Fabulous Folklore with Icy

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. But is their creepy reputation deserved? Click here to learn more about moth superstitions and folklore. Find out more about them in this episode! See the images on the blog post here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/moths-folklore Become a Patron for bonus content at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Enjoyed this episode? Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Follow Icy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/icysedgwick

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! See the images on the blog post here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/rats-folklore Become a Patron for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Follow Icy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/icysedgwick

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 omens. Find out more about them in this episode! See the images on the blog post here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/bats-folklore Become a Patron for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Follow Icy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/icysedgwick

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' instead. But no matter! We still have Twelfth Night to celebrate! Find out what folklore surrounds this often forgotten festival! See the images on the blog post here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/twelfth-night-folklore/ Become a Patron for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Follow Icy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/icysedgwick

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'. Have you considered turning to folklore to give your efforts a bit of a boost? This week, we're looking at the custom of first-footing and how can it improve your year... Good luck! Find the blog post and all the links here: https://www.icysedgwick.com/first-footing/ Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Follow Icy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/icysedgwick Become a Patron for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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! So here at Fabulous Folklore, I figured why not keep it up?! In true folklore style, this ghost story is inspired by a London legend. This episode almost marks #50 so it's a bit of a landmark! Without further ado, I give you 'Midnight Screams at Holborn'! 'Midnight Screams at Holborn' comes from the Black Dog and Other Gothic Tales collection, which you can buy here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/book/black-dog-other-gothic-tales/ Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Follow Icy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/icysedgwick Become a Patron for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 the images on the blog post at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/mistletoe-and-christmas/ Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Follow Icy on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/icysedgwick/ Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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! See the images on the blog post at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/holly-and-christmas/ Buy Icy at coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Tweet Icy at: https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Sign up for updates about episodes and get your guide to protecting your home using folklore at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/fab-folklore Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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! See the images on the blog post at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/krampus/ Buy Icy at coffee at https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Sign up for updates about episodes and get your guide to protecting your home using folklore at http://www.icysedgwick.com/fab-folklore Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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.icysedgwick.com/tudor-folk-tales/ Find out more about The Pre-Raphaelite Language of Flowers here - http://www.icysedgwick.com/pre-raphaelite-language-of-flowers/ Buy Icy at coffee at https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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! See the images on the blog post at http://www.icysedgwick.com/knockers/ Buy Icy at coffee at https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Sign up for updates about episodes and get your guide to protecting your home using folklore at http://www.icysedgwick.com/fab-folklore Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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 post at http://www.icysedgwick.com/3-weird-things-at-crossroads Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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 images at http://www.icysedgwick.com/simonside-dwarfs/ Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Or buy Icy a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 this week's episode! Find the images at the blog post: http://www.icysedgwick.com/dartmoor-legends/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Tweet Icy at: https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Follow the Fabulous Folklore hashtag on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fabulousfolklorepodcast/

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 you can try on the big day! See the blog post and images at http://www.icysedgwick.com/halloween-spells-for-protection-romance-loved-ones/ Support the show on Patreon and get exclusive bonuses: https://www.patreon.com/IcySedgwick Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Check out Icy's dark fantasy Magic & Mayhem series: http://www.icysedgwick.com/book-series/magic-and-mayhem/

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! See the images at the accompanying blog post here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/jack-o-lantern/ Get exclusive content by becoming a patron here: https://patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Follow the podcast on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fabulousfolklorepodcast/ Tweet Icy at: https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick

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? Listen to hear more folklore about this strange mode of transport! See the images at the accompanying blog post here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/broomstick/ Get exclusive content by becoming a patron here: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Tweet Icy at: https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick

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-folklore/ And The Magpie & The Wardrobe: http://www.icysedgwick.com/magpie-wardrobe-curiosity/

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 Folklore! Find the post here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/number-13/ Check out my folklore photos on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fabulousfolklorepodcast/ Tweet me at: https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Get exclusive content through Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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 fascinating superstitions about our feline friends. Find the images on the blog post here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/cats-in-folklore Danny Elfman's short animation, The Yule Cat: https://indi.com/8xcwq Join the Fabulous Folklore Family: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick

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 episode! See the accompanying images here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/vampire-rabbit-newcastle/ Tweet me at: https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Support the show on Patreon and get exclusive content: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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 1901. Are such tales simply fantasy, or do some people get a peek into a bygone world? Listen to this episode to learn more about this fascinating phenomenon. See the images here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/time-slips/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family here: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Follow the podcast on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/fabulousfolklorepodcast/

