Fabulous Folklore with Icy
Episodes
Money Folklore: Coins, Wishes, and Fairy Gold
27 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Money folklore covers the ways people try to use coins to bring luck, offer protection, or even bind a deal. Find out about the way people have used...
Using Amulets: The Folklore of Protection, Luck & Boosting Health
20 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Called both lucky charms or amulets, certain objects have a long history of protecting people, bringing luck, or boosting health. Find out about the...
Love Magic and Folklore: How to Create Visions of Your Beloved
13 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Love magic offers perhaps one of the most popular types of ritual. Find out about the charms and divination people used to find love in this week's ep...
Home Protection the Folklore Way: Apotropaic Magic
06 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Home protection now involves tech, but in earlier times, people resorted to more magical means. Find out what they were in this week's episode of F...
Star Gazing: Constellation Origin Myths and Star Superstitions
30 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What ancient stories and legends do the stars spell out for us? Find out in this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore, with these constellation orig...
The Origin Myths of the Zodiac's Water Signs
23 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The signs of the Zodiac each have their own origin myths. In this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's look at the legends behind the water s...
The Origin Myths of the Zodiac's Air Signs
16 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The signs of the Zodiac each have their own origin myths. In this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's look at the legends behind the air sig...
Origin Myths of the Zodiac's Earth Signs
09 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The signs of the Zodiac each have their own origin myths. In this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's look at the legends behind the earth s...
The Origin Myths of the Zodiac's Fire Signs
02 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The signs of the Zodiac each have their own origin myths. In this week's episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's look at the legends behind the fire si...
Why do we tell ghost stories at Christmas?
21 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Perhaps more than Halloween, Midwinter is often a time traditionally associated with ghost stories. But why do we tell ghost stories at this time of y...
Why do people still see ghostly monks in the UK?
19 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Among the nations of the UK, sightings of ghostly monks still appear from time to time. But why are they such common figures to manifest? Let's fin...
Exploring Strange Tales Of Civil War Ghosts In England
12 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Tales of Civil War ghosts are common in England, whose Civil War marked a bloody 9 year period. Let's explore haunted battlefields and pubs in this...
These 5 UK Castles Feature A Green Lady Ghost
05 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Grey or white ladies are famous in British ghost stories. But what about the Green Lady? Some think she's a nature elemental, others a fairy woman. O...
Hawthorn Folklore: Fairies and the May Day tree
28 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The hawthorn is believed to be the fairy tree and it's unlucky to bring indoors. What other folklore should you know about this magical tree? Find ou...
Elder Trees: Medicine, Protection, and Witches
21 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Elder trees are a common sight in the UK. They're also complex, between protection from and for witches. Which of these roles is true? Learn more o...
Churches, Death and Resurrection: The Yew in Folklore
14 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Yew trees are often the oldest trees found in ancient churchyards. But what do they represent, and how do they appear in British folklore? And is the...
How to use rowan to protect your house (and livestock)
07 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Rowan is a popular tree for protection against witchcraft and fairies. You often find its wood or branches being used in building work, or even to hau...
Halloween Fiction: Icy Reads 'The Dead-House'
31 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Earlier today I published an episode about the folklore of the dead house. I wrote a short story inspired by this folklore, which you can now find ...
The Folklore and Ghosts of the Dead House
31 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The dead house was a common occurrence in the days before refrigerated mortuaries. People stored bodies at the graveyard in the dead house prior to...
Meet Charon: the legendary ferryman of Greek myth!
24 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Charon, the ancient ferryman of Greek myth, is one of those figures that pops up even where other deities get ignored or forgotten. Sometimes people s...
Why Is The Fetch Seen As A Death Omen in Irish Folklore?
17 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The fetch appears in folklore as an apparition seen when another is apparently dead or dying. But what is it? Is it always a death omen? And why do...
Why is the Bean Nighe seen as an omen of death in folklore?
10 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You've probably heard about the banshee, announcing deaths with her keening cry. But what of the 'washerwoman of the ford', the Bean Nighe? She haunt...
Autumn Superstitions: Conkers, Roses, and Falling Leaves
03 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The 'season of mists and mellow fruitfulness' is upon us again! It's a time of harvest, and watching the natural world prepare for sleep. In days g...
Why did these 3 hybrid mythical beasts fall out of fashion?
26 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Not all mythological creatures are as popular as the unicorn or dragon. Some of the more strange hybrid mythical beasts, like the manticore, Chimer...
Unicorns: The Myths & Legends Behind the Glitter & Rainbows
19 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Unicorns might be more popular as children's decorations, or even as 'themes' in makeup collections for adults. But how do these gentle creatures app...
Dragons in Folklore: The Lambton Worm and the Laidly Worm
12 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There are tales of dragons in folklore all over the world. But how do the worm tales of northern England differ from traditional dragon legends? Let'...
