Forests are ambivalent places, both beautiful and tranquil, yet also dangerous to the unwary. They’ve always been a source of resources for people, which is either embraced or exploited. As a result, there is a whole class of folklore involving forest protectors, spirits who guard the woods and all the animals within. These protectors ensure…

Mushrooms have captured humanity’s attention for thousands of years. But they still confuse us. Mushrooms spring up overnight, many of them are dangerous if you confuse them for their safer cousins, and they have an array of fantastical names. Witness the Destroying Angel, Spit Devil, Satan’s Bolete, Witches’ Butter, and Death Cap. Let’s learn more…

In this month’s Valentine’s Day-themed episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I’m thrilled to bring you a chat with Komal Salman! Komal Salman is a creative professional and Founder at Folkloristan, where technology meets storytelling to preserve oral Pakistani heritage. With a background in media studies, Komal is also the Content Strategist at Atom Camp, a…

Trees are some of humanity’s best friends, providing oxygen, storing carbon, and even improving the soil where they grow. Some are flashy and famous in folklore, like the oak or the hawthorn. Others are perhaps less well-known, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less important to folklore!  Let’s learn more about alder, birch, and blackthorn…

Certain plants evoke particular areas, like grasslands, meadows, hedgerows, or gardens. Others are full of the mystery of the forest, splashing colour across the woodland floor. Bluebells are famous for turning ordinary woods into a stunning scene in late March until early May. So in this post, we’re going to look at the folklore of…