Category: History and Folklore

Beltane blessings to all that follow! And to those that don’t.. maybe you’re wondering what it is all about?

Firstly, it is one of the eight Sabbats celebrated throughout the year by many Pagans marking the halfway point between spring equinox and summer solstice – and finally the beginning of summer! Officially observed on the 1st May (but continuing throughout the month), it is a time when the light is truly overcoming the dark, the sun is coming out and life is abundant everywhere. You can witness all this in the natural world around us – animals are having babies, flowers are in full bloom and (hopefully) the warmer days are now in full swing. And, if you are like me, you will be donning your biggest wide-brim sunhat, slathering yourself with high-factor sun cream, and finding a way to stay cool and look cool in the heat…

When we think of mythical beings the usual suspects come to mind: unicorns, dragons, pixies and elves! But what about those creatures that come from other myths and legends? The creepy and down-right bizarre beasts that come from all corners of the earth and dwell in the deep.

Let’s delve in and take a look…

Now the spooky season is in full swing, it definitely wouldn’t be complete without the horror stories of creepy mythology. One of the most infamous myths is of the ferocious Werewolf. Half man, half wolf – an amalgamation? An entity? Something entirely different? You’ve seen them in the movies and read a few books, but where did these beasts really come from?

Cats, either love or hate them, have undeniably been icons of worship throughout the ages. From revered Cat-gods to our furry companions, these feisty felines are a massive part of many cultures. So let’s take a look:

Lammas: the first harvest festival of the Wiccan wheel of the year!

This rite is celebrated at the beginning of August (1st/2nd) and marks the grain harvest and the first yield from the union of the god and goddess. It is a spectacular time to commemorate, full of intriguing myths and fascinating deities to honour!

The Victorian era is known for many advancements in society, and none so important as the understanding of medicine with the groundbreaking development of anesthesia and the establishment of antiseptic surgery. However, by today’s standards the practices are considered truly peculiar and on the verge of butchery in some cases! But the remedies used for the common ailments were undoubtedly fascinating.

The Middle Ages conjures images of impoverished peasants, filthy prison cells, and torture chambers reserved for even the most minor crimes. And those contraptions designed to extract confessions and punish sinners were created with utmost barbarity – many devices were constructed in such a way that death didn’t come for hours even days. Such are the methods of an experienced torturer – to maim but not murder until what they needed was obtained!

The vampire is known to anyone who has ever opened a book or seen a film – characterised typically by a lust for blood or flesh, sharp fangs, and an undead form.

From the teen heartthrobs of Twilight to the kickass creatures of Blade, vampires have been part of modern fantasy and fiction. But could there be any truth to the original stories? Are these tales purely the work of frightful imagination or is there any real evidence of the vampire accounts?

Who is Krampus?

Krampus is a less well-known figure associated with the Christmas holiday – while St Nicholas rewards the good children, Krampus punishes the bad!

Everyone who is into gothic culture knows the name, Edgar Allan Poe. The genius writer of gothic literature is as well-known as The Adams Family or Frankenstein to anyone who is a fan of the dark side of life! Poe was a master crafter of mystery and the macabre but did you know his own death was just as mysterious as his works? The circumstances surrounding his demise are still unclear and the cause remains never truly understood.

At long last, it is that time we have all been waiting for… Samhain, All-Souls Eve – HALLOWEEN!

And what is more iconic than those scary-looking carved pumpkins sitting on every porch or in every window? But where did this tradition come from? Why the big orange veg?

What is Mabon?

The Wheel of the Year is turning and for many people, this means the descent into those dreary darker months – cue colder weather (more unpredictable than usual), darker nights and leaves falling fast!
But it is also a wondrous time of year for those that follow the seasons as we approach our Autumn Equinox; Mabon. (September 21st-22nd)

Who is Baphomet?

Baphomet is a mystery. A contradictory and enticing symbol depicting a goat headed god with both male and female anatomy often surrounded by symbols and markings. And currently Baphomet is more popular than ever; influencing subculture scenes, fashion and much more! But it is so often misunderstood and is frequently tarnished with the same ideology of being a symbol of darkness and evil. In fact, Baphomet is not so simple as that. And to say that Baphomet is meant to represent all things in the universe is only the tip of the iceberg.

We would like to wish everybody a happy St. George’s Day.

To learn more about the story of St. George and the Dragon you can read our previous blog here.

Once upon a time, before Christmas became sanitised, Americanised and candy-coated by Santa Claus and Coca Cola, in Europe Yuletide was more ominous, weird, and occasionally downright scary than jolly. Few are better qualified to explore the dark side of the holiday season than the Folk Horror Revival group. ‘Folk’ has recently become the hottest buzzword in horror circles, ‘folk horror’ the term to describe that elusive area where rural folklore and arcane tradition intertwine with the ghostly and ghastly on page and screen. In early December of this year the Folk Horror Revival group held a symposium on all things spooky and seasonal they entitled Winter Ghosts 2019.