Today marks the summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. The longest day of the year, this year the UK will get 16 hours and 38 minutes of daylight. In years gone by, crowds have gathered at Stonehenge to watch the sunrise. The stones here frame the sunrise on the summer solstice, leading many to assume […]
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Explore the Surprising Truth about Necromancy
‘Necromancy’ seems to baffle a lot of people. If people have heard of it, they either confuse it with necrophilia, or assume it means raising armies of the dead. Popular culture certainly chooses the latter option. Just look at the Necronomicon in the Evil Dead films. The book was first invented as a grimoire by […]
[Book Review] Inkarna by Nerine Dorman
In a world where ‘paranormal’ books seem to be preoccupied with vampires or werewolves, Inkarna is quite the standout book. Nerine Dorman gives us reincarnation, ancient Egyptian mysteries and even daimonic powers. What’s not to love? The story is told by Ashton Kennedy – or rather, by Lizzie, a woman reincarnated into the body of […]
What Charms Did Witches Use In Their Magic Spells?
Charms and rhymes characterise our memories of witchcraft from fairy tales, classic literature, and fantasy films. Do “Mirror, mirror, on the wall” or “Hubble bubble, boil and trouble” ring a bell? Many of these famous examples are invented for the purposes of fiction. But charms occupy a real place in the historical record, used as […]
How are the Heinzelmännchen related to the Elves and the Shoemaker?
Shoemaking is one of those crafts that people still have a vague understanding of. Unlike blacksmithing, which most people rarely see, the tools of the shoemaker are usually on display at your local cobbler’s. While it’s a cobbler’s job to fix shoes, and a shoemaker’s job to make shoes, there’s enough crossover for us to […]
Spinning in Folklore: Impossible Bets and Crafting With the Fates
The common images of spinning in folklore reflect its status as both a craft and form of industry. Most cultures have a figure related to spinning, from North America’s Spider Woman to the Norns of the Norsemen. As Freyalyn Close-Hainsworth points out, spinning is our oldest textile skill (2017). Being able to make rudimentary string […]