Folk-a-pa-lore-za Part 2 of 2!
07 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Part 2 of this special edition of Fabulous Folklore - the 2020 Folk-a-pa-lore-za! In August, 12 folklore podcasts from the UK, US, and Au...
Griffins of Legend: A Tale of Fossils, Guardians, and Heraldry
05 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Griffins are popular symbols in art and heraldry. They're also common statues outside banks and stately homes. But what legends are associated with t...
Folk-a-pa-lore-za Part 1 of 2
31 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to this special edition of Fabulous Folklore - the 2020 Folk-a-pa-lore-za! In August, 12 folklore podcasts from the UK, US, and Australia (i...
Sleep Folklore: Demons, Poppies, and Saving Your Soul
29 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sleep is a mysterious process, yet it's also when we're most vulnerable. For centuries, people have developed ways to protect themselves, get a good n...
Plague Folklore: Strange Doctors, Cures, and the Black Death
22 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
From strange remedies involving live pigeons to supernatural theories of its cause, there is plenty of plague folklore throughout history. How much...
The Tooth Fairy: Buying Teeth Since 1900
15 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The loss of your first tooth is a pretty important event in your life. Providing you carefully place the tooth under your pillow and leave it for the ...
Elf-Shot: Old English Medicine and Magical Remedies
08 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
People often believe Old English medicine would be primitive or superstitious. Yet one remedy found in a 9th century medical text can cure MRSA. What...
Need healing? You Need Aesculapius, Roman God of Medicine
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Aesculapius was the Roman God of Healing and Medicine (Asclepius in Greece). But who is he and why is he such a fascinating figure in the study of an...
The Boy Who Lost His Shadow: Shadow People, Doubles, and Peter Pan
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Shadows have become associated with all things dark and dangerous. Is that fair? And where on earth did the stories of the Shadow People come from?...
Numbers in folklore: Why are 3, 7 and 9 important?
18 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of fairy tales, you'll often notice patterns in the numbers that appear. Think of the three bears, the seven dwarves, or seven-league b...
How are reflections important in western folklore?
11 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Reflections, or their lack, appear within horror tales and superstitions alike. Beyond vampires, how are reflections important in western folklore?...
Spells & Scrying: Mirrors in Magic, Mythology & Folklore
04 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mirrors are often linked with witches, like Snow White's Evil Queen. Used for scrying, or divination, and casting spells, mirrors hold pride of place ...
Meet 3 Famous Witches of Legend: Befana, Baba Yaba & Circe
27 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Witches in history often meet a sorry fate. The fates of witches like the Pendle Witches, the Witches of Warboys, and Isobel Gowdie are well known. B...
The Summer Solstice: Myths and Madness of Midsummer
20 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The summer solstice is often known as midsummer. But is it really an ancient pagan festival? In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's some of the...
Explore the Surprising Truth about Necromancy
13 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Is necromancy really about raising the dead, or is it a form of artful divination? In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's explore this strange...
What Charms Did Witches Use In Their Magic Spells?
06 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Pop culture lets witches speak cool or pithy charms. But what charms did actually witches use in reality? In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let...
How are the Heinzelmännchen related to the Elves and the Shoemaker?
30 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Most people have heard the story of the Elves & the Shoemaker, but what is the Heinzelmännchen variation associated with Cologne, Germany? In th...
Spinning in Folklore: Impossible Bets and Crafting With the Fates
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
There are many tales of spinning in folklore, often involving trickery or the creation of fate. In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's meet th...
Weaving in Mythology: Creating Fate and Fantastic Images
16 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many cultures have myths involving creator deities or legendary figures who weave fate into a tapestry of destiny. In this episode of Fabulous Folklo...
Blacksmith Gods: Making Magical Items of Myth and Mayhem
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many cultures have myths involving blacksmith gods, or creatures that forge magical items for the gods. In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's ...
Blacksmiths of Legend: Wicked Wizards of Metal and Flame
02 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Blacksmiths have long been revered and feared thanks to their skills with fire and metal. In legend, saints and sinners play the role of smith. Let's...
Weather Lore: A Tale of Portents and Omens
25 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Humans love knowing what lies in the future and predicting the weather is no different. But how does weather lore differ from the wacky world of super...
Persephone: Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Dead
18 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Most people know Persephone due to her abduction by the god Hades. But how does she balance her role as spring goddess and Queen of the Dead? Let's...
Jack-in-the-Green and the Green Man: One and the Same?
11 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
You'll find the Jack-in-the-Green as part of May Day celebrations around England. But he's sometimes confused with or linked with the famous 'Green Ma...
What Do Eggs, Bunnies, and Bonnets Have to Do With Easter?
04 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We often associate eggs, rabbits, and fancy hats with Easter. But where did these links come from? And was the festival really named after an ancient ...
