The Folklore Podcast (Mark Norman)

The inaugural episode of The Folklore Podcast examines the recent development of the Slender Man phenomenon, with folklorist and associate professor, Dr Andrea Kitta.

It is a rare event indeed to be present at the birth of a Folklore motif or symbol and see it enter into a cultural environment. Is that what we are seeing with Slender Man? Andrea discusses her work and research on the subject.

Please visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com and click on Episodes for more information and to download the Supplement.

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Ghosts are undoubtedly one of the most popular aspects of folklore stories. But in folklore there are two distinct types of ghost: the folk (or legendary) ghost or the haunting. In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, regular host Mark Norman examines two particular folk ghost motifs, the 'Cockstride' ghost, which serves some form of penance for evil, and the Phantom Coach.

The talk is illustrated with many examples from the South West of the United Kingdom, where these folk ghosts occur a lot in traditional accounts.

An episode supplement is available to download for this episode from the Folklore Podcast website. The supplement is a full 16-page fully designed e-zine featuring many more case studies, additional notes, comparisons of folk ghosts with stories in fictional literature and suggested reading.

Cats ... shoes ... bottles ... coins. At first glance these objects don't seem to have much in common. But these, and many other objects, are all items which have been found concealed within the fabric of old buildings during renovations or other works. Why were they placed there?

Joining host Mark Norman on this episode of The Folklore Podcast is Dr Ceri Houlbrook, an historical ethnographer and archaeologist who works as research assistant on the Concealed Revealed project, which is asking just this question.

A 16-page electronic magazine supplement is available to complement this edition, featuring a full episode transcript, more information, suggested reading and galleries of images relating to the finds. Visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com and click on Episodes to find this.

Host of the Folklore Podcast, Mark Norman, is one of a few researchers specialising in the field of Black Dog ghosts and holds what is thought to be the UKs largest archive of sightings and traditions. In this episode, Mark draws on his extensive archive to examine ghostly apparitions of Black Dogs in folklore and specifically how the relate to the wider European folklore of the Wild Hunt legend. An electronic magazine supplement accompanies this show with more information on the subject matter included. Visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com and click on Episodes.

Dr David Waldron, lecturer at Federation University, Australia, and folklore researcher gives an exclusive talk to The Folklore Podcast on the phenomenon of ghost hoaxing and guising in Victorian Times. How did figures such as Springheeled Jack come about. Why did people do this and how has it continued into our modern folklore?  Visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com to download the supplementary magazine for this episode.

The Autumn Equinox passes and as the Wheel of the Year turns we enter a state when the world is said to be in balance. This is a time of harvest and of appreciation for the fruits of the land. The Folklore Podcast moves into October with two seasonal episodes looking at important folklore at this time of the year.

In this episode, The Folklore Podcast's creator and host Mark Norman moves from broader folklore themes to something much smaller, and discusses the varying roles of the apple and apple trees in our folklore. Superstitions, traditions and religious imagery are all discussed, and the show additionally includes some of Mark's field recordings from a traditional wassail ceremony in 2016.

Supplementary e-magazine and more podcast infromation available on the website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

Hallowe'en, Samhain or Allantide. However you view the time surrounding October 31st, it is an important part of our ritual year. It is traditionally a time when the veil between the worlds is thinned, when magic is more powerful and when spirits roam the Earth.

Joining regular host Mark Norman on this edition of The Folklore Podcast is special guest Judith Hewitt. Judith is co-manager, with her husband Peter, of the world famous Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, Cornwall. Throughout 2016, the Museum has staged an exhibition looking at representations of Hallowe'en in the past and now.

Judith discusses the folklore of All Hallows past and present: the glitter and the gravedust.

An episode supplement for this episode, containing a full transcript along with photos of the exhibition and some of the Museum's Hallowe'en collection is available to download from the Supplements page on our website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com or is free to Patrons at any level from www.patreon/com/thefolklorepodcast

Fire can be a powerful and sometimes all consuming force. Helpful and dangerous in equal measure, the ability to use fire sets man apart from the animals. It should not be too surprising then that fire features heavily in our folklore and traditions.

This episode looks at aspects of fire within our folklore from around the world, from calendar customs to mythical creatures; old gods to modern practices. Gather round your hearth and learn about the folklore of fire with The Folklore Podcast.

An e-zine supplement for this episode is available to download from our website, where you can also sign up for our free newsletter, listen to past shows and subscribe to the podcast.

Belief in fairies throughout the world is ancient and deep-rooted, and this means that there is much folklore and tradition surrounding fairy in all of its forms: elves, pixies, sprites, brownies ... the list continues. Widespread belief in fairies waned enormously in the 19th century but this does not mean that it has died out.In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman talks to Jo Hickey-Hall about their research into modern fairy sightings and how they sit alongside our more traditional patterns of belief.For more information on this episode, our guest, and to download the e-magazine supplement please visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com

No matter which was you cut it and no matter how you celebrate it, there is no doubt that Yule is a time of year steeped in tradition. Some of this will be unique to your own family and some will be more generally known. Other symbols and motifs occur frequently and are either timeless or have been changed and appropriated in other ways over the years.In this edition of The Folklore Podcast, creator and host Mark Norman examines some of the customs, traditions and beliefs surrounding the festivities of Christmas, Yule and/or the Winter Solstice (to name but three variations). From candles to trees, reindeer to mistletoe and Santa to Krampus, learn some of the ancient roots and origins of the imagery that endures to this day. You may be surprised by some of the history of your favourite Christmas symbols.

Cryptozoology is an area of 'Fortean' study (or zoological study depending on your views) which can be of great interest to folklorists because of its reliance on anecdote and oral transmission of stories. In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman introduces a guest lecture from Paul Michael Donovan of Federation University, Australia on the indiginous legends surrounding the cryptid known as the Bunyip. An e-magazine supplement for this episode with further reading suggested by Paul is available to download from The Folklore Podcast website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

Before the rise of the Gothic novel, faciliated by the development of cheap printing systems, the Chapbook and Bluebook were common forms of literature, particularly in the United Kingdom. For a penny or half-penny, members of the public of any class with the ability to read suddenly had access to a wealth of information (of varying degrees of accuracy) and stories of adventure and morality through these publications. Although looked down on by the higher classes of the time, and indeed by scholars of today, the Chapbooks and Bluebooks are a wonderful repository of folklore which can tell us much about the beliefs and traditions of the people of the time. In this edition of The Folklore Podcast, the first of Season 2, creator and host Mark Norman examines some of the folklore presented in the old Chapbooks and how it was used to teach lessons to others.  An e-magazine supplement supports this episode, featuring some of the illustrative covers from old Chapbooks being discussed. You can get this from our website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com. Patrons of the podcast at any level from $1 per month receive all of our supplements via our Patreon page. More details at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The witch trials of the 16th and 17th century have many facets within the accusations of the women (and men) involved. One of the most intriguing is the links between accused parties and the fairies. How did these people claim to be convening with the fae? What fairy magic did they profess to use?  In this special extended episode of The Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman is joined by historian and tour guide of London's Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Jon Kaneko-James. Jon works extensively with original documents from the period and discusses a case that he stumbled across about which little is generally discussed.

Jon writes extensively on the history of the supernatural on his blog at www.jonkanekojames.com He has released an exclusive blog in support of this episode which can be used along with the transcript of this episode and Jon's suggested reading which is available in the episode supplement from our website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

In the days before we had a good understanding of many medical conditions, folklore would generate around them in order to reconcile what was happening and provide explanations. Such is the case with sleep paralysis, often referred to these days even in medical circles as Old Hag Syndrome. The name derives from the hallucinatory aspect where people often report a hag sitting on their chest preventing them from moving. In medieval folklore the demonic Incubus and Succubus were to be blamed for this condition.

This is the first of a two part examination of Old Hag Syndrome and the theme was suggested by one of our listeners to the Folklore Podcast. The second part of this episode will be in two episodes time and will feature some very special guests.

To download the e-magazine supplement for this episode please visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com

Patrons receive all of our supplements free. To become a patron please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Through the early to mid part of the 20th century there were a number of characters, often women, who would travel their parts of the world collecting folk songs, stories and superstitions and recording them for the future. These people are often forgotten in modern times, but without them we would not have the archives and knowledge of our folkloric past that we do now.

In this episode of the Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman talks to Cindy Campbell-Stone, Vice-president of the Helen Creighton Folklore Society about Canada's 'First Lady of Folklore' and offers a chance to hear some of Helen's original field recording audio as well as modern renditions of songs and stories that she collected.

You can learn more about Helen and the Society at www.helencreighton.org

Most people are familiar with the story of 'Count Dracula' and have more than a good general knowledge of the typical vampire tropes of stage and screen; the fangs, the pale skin, the blood sucking. But to truly understand the motif of the vampire in culture, we need to look across the world at all of our cultures and this is where the folklorists approach is so valuable. In the first of this special two-part examination of the vampire, podcast creator and host Mark Norman examines the origins and emergence of the idea of the vampire across races, religions and cultures through the folklore record. Part two next month will examine death lore and protection symbolism.

An e-magazine supplement for this episode and the back catalogue are available at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

To support The Folklore Podcast, pleas visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Many of the folk tales that inspire us, teach us or just intrigue us have been passed down through many generations. In some cases we can find a root for the story. In most, we cannot. But they draw on the knowledge, the beliefs and the imaginations of our ancestors. Many of the stories that we have today, both the well-loved tales and the more obscure lore, survive because of the practices and skills of the storyteller.

In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, creator and host Mark Norman is joined by classically trained actor and professional storyteller Jon Buckeridge, of Parable Arts, to discuss the synergies between folklore and storytelling.

Visit the Folklore Podcast website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

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Learn more about Jon and his work at www.parablearts.co.uk

In the second part of this two-part examination of vampire from lore from around the world, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman moves on to discuss ways of ensuring that the recently deceased do not rise again as vampires and, if these measures fail, what differing methods are available to destroy a creature. What are the differences between pinning and staking? Which wood should you use for your stake? Why were some bodies buried with farm implements?

