Podcasts by Fabulous Folklore with Icy

The Folklore and Ghosts of the Dead House from 2020-10-31T09:30:12

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 a regular burial, an...

Meet Charon: the legendary ferryman of Greek myth! from 2020-10-24T08:30:10

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 simply call him ‘the ferryman’ and h...

Why Is The Fetch Seen As A Death Omen in Irish Folklore? from 2020-10-17T08:30:15

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 people keep seeing t...

Why is the Bean Nighe seen as an omen of death in folklore? from 2020-10-10T08:30:12

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 haunts rivers and pools i...

Autumn Superstitions: Conkers, Roses, and Falling Leaves from 2020-10-03T08:30:12

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 gone by, autumn was al...

Why did these 3 hybrid mythical beasts fall out of fashion? from 2020-09-26T08:30:15

Not all mythological creatures are as popular as the unicorn or dragon. 

Some of the more strange hybrid mythical beasts, like the manticore, Chimera, and cockatrice, ha...

Unicorns: The Myths & Legends Behind the Glitter & Rainbows from 2020-09-19T08:30:11

Unicorns might be more popular as children's decorations, or even as 'themes' in makeup collections for adults.

But how do these gentle creatures appear in legend? Where...

Dragons in Folklore: The Lambton Worm and the Laidly Worm from 2020-09-12T08:30:18

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's learn more about t...

Folk-a-pa-lore-za Part 2 of 2! from 2020-09-07T10:00:10

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 Australia (including Fa...

Griffins of Legend: A Tale of Fossils, Guardians, and Heraldry from 2020-09-05T08:30:15

Griffins are popular symbols in art and heraldry. They're also common statues outside banks and stately homes.

But what legends are associated with these mythical beasts...

Folk-a-pa-lore-za Part 1 of 2 from 2020-08-31T18:45:55

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 (including Fabulous Fol...

Sleep Folklore: Demons, Poppies, and Saving Your Soul from 2020-08-29T08:30:12

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 night's sleep, and even keep others ...

Plague Folklore: Strange Doctors, Cures, and the Black Death from 2020-08-22T08:30:07

From strange remedies involving live pigeons to supernatural theories of its cause, there is plenty of plague folklore throughout history. 

How much of it is true?

The Tooth Fairy: Buying Teeth Since 1900 from 2020-08-15T08:30:10

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 Tooth Fairy, it can also be your fi...

Elf-Shot: Old English Medicine and Magical Remedies from 2020-08-08T08:30:07

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 did people believe ...

Need healing? You Need Aesculapius, Roman God of Medicine from 2020-08-01T08:30:16

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 ancient Greece and Rom...

The Boy Who Lost His Shadow: Shadow People, Doubles, and Peter Pan from 2020-07-25T08:30:08

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?

We'l...

Numbers in folklore: Why are 3, 7 and 9 important? from 2020-07-18T08:30:11

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 boots. 

But how and ...

How are reflections important in western folklore? from 2020-07-11T08:30:11

Reflections, or their lack, appear within horror tales and superstitions alike. 

Beyond vampires, how are reflections important in western folklore?

We'l...

Spells & Scrying: Mirrors in Magic, Mythology & Folklore from 2020-07-04T08:30:13

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 among magical traditions.

Meet 3 Famous Witches of Legend: Befana, Baba Yaba & Circe from 2020-06-27T14:44:18

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.

But what about the wi...

The Summer Solstice: Myths and Madness of Midsummer from 2020-06-20T08:30:05

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 ways that both the ...

Explore the Surprising Truth about Necromancy from 2020-06-13T09:30:10

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 practice that dates ...

What Charms Did Witches Use In Their Magic Spells? from 2020-06-06T09:30:06

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's check the historic...

How are the Heinzelmännchen related to the Elves and the Shoemaker? from 2020-05-30T09:30:14

Most people have heard the story of the Elves & the Shoemaker, but what is the Heinzelmännchen variation associated with Cologne, Germany?

In this episode of Fabulou...

Spinning in Folklore: Impossible Bets and Crafting With the Fates from 2020-05-23T12:42:27

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 the Fates from ancient ...

Weaving in Mythology: Creating Fate and Fantastic Images from 2020-05-16T09:30:11

Many cultures have myths involving creator deities or legendary figures who weave fate into a tapestry of destiny.

