We would like to wish a happy new year to all of our friends in the east. We hope the year of the Rabbit will be a prosperous one for you all.

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:

Frankenstein (aka The Modern Prometheus) is the enlightened gothic nightmare in which a mad scientist Victor Frankenstein creates a monstrous being from stolen body parts and brings him to life! A truly terrifying concept that was the first of its kind when first written by young Mary Shelley, and is the springboard to countless adaptions, inspiring and captivating an entire generation at the time of its creation and for many centuries thereafter. But there is so much more to the story than the seemingly simple premise.

Let’s explore the parts of Frankenstein!

And the sign said “Welcome B(l)ack”

Has it really been three years since we last cavorted on a field not of these sceptred shores? Had the travels there not been so dreadful, I may have forgotten these corona years had occurred as it felt like no time at all had passed once I was in the embrace of fun, frivolity, friends and fine music.

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.

Warning – spoilers ahead!

From the esteemed director who brought us ‘The Witch,’ comes another disturbing tale of ‘The Lighthouse.’ The film is loosely based on Welsh folklore and tells the story of two men (actors William Defoe and Robert Pattinson) who become marooned on an island while working as lighthouse keepers and start to go insane. The film leans heavily on mythological themes while exploring both sexuality, identity, and madness in midst of a nightmare scenario!

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!