The name ‘dead house’ conjures up all kinds of ideas, doesn’t it? Is it a house occupied by the dead? Is it a rotten house that no one lives in anymore? Some beliefs posit the idea that the spirit can’t move on until the body is finally at peace. Others explore the notion that the […]
folklore
Meet Charon: the legendary ferryman of Greek myth!
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 he loses his name, but we all know who we’re referring to. But who was Charon, and what is the folklore surrounding him? Hit […]
Why Is The Fetch Seen As A Death Omen?
Folklore crackles with tales of spirits and doubles. These bad omens, like the Bean Nighe, point to the death of the beholder. Irish folklore also features the fetch, a shadowy double who appears at the point of death. img src=”https://image.ibb.co/gGA5kJ/fetch_folklore_pin.jpg” alt=”The fetch appears in Irish folklore as an apparition seen when another is dead or […]
Why is the Bean Nighe seen as an omen of death?
We’re possibly all familiar with the idea of the banshee. The wailing female spirit cries out to announce a death within certain Irish families. But what of her cousin, the Bean Nighe? This lonely spirit also marks impending deaths, in Scotland and Ireland. Let’s get to know her a little better and find out why […]
Autumn Superstitions: Conkers, Roses, and Falling Leaves
Here in the northern hemisphere, autumn is certainly one of the most stunning seasons. We watch the trees discard their summer finery while the world prepares for the slumber of winter. In 1819, John Keats considered it to be the season of “mists and mellow fruitfulness”, and waxed lyrical about the ripe fruit, and the […]
Sleep Folklore: Demons, Poppies, and Saving Your Soul
Certain things are held to be vital to healthy human functioning. A varied diet, exercise, exposure to sunlight, and plenty of sleep are usually among them. Yet sleep remains the most mysterious of the four. Our ability to do it is hampered by a range of factors. We have a vague notion that our body […]