In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's meet the g...

Blacksmith Gods: Making Magical Items of Myth and Mayhem from 2020-05-09T10:41:59

Many cultures have myths involving blacksmith gods, or creatures that forge magical items for the gods.

In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let's meet the gods and ma...

Blacksmiths of Legend: Wicked Wizards of Metal and Flame from 2020-05-02T16:28:17

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 find out more about...

Weather Lore: A Tale of Portents and Omens from 2020-04-25T14:50:37

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 superstitions? 

Let's fi...

Persephone: Goddess of Spring and Queen of the Dead from 2020-04-18T09:30:07

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 find out more in thi...

Jack-in-the-Green and the Green Man: One and the Same? from 2020-04-11T10:30:45

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 Man' found in English churches.

What Do Eggs, Bunnies, and Bonnets Have to Do With Easter? from 2020-04-04T12:35:56

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 pagan goddess?

Let'...

A Joker in the Pack: The Folklore of Playing Cards from 2020-03-28T10:30:10

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? Wrong! You can absolutely use them fo...

Fortune-Telling Made Easy: 4 Strange Forms of Divination from 2020-03-21T10:30:10

People often turn to fortune-telling for comfort in times of crisis. They might suddenly try augury, phrenology, tasseography, and many more, just to get a sense of control over an unce...

From the Fool to the World: The History and Folklore of Tarot Cards from 2020-03-14T10:30:05

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 maybe you think they're evil, only capa...

Meet Fortuna, Goddess of Luck, Abundance, and Fate from 2020-03-07T10:30:15

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 the bad luck, too... 

Who was Spring-heeled Jack, the Victorian scourge of London? from 2020-02-29T10:30:13

Spring-heeled Jack looms large in Victorian folklore, springing through gaslit streets.

Who was he and why did he terrorise London's streets?

Let's fin...

Inviting Sin-Eaters to a Funeral: Fact or Folklore? from 2020-02-22T10:30:08

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-zealous scholar. Were they real, or...

Cemetery superstitions: How to avoid bad luck in a graveyard from 2020-02-15T10:30:15

Cemeteries are either fascinating monuments to social history, or eerie gardens populated by the dead. There are also a plethora of superstitions that dictate how a burial should happen...

Roses are Red: The Sinister Side of Valentine's Day Folklore from 2020-02-08T10:30:08

Sending mean cards? Eating mashed earthworms? Using jack o’lanterns to light medieval love banquets? They’re all surprising yet vaguely sinister ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. 

Premature Burial: Lived Once, Buried Twice from 2020-02-01T10:30:12

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 stories are true, and how many are mer...

Moths in Folklore: Bringers of Death and Letters from 2020-01-25T10:30:07

Moths are the darker twin of the butterfly, representing death, bad omens, and...getting letters! They're also linked to urban legends through the figure of the Mothman.

Rats in Folklore: Signs of Bad Luck and Harbingers of Doom from 2020-01-18T10:25:15

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 in this episode!

Bats in Folklore: Vampires, Familiars and Death Omens from 2020-01-11T09:44:34

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 as witches' familiars or evil death ...

Boost your New Year with Twelfth Night folklore! from 2020-01-04T10:30:09

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 switched to saying 'Happy New Year' instea...

What is first-footing and can it improve your year? from 2019-12-28T10:30:10

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 the 'best year ever'.

A Ghost Story for Christmas from 2019-12-21T10:30:07

Telling ghost stories at Christmas is a time-honoured tradition, from Charles Dickens and his Christmas Carol, to the BBC adaptations of MR James ghost stories! 

...

What strange folklore lies behind mistletoe and Christmas? from 2019-12-14T10:30:06

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 week's episode.

See...

What are the festive links with holly and Christmas? from 2019-12-07T10:30:13

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? Find out in this week's episode!<...

Who Is Krampus And How Is He Linked To Christmas? from 2019-11-30T10:59:53

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? Find out in this week's episode!

Book Review 03 - Tudor Folk Tales & The Pre-Raphaelite Language of Flowers from 2019-11-28T14:07:13

In this episode, I review Tudor Folk Tales and The Pre-Raphaelite Language of Flowers!

Find out more about Tudor Folk Tales here - Listen

Who are the Knockers of Cornish folklore? from 2019-11-23T12:01:43

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 in this week's episode!