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? Find out in this episode. See photos of the Blackwall Tunnel here: http://www.icysedgwick.com/phantom-hitchhiker/ Tweet Icy at: https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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. First up for September, we have a pair of books by Folklore Thursday's very own Willow Winsham. Check out Accused: British Witches Throughout History: http://www.icysedgwick.com/british-witches/ And England’s Witchcraft Trials: http://www.icysedgwick.com/englands-witchcraft-trials/

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 way to encounter folklore? Learn more in this episode! See the images at the blog post: http://www.icysedgwick.com/psychogeography/ Tweet Icy at: https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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 accompanying blog post: http://www.icysedgwick.com/alchemy-history Tweet me with requests at https://twitter.com/icysedgwick Support the podcast on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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 of Fabulous Folklore! Subscribe here for updates and get your free guide to protecting your home using folklore: http://icysedgwick.com/fab-folklore See the images and accompanying blog post at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/brazen-head/ Or support the show on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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. See the accompanying blog post at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/john-dee/ Become a Patron on Patreon at: https://patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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! See the accompanying blog post at http://www.icysedgwick.com/daemonologie/ Follow me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 witch familiars in this week's episode! Let's kick off Magical Month in style... Check the blog post for images and links to recommended reading; http://www.icysedgwick.com/witches-familiars/ Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 are they all related? Find out in this week's episode! Read the blog post and see the images at http://www.icysedgwick.com/water-nymphs/ Tweet Icy requests for episode topics at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 the original myths about the sirens, and investigate why their representation changed over the centuries. See the images on the blog post - http://www.icysedgwick.com/sirens-mythology Tweet me at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/IcySedgwick Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 episode! See the images on the blog post at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/mermaids-folklore/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/IcySedgwick Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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. See the images on the blog post at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/selkies-folklore/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/IcySedgwick Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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. See the images on the blog post at: http://www.icysedgwick.com/thomas-the-rhymer/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/IcySedgwick Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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, even if you only have a balcony or small patio? Find out in this episode. Find the images on the accompanying blog post: http://www.icysedgwick.com/fairy-friendly-garden Or tweet Icy questions and comments at https://twitter.com/icysedgwick Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/IcySedgwick Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 that - and offers some advice for how to handle the situation should you find yourself in a similar one... Find more information on the blog at http://www.icysedgwick.com/rothley-fairies/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/IcySedgwick Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 accompanying blog post at http://www.icysedgwick.com/fairies Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family at: https://www.patreon.com/IcySedgwick Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 post at http://www.icysedgwick.com/beetles-folklore/ Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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, what it means if a ladybird lands on you, and why there's a slightly creepy nursery rhyme about them. Check out the post at http://www.icysedgwick.com/ladybird-folklore/ Contact Icy on Twitter at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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. Check out the images on the accompanying blog post at http://www.icysedgwick.com/dragonfly-folklore Become a Patron on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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. Read the post and follow the links at http://www.icysedgwick.com/bees-folklore/ Friends of the Earth - Help the Bees at https://friendsoftheearth.uk/bees/bee-cause-what-you-can-do Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 accompanying blog post for images and to leave comments at http://www.icysedgwick.com/butterflies-folklore/ Read the butterfly myth from Irish legend at https://aliisaacstoryteller.com/2014/07/24/dealan-de-the-butterfly-in-irish-mythology/ And support this podcast on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595

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 form of 'King in the mountain'. See the images and leave a comment at http://www.icysedgwick.com/bran-the-blessed/ You can also read about the severed head in folklore here - http://www.icysedgwick.com/severed-head/ Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 images at the accompanying blog post - http://www.icysedgwick.com/drake-drum/ Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 mythology. But did you know he was linked with the Northumberland castle of Sewingshields? Find out more about King Arthur and this particular legend in this week's episode. See the images or leave a comment at http://www.icysedgwick.com/king-arthur/ Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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! See images and leave a comment at http://www.icysedgwick.com/king-in-the-mountain/ Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 at http://www.icysedgwick.com/henbane-wolfsbane-mandrake/ Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 images and links, or to leave a comment, at http://www.icysedgwick.com/candles Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick

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 accompanying blog post, check out the links and see all the pictures at www.icysedgwick.com/witch-bottles Tweet Icy at https://twitter.com/IcySedgwick Become a Patron for $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick