Mirrors are often linked with witches, like Snow White’s Evil Queen. Used for scrying, or divination, and casting spells, mirrors hold pride of place among magical traditions. But how do they work?  We’ll look at the folklore, superstitions and mythology surrounding mirrors in this episode of Fabulous Folklore. See the images or get the blog…

Witches in history often meet a sorry fate. The fates of witches like the Pendle Witches, the Witches of Warboys, and Isobel Gowdie are well known. But what about the witches of myth?  In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let’s meet three famous witches of legend: Befana, Baba Yaba & Circe. See the images or…

The summer solstice is often known as midsummer. But is it really an ancient pagan festival? In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let’s some of the ways that both the solstice and midsummer are celebrated! We’ll also check out what its significance is… To see the images on the blog posts, click here: https://www.icysedgwick.com/summer-solstice/ Check…

Is necromancy really about raising the dead, or is it a form of artful divination?  In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let’s explore this strange practice that dates to ancient Egypt and Greece! We’ll also check out how it worked in the medieval period – and how it works now… See the images on the…

Pop culture lets witches speak cool or pithy charms. But what charms did actually witches use in reality?  In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let’s check the historical record to learn how to shapeshift into animals, steal milk, protect lives, and protect against witchcraft (I know, the irony)! See the images on the blog post…

Most people have heard the story of the Elves & the Shoemaker, but what is the Heinzelmännchen variation associated with Cologne, Germany? In this episode of Fabulous Folklore, let’s meet the elves, hobgoblins, gnomes and dwarfs that help shoemakers (and other tradesmen) and their strange terms of work! See the images on the blog post…