What 4 weird things you might find at an English crossroads? from 2019-11-16T21:37:41

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 dusk?

See the blog p...

Are the Simonside dwarfs like the miners of Middle Earth? from 2019-11-09T11:45:28

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 them...

See the imag...

Dartmoor: Home of Hairy Hands, Spectral Dogs, and the Watching Place from 2019-11-02T13:29:08

Dartmoor conjures images of wild, untamed beauty. But amid the forbidding landscape hide spectral dogs, hairy hands, and weird places with names like the Watching Place. Learn more in t...

Halloween spells for Protection, Romance & Loved Ones from 2019-10-26T09:37:49

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 Halloween spells and divination yo...

Why do we use the jack o' lantern at Halloween? from 2019-10-19T10:11:14

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? Find out in this episode!

The Broomstick In Folklore: The Witch's Ideal Transport from 2019-10-12T12:08:48

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 exists about broomsticks?

Book Review 02 - The Magpie & The Wardrobe and A Treasure of British Folklore from 2019-10-10T20:26:04

Here's this month's book review episode!

Check out A Treasury of British Folklore by Dee Dee Chainey: Listen

Why do so many people fear the number 13? from 2019-10-05T11:30:37

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 in this week's episode of Fabulous ...

Cats In Folklore: Not Just A Witch’s Familiar from 2019-09-28T11:34:39

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 approaches, let's look at these fascina...

Who or what is the Vampire Rabbit of Newcastle upon Tyne? from 2019-09-21T12:57:04

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 Rabbit there? Find out in this episo...

Time Slips: Urban Legend, Ghost Story, or Utter Nonsense? from 2019-09-15T15:09:52

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 Versailles one August afternoon in...

Who is the Phantom Hitchhiker that haunts the Blackwall Tunnel? from 2019-09-07T11:29:39

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 hitchhiker and where did he come from...

Book Review 01 - Witchcraft Titles by Willow Winsham from 2019-09-01T22:48:50

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 fiction inspired by folklore.

Psychogeography and Folklore: Walking the City's Legends from 2019-08-31T15:13:47

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 surroundings. But can it be used as a wa...

What is alchemy and did it ever work? from 2019-08-24T11:48:47

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 out the images at the...

The Brazen Head: Medieval Prophecy Machine or Tall Tale? from 2019-08-17T11:34:38

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 tale? Find out in this week's episode...

John Dee: The Magician and the Devil in Manchester from 2019-08-10T12:05:52

John Dee is a fascinating Elizabethan figure linked with the occult. But did this magician really conjure the devil while living in Manchester? Find out in this week's episode.

Daemonologie: Or, How A King Whipped Up a Witch Craze from 2019-08-03T11:48:41

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? Find out in this episode!

Witches' Familiars: The Good, the Bad, and the Weird from 2019-07-27T12:44:15

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 good, the bad and the weird among ...

What were the three types of water nymph in ancient Greece? from 2019-07-20T12:31:06

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? Were any of them dangerous? And how ar...

Why do people confuse sirens with mermaids? from 2019-07-13T21:08:48

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 women? In this episode, we'll explore...

Are the mermaids of folklore as vicious as the legends suggest? from 2019-07-06T13:01:10

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 true? Find out in this week's epis...

Are selkies as dangerous as mermaids and sirens? from 2019-06-29T11:26:57

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 week's episode.

Se...

Thomas The Rhymer and His Predilection For Prediction from 2019-06-22T12:08:55

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 out in this week's episode.

How To Make A Fairy Friendly Garden Using Folklore from 2019-06-15T12:43:51

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 gardening practices should you adopt...

Who are the Rothley fairies and what happens if you cross them? from 2019-06-08T10:26:03

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 them? This episode looks at exactly...

What happened when a midwife met the fairies in Northumberland? from 2019-06-01T13:21:38

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?

Check out the acco...

Beetles Folklore: Scarabs, Stags, and the Deathwatch from 2019-05-25T13:54:19

With thousands of species of beetle on Earth, what folklore surrounds them? Learn about scarabs, stag beetles, and the Deathwatch beetle in this week's episode.

See the ...

Ladybird Folklore: Good Fortune and Nursery Rhymes from 2019-05-18T11:46:16

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 explore where ladybirds got their name, w...