A Joker in the Pack: The Folklore of Playing Cards
28 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of fortune telling, you'll probably think of tarot cards. You wouldn't think of playing cards - they're for poker and bridge, right? Wr...
Fortune-Telling Made Easy: 4 Strange Forms of Divination
21 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
People often turn to fortune-telling for comfort in times of crisis. They might suddenly try augury, phrenology, tasseography, and many more, just to ...
From the Fool to the World: The History and Folklore of Tarot Cards
14 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When you think of fortune telling, you might think of tarot cards. Perhaps you think of a woman poring over strange images in a darkened room. Or mayb...
Meet Fortuna, Goddess of Luck, Abundance, and Fate
07 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Need to bring a little luck or good fortune into your life? Click here to learn about Fortuna, the Roman goddess of all things fortunate. But beware t...
Who was Spring-heeled Jack, the Victorian scourge of London?
29 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Spring-heeled Jack looms large in Victorian folklore, springing through gaslit streets. Who was he and why did he terrorise London's streets? Let'...
Inviting Sin-Eaters to a Funeral: Fact or Folklore?
22 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sin-eaters appear in Welsh records back to the 1680s. Though there is some dispute as to whether the custom was genuine, or misinterpreted by an over-...
Cemetery superstitions: How to avoid bad luck in a graveyard
15 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Cemeteries are either fascinating monuments to social history, or eerie gardens populated by the dead. There are also a plethora of superstitions that...
Roses are Red: The Sinister Side of Valentine's Day Folklore
08 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sending mean cards? Eating mashed earthworms? Using jack o’lanterns to light medieval love banquets? They’re all surprising yet vaguely sinister w...
Premature Burial: Lived Once, Buried Twice
01 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Fears around premature burial were very real in earlier centuries, leading to the invention of devices like the cemetery bell. But how many of the sto...
Moths in Folklore: Bringers of Death and Letters
25 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Moths are the darker twin of the butterfly, representing death, bad omens, and...getting letters! They're also linked to urban legends through the fig...
Rats in Folklore: Signs of Bad Luck and Harbingers of Doom
18 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Many associate rats with portents of doom or incoming bad luck. But how else do they appear in folklore and superstition? Find out more about them ...
Bats in Folklore: Vampires, Familiars and Death Omens
11 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bats are fascinating creatures and they're helpful to humans. But they fall foul of old folklore and superstitions about them - people once saw them a...
Boost your New Year with Twelfth Night folklore!
04 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The presents have long been opened. No one can find anything decent to watch on TV. It feels weird to still say 'Merry Christmas' so we've all switche...
What is first-footing and can it improve your year?
28 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's almost the turn of a new year, and while many of us are thinking of setting resolutions for the year ahead, others are planning how to make it th...
A Ghost Story for Christmas
21 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Telling ghost stories at Christmas is a time-honoured tradition, from Charles Dickens and his Christmas Carol, to the BBC adaptations of MR James ghos...
What strange folklore lies behind mistletoe and Christmas?
14 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Mistletoe seems a natural part of modern Christmas decorations. But why has it become linked with kissing during the festive period? Find out in this ...
What are the festive links with holly and Christmas?
07 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Holly and Christmas go together like bacon and eggs...but where did the links first come from? And who is the Holly King, who must battle the Oak King...
Who Is Krampus And How Is He Linked To Christmas?
30 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Krampus, sometimes seen as the Anti Santa, emerged into the mainstream in 2015 with his own movie. But who is he and how is he linked to Christmas? Fi...
Book Review 03 - Tudor Folk Tales & The Pre-Raphaelite Language of Flowers
28 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I review Tudor Folk Tales and The Pre-Raphaelite Language of Flowers! Find out more about Tudor Folk Tales here - http://www.icysedg...
Who are the Knockers of Cornish folklore?
23 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Knockers, Bucca, Tommyknockers; they're all mysterious spirits who live in mines. But who are they, and why do they warn miners of cave-ins? Find out ...
What 4 weird things you might find at an English crossroads?
16 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Crossroads appear in folklore and myths all over the world. What 4 weird things might you encounter if you ventured down to an English crossroads at d...
Are the Simonside dwarfs like the miners of Middle Earth?
09 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Simonside Dwarfs live in the hills near Rothbury. They lurk in the darkness, ready to lure unwitting travellers to their doom. Let's go and meet t...
Dartmoor: Home of Hairy Hands, Spectral Dogs, and the Watching Place
02 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Dartmoor conjures images of wild, untamed beauty. But amid the forbidding landscape hide spectral dogs, hairy hands, and weird places with names like ...
Halloween spells for Protection, Romance & Loved Ones
26 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
October 31 is a time of spookiness and chills. But it's also a powerful time of magic and fortune telling. In this episode, find out about some simple...
Why do we use the jack o' lantern at Halloween?