To access the entire back catalogue of the Folklore Podcast for free, purchase episode supplements or other folklore products or learn more about the guests on the podcast, please visit www.thefolklorepodcast.com

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, get extra content and rewards and ensure the continuing development of the show, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

This episode of the Folklore Podcast examines the broad themes of witchcraft and the supernatural, but focuses down to look at how they were portrayed in the early modern period; specifically, how witches were represented on the 17th century musical stage. Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman is joined by special guest and musicologist Shauna Caffrey who discusses her unusual research into the role of witches in the opera. To find out more about Shauna and her work, please visit the guests page on our website at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

The skills of weaving, spinning and knitting were vital to clothe and keep warm members of every class, race, religion or social group from the poorest to the richest. And so, we find wool, yarn and thread and the working of those materials rooted very deeply in the folklore of countries around the globe.

In this episode, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman discusses the folklore associated with wool, thread, spinning and associated crafts, through folk and fairy tales, customs and more.

Support the Folklore Podcast at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast and receive bonus content and rewards.

The case of Gef, the alleged talking mongoose, which may or may not have been a poltergeist, or a ghost, or a hoax, or any one of a number of things, took place over a period of around 8 years on a remote farm in the Isle of Man in the 1930s. It was investigated by Harry Price, Nandor Fodor and other researchers, but there was never a definite conclusion as to what was going on.

On this episode of The Folklore Podcast, creator and host Mark Norman talks to Christopher Josiffe, the author of the award winning book on Gef, published in 2017, and the result of 7 years of research by Chris into the subject.

There is a piece of artwork which has been around for many years and has a long and involved narrative surrounding it. It may be found in thousands of homes in differing prints and is usually known as The Crying Boy. This image has a wonderful and fascinating urban legend attached to it - a legend which has been tracked and analysed for many years by Dr David Clarke, the guest on this episode of The Folklore Podcast. Is The Crying Boy really cursed? Find out its history in this episode.

Many fairy tales have their roots in a much darker past, but these origins are watered down to make the tales more wholesome or moral. But did the story of Hansel and Gretel really stem from a case of entrepreneurial intrigue and murder in 17th century Germany? And did the Grimm Brothers know more than they were letting on it their version of the story? Why do the illustrations in their book look so similar to modern day locations? In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, creator and host Mark Norman examines a case to which their is certainly more than it seems at first glance.

To support the Folklore Podcast and earn rewards, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

There is no doubt that modern day ghost hunting is a big deal. From television programming to participatory events, the search for evidence of ghosts is more prevalent than ever. But how does folklore have a role to play in paranormal investigation? Benjamin Radford is editor of Sceptical Inquirer science magazine, a critical investigator and author or co-author of over 20 books and many hundreds of articles. In the episode of the Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman discusses Ben's book 'Investigating Ghosts' and looks together they look at the important place for folklore in the field of ghost investigation.

This episode presents a recorded folklore talk from the archives of the podcast creator and host, Mark Norman.

Alien Big Cats was recorded in September 2013 at the Folklore Society conference 'Beasts in Legend and Tradition'. The talk, presented by writer and folklorist Steve Patterson, examines the zoological phenomenon of out of place cats in the landscape. Whilst there is plenty of evidence to suggest that big cats do live in the British landscape, Steve discusses the ways in which these cases feed into the folklore narrative of the creatures before moving on to discuss the image of the cat in mythology.

To access bonus content and support the running of the Folklore Podcast, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Of all the objects in your house, the mirror probably has more superstitions attached to it than any other. It may be used for divination. It may be a portal to another dimension. And woe betide you if it should fall off the wall and break.

In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, folklorist Mark Norman - the creator and host of the podcast - looks at the mirror through history and in various cultures to explore some of the more obscure folklore attached to it.

Research assistance provided by Tracey Norman.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to earn more content and rewards at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

In this episode of the Folklore Podcast, creator and host Mark Norman is joined by guest Dr Claudia Schwabe, assistant professor of German at Utah State University. Amongst other things, Claudia teaches classes on fairy tales and in this interview she discusses the content of her forthcoming book "Craving Supernatural Creatures" which examines German fairy tale creatures through the lens of American Pop Culture.

In the winter of 1855, after a heavy fall of snow, residents across a large area of the county of Devon, in the South West of the UK, awoke to find a mysterious trail of prints in the snow. Looking like an hoof, the single-file line of prints allegedly covered a distance of some 100 miles, ignoring obstructions in their path and continuing over high walls hayricks and even the roofs of houses. No satisfactory explanation has ever been given for the event, which became known as the Great Devon Mystery.

Although the case has been widely reported, interestingly it is not the only time that this has happened. Very similar lines of marks have been found in different parts of the world over the last 175 years or so. It's just that the other cases are much more obscure.

In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, creator and host Mark Norman compares and contrasts cases from 1840 through to 2009.

This episode of the Folklore Podcast is the first featuring expert presentations from the Hidden Charms 2 conference in Salisbury - a conference organised by Brian Hoggard of the Apotropaios website with John Billingsley and Jeremy Harte. The conference featured a day of talks on protection magic, charms, concealed apotropaic objects and similar themes.

In this talk, "Witch Bottles - Findings from the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic" - