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 the mist on a lonely moor, the sheep being careful to only graze outside the circle. They’re certainly evocative, if nothing else. As with the standing stones that we covered last […]
The Folklore of Standing Stones, Megaliths, and Menhirs
There’s something awesome yet eerie about encountering standing stones in the landscape. Why are they there? Who put them there? And how did they put them there? The fact we can’t often answer these questions helps add to their mystery. Standing stones go by a range of names, such as lith (i.e. megalith) or menhir. […]
The Folklore of Wells: Healing, Wishing, Divining, and Cursing
Archaeological evidence reveals a close relationship between people and the spiritual world back to the Bronze Age. Springs often reveal ritual deposits, such as those found at the head of the Seine. It’s unsurprising that humans would continue this water-based relationship via wells. For some scholars, wells had either a patron deity or a guardian […]
The Folklore of Forest Protectors and Guardians
Forests are ambivalent places, both beautiful and tranquil, yet also dangerous to the unwary. They’ve always been a source of resources for people, which is either embraced or exploited. As a result, there is a whole class of folklore involving forest protectors, spirits who guard the woods and all the animals within. These protectors ensure […]
Fungi Folklore, Or the Mysterious Forest Fruit
Mushrooms have captured humanity’s attention for thousands of years. They appear in rock art, illuminated manuscripts, and more recently in plenty of 19th and early 20th century fairy illustrations. And who can forget the mushrooms in Alice in Wonderland? Fungi may have arrived on land some 700 million years ago. Scientists estimate there are anywhere […]
The Folklore of Woodland Trees: Alder, Birch & Blackthorn
Walk through any woodland in Britain and you’ll no doubt be able to pick out the forest celebrities. Think ash, oak, and pine. But a healthy forest is full of a diverse range of woodland trees, each with their own legends and folklore. They also have party tricks that see them give back to the […]