The Dragonfly in Folklore: Good Luck Symbol & Weigher of Souls from 2019-05-11T16:37:54

The dragonfly is at once a symbol of prosperity and good luck in Asia, and also an evil omen in Europe. In this episode, learn more of the regional differences in dragonfly folklore. Listen

Why Are Bees Considered Such Good Luck In Folklore? from 2019-05-04T11:53:54

Bees hold an important place in folklore, representing a range of positive associations. But why are they considered symbols of good luck? Find out in this week's episode.

Butterflies in Folklore: Love, Death and the Soul from 2019-04-27T11:40:02

Butterflies aren't just a harbinger of summer. They also bring romance - and death. In this episode, learn more about their symbolism and superstitions.

Check out the ac...

Brân the Blessed: The Talking Head to Protect Britain from 2019-04-20T11:37:19

Brân the Blessed was believed to have gifted his head to protect Britain from invasion. Some believe it still lies beneath the Tower of London. We're looking at his story this week as a...

Drake's Drum: A Hero Slumbers Awaiting His Call from 2019-04-12T22:42:44

Tudor hero Sir Francis Drake left his drum behind, to be beat in times of national peril. Has anyone beaten Drake's Drum since his death in 1596? Lets find out!

See the ...

Can King Arthur be found sleeping under Sewingshields Castle? from 2019-04-05T21:40:41

King Arthur continues to hold a fascination for folklorists and the public alike. After all, the deeds of Arthur and his knights are now legendary. They’ve become part of Britain’s myth...

What Is The King In The Mountain Folklore Trope? from 2019-03-30T16:40:20

The King in the Mountain trope appears in both folklore and popular culture. But what is it and why does it crop up in so many legends? Find out in this week's episode!

...

Why are these 3 plants essential in a witch's toolkit? from 2019-03-23T12:47:12

Toxic plants have interesting folklore, but find out why henbane, wolfsbane and mandrake are an essential part of any witch's toolkit!

Find the images and further links ...

Candles and Folklore: Finding Spirits, Bringing Luck and Casting Spells from 2019-03-16T10:03:52

Candles might be used for everything from home decor to aromatherapy, but how can you use them to get wishes and protect your home?

Read the blog post to check out the i...

What are witch bottles and how do you make one? from 2019-03-09T12:31:01

Witch bottles have been used since the 1600s to protect homes and individuals from evil spells. Are they relevant in 2019, or are they just a folk tale?

Read the accompa...

What Is The Witching Hour And Does It Exist? from 2019-03-03T21:03:55

Popular culture puts the witching hour in the dead of night - and it's a time for all sorts of shenanigans. But what is it - and does it really exist?

Join Icy in this w...

Spring Has Sprung: Origin Myths And Crocus Folklore from 2019-02-24T23:23:15

The humble crocus pops up every spring. But where does mythology say it came from? Find out more about its origins and folklore in this week's episode!

Check out the ima...

Violets Are Blue: The Folklore Of February’s Birth Flower from 2019-02-17T21:23:21

Violets are February's birth flower. But what other folklore and legends surround this shy little flower? Find out in this week's episode.

See the images on the blog pos...

Say It With Roses: Folklore Of The Queen Of All Flowers from 2019-02-10T22:12:35

Roses are popular symbols of love and romance. But did you know they were once unpopular with the Church? Learn more about roses folklore in this episode!

Check out the ...

February favourites: Do snowdrops appear in folklore? from 2019-02-02T16:06:42

Snowdrops are the first flowers to bloom in spring. In this episode, we'll learn more about the folklore and legends around these beautiful alpine blossoms!

Go to Listen

Take a walk along the old Corpse Roads from 2019-01-27T21:22:48

Corpse roads meander through the British countryside, a forgotten relic of the rural communities we once had. But what folklore has grown up around them? Find out in episode 3 of Fabulo...

Can You Stop Faeries Swapping Your Kids for Changelings? from 2019-01-22T15:59:59

In folklore, changelings are beings left to replace stolen children. Are they sad victims of faery politics, or cunning creatures intent on an easy life?

Check out the a...

Did the Hand of Glory really work or is it a myth? from 2019-01-12T20:58:20

The Hand of Glory granted robbers the power to enter a house undetected while its inhabitants slept. But was there actually any truth in the stories? Find out in this episode!