side to the Dutch capital, one full of supernatural terrors and biz...
4 Barcelona Ghost Stories from the Catalonian Capital
20 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Barcelona lies on the Mediterranean Coast in Catalonia. It's a gorgeous city, famous for architect Antoni Gaudí, artist Joan Miró and writer Carlos ...
4 Paris Ghost Stories from the City of Light
13 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The City of Light is an architectural and cultural wonder, packed with history, art, great food, and music. But there are also ghosts in Paris, loiter...
3 creepy tales of the Devil, the helpful dead, and ghosts in Venice
06 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The Jewel of the Adriatic is a gorgeous wonder, filled with masks, bridges, alleyways, and mystery. But there are also ghosts in Venice, often only se...
Folklore of Thistles: Protection from Evil, Predicting Rain, and a Mental Boost
29 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Thistles are a beautiful plant, and the beloved floral emblem of Scotland. But looks can be deceiving and thistles are considered an invasive plant. ...
Folklore of Daisies: Love Divination and Daisy Chains
22 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Daisies are a familiar sight at this time of the year in the UK, popping up in lawns and on grass verges. Their proliferation, particularly on lawns, ...
Fabulous Folklore Presents...Queer as Folklore
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this 12th episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I chat with Sacha Coward, a queer historian who has been working in museums for the past 15 years....
The Folklore of Nettles: Edible Stings, Returning Curses, and Warding off Evil
15 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Most people at some point will have experienced the pain of a nettle sting. I once managed to fall hands-first from a fence into a whole patch of nett...
Celandine Folklore: A Remedy To Keep Away Witches?
08 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Plants often become unwanted plants when they're especially prolific. Celandine is one such plant, quickly spreading to fill an area with its glossy g...