19 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Jack o' Lantern, like trick or treating and fancy dress, is synonymous with Halloween. But why do we use them, and where does the custom come from...
The Broomstick In Folklore: The Witch's Ideal Transport
12 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We've all seen images of witches astride a broomstick, zooming through the night sky. But where does the image come from, and what other folklore exis...
Book Review 02 - The Magpie & The Wardrobe and A Treasure of British Folklore
10 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Here's this month's book review episode! Check out A Treasury of British Folklore by Dee Dee Chainey: http://www.icysedgwick.com/treasury-of-british-...
Why do so many people fear the number 13?
05 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Some people fear the number 13 so much they take the day off work! So why is it such a reviled number? Where did that association come from? Find out ...
Cats In Folklore: Not Just A Witch’s Familiar
28 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
There are plenty of tales about cats in folklore, from the tales of ancient Egypt to superstitions around having cats on board ship. As Halloween appr...
Who or what is the Vampire Rabbit of Newcastle upon Tyne?
21 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you venture behind Cathedral Buildings in Newcastle upon Tyne, you'll find a rather unusual grotesque perched on a lintel. But why is the Vampire R...
Time Slips: Urban Legend, Ghost Story, or Utter Nonsense?
15 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Moberly-Jourdain Incident is the most famous of the time slip stories, when two academics appeared to encounter Marie Antoinette in the gardens of...
Who is the Phantom Hitchhiker that haunts the Blackwall Tunnel?
07 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Lonely stretches of roads often host tales of a phantom hitchhiker or two. London's notorious Blackwall Tunnel is no exception. Who is the spectral hi...
Book Review 01 - Witchcraft Titles by Willow Winsham
01 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We're starting a new monthly feature here on Fabulous Folklore - the book review! Every month, I'll review one or more books either about folklore, or...
Psychogeography and Folklore: Walking the City's Legends
31 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Psychogeography is a practice that involves 'walking the city' as an observer. Pick a starting point, set off on foot, and pay attention to your surro...
What is alchemy and did it ever work?
24 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many think alchemy was the process of turning lead into gold. Was there more to it than that, and did it ever work? Find out in this episode! Check o...
The Brazen Head: Medieval Prophecy Machine or Tall Tale?
17 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The brazen head is a legendary automaton capable of answering any question you ask of it. Was it a real fortune telling machine, or a tall medieval ta...
John Dee: The Magician and the Devil in Manchester
10 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
John Dee is a fascinating Elizabethan figure linked with the occult. But did this magician really conjure the devil while living in Manchester? Find o...
Daemonologie: Or, How A King Whipped Up a Witch Craze
03 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
King James I wrote *Daemonologie* as his manifesto about witches. But how influential was it? And what impact did it have on 17th century witch hunts?...
Witches' Familiars: The Good, the Bad, and the Weird
27 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many think of cats or toads when they think of witches' familiars. But what else acted as familiars? And what did they actually do? Find out about the...
What were the three types of water nymph in ancient Greece?
20 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The naiads, nereids and oceanids were all water nymphs in ancient Greek mythology. But who were they and what made them different from each other? Wer...
Why do people confuse sirens with mermaids?
13 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Many think sirens were beautiful creatures who sang to lure sailors to their death. But why do images show them with fish tails when they were bird wo...
Are the mermaids of folklore as vicious as the legends suggest?
06 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
People believe mermaids are either sweet sea-dwelling souls who dream of dry land, or vicious monsters who lure sailors to their deaths. Which is more...
Are selkies as dangerous as mermaids and sirens?
29 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Selkies appear in the folklore of Ireland, Scotland, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland. But are they as dangerous as mermaids or sirens? Find out in this...
Thomas The Rhymer and His Predilection For Prediction
22 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Thomas the Rhymer pops up in British folklore as a 13th-century prophet. How did he get the gift of prediction and how did he link to fairies? Find ou...
How To Make A Fairy Friendly Garden Using Folklore
15 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
If you're not deterred by the dark tales of the fey folk, what trees or flowers should you plant to create a fairy friendly garden? And what kind of g...
Who are the Rothley fairies and what happens if you cross them?
08 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Northumberland features many tales of the fey folk - and the Rothley fairies appear in not one but two stories! But what exactly happens if you cross ...
What happened when a midwife met the fairies in Northumberland?
01 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Fairies are actually tricksters, not the sweet cherubs of Disney. So what happened when a midwife in Northumberland was hired to deliver a fairy baby?...
Beetles Folklore: Scarabs, Stags, and the Deathwatch
25 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
With thousands of species of beetle on Earth, what folklore surrounds them? Learn about scarabs, stag beetles, and the Deathwatch beetle in this week'...
Ladybird Folklore: Good Fortune and Nursery Rhymes
18 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Symbol of good luck and modern-day pest control, the ladybird appears throughout the folklore of many cultures. In this episode, we're going to explor...