FOLKLORISTS BELIEVE THAT the first festivalsarose because of the anxieties of earlypeoples who did not understand theforces of nature and wished to placate them.The people noted the times and seasons ...
The majority of people who are new to spellworking will acknowledge that for them commonsense backed up by practical action is normallymore productive than theoretical or mysticalthinking. In magical ...
Lets examine the curious and sometimes sinister superstitions that have grown up around clocks over the years, and related how a stopped clock was often related to a death in many folk beliefs. Now th...
In the deep recesses of the forest, a tale whispered by ancient trees and dreaded even by the shadows unfolded. The Verdanthrope — a creature carved from moss, branches, and the dark secrets of the wo...
Nearly all cultures have some sort of spider mythology, and folktales about these crawly creatures abound! Hopi (Native American): In the Hopi creation story, Spider Woman is the goddess of the earth....
You will need the following items for this spell: A wooden bowlA small knife or chiselIncenseCandle wax (optional)WaterBegin by placing the wooden bowl on a flat surface. Take the chisel or knife and ...
In English folklore, the Berkeley Witch was a wealthy woman who lived during the time of the Norman Conquest in the town of Berkeley in England’s heartland. She was wealthy and well liked, and lived l...
She manifests in every serpent that is at least 100 years old. She can become a beautiful maiden, and makes an excellent fairy wife. A human husband must never speak of what she really is, or th...
NamesJanicot, Woden, Odin, Gwyn ap Nudd, Arawn, Iuan, Krampus, Hod, Hob, Basajaun, Lucibello, Iu-Hu, Old Nick, Misrule, Pan, Baphomet, Scratch, Puck, Buccos Station of the WheelNorthwest, Yule, Decemb...
In Irish legend, 12 horned women,all witches, who take over the household of a rich womanand bewitch her and her sleeping family. No reason forthe bewitching is given in the story—perhaps, in timespas...
In French folklore, wandering sprites whoattach themselves to households and both help andplague the residents. Goblins live in grottoes but areattracted to homes that have beautiful children and lots...
Bells Repellers of witches and evil spirits. Bells areassociated with the divine: their sound is symbolic ofcreative power, their shape a symbol of the female forceand the celestial vault. The sound v...
Folklorists believe that the first festivals arose because of the anxieties of early peoples who did not understand the forces of nature and wished to placate them. The people noted the times and seas...
AniseRomans paid taxes with anise, and it was used in cough drops. BasilPrecious to lovers in Italy and considered sacred in India. Many years ago, Italian men wore a sprig of basil to indicate their ...
A phosphorescent light seen in marsh and swamp areas, which in folklore is either the manifestation of a malicious lost soul or a death omen. Jacko’-lantern is known by various names, including will-o...
The majority of people who are new to spell working will acknowledge that for them common sense backed up by practical action is normally more productive than theoretical or mystical thinking. In magi...
The broom is one of those tools that most people have in their home – whether they’re a witch or not! In many rural cultures, the broom has become a source of legend and folklore. Here are just a few ...
In Russian folklore, a female witch who loved to roast and eat people, preferably children. She was as likely to pop a niece in the oven as she was a stranger. She lived in a little hut beyond a river...
Ways of dealing with problems within the community, which used a blend of Christian and pagan rituals, was partly a product of the interaction between Christianity and paganism. Pagan belief demanded ...
Archetypal wizard of Arthurian lore. Merlin is a Latinized version of the Welsh Myrddin. His exact origins are lost in myth; he may have been a god, perhaps a version of Mabon or Maponos, the British ...