It’s hard to tell which area of a person’s life attracts the most magic and ritual: love or money. Ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with wanting more of either of them. Folklore bursts at the seams with various charms and practices to help people bring more money and love into their life. In this post, we’ll […]
folklore
Home Protection the Folklore Way: Apotropaic Magic
People have tried to deter malevolent spirits over the centuries. From planting rowan trees by their door to keep witches out, to hanging horseshoes above the door to keep evil out, people have used a range of protective devices. Known as apotropaic magic, these items were their first line of home protection defence against both […]
The Ghost: A Cultural History [Book Review]
The Ghost: A Cultural History (2017)Susan OwensLondon: TATE Ghosts offer a curious phenomenon for those who would care to look. Their longevity is astonishing, with tales of hauntings dating back to the writings of Pliny the Younger. They also feature an astounding evolution in form, motivation, and effects, changing as they do to suit the […]
These 5 UK Castles Feature A Green Lady Ghost
We’ve all heard of castles and stately homes having a White Lady, or a Grey Lady. I’ve already written about the Grey Lady of the Newcastle Assembly Rooms. Based on that fact, I’d made the point on Twitter that spectral ladies often appear as pink, white, or grey. Lots of people told me they’d also […]
Elder Trees: Medicine, Protection, and Witches
Elder trees are a common sight in the UK. Their frothy white flowers dip from hedgerows. Then the sprays of dark berries lend themselves to elderberry cordial or wine. But there’s a stranger side to the elder tree. Beloved for its ability to protect one from witches, they’re also believed to be witches in disguise. […]
Churches, Death and Resurrection: The Yew in Folklore
Yew (Taxus baccata) is a very poisonous tree, appearing in both English legend and folklore. Source of the wood for our famous longbows, it also stands guard over churchyards and sacred sites. The trees also grow to ancient ages, with some even believed to be as old as 2,500 years. True, it’s difficult to ‘date’ […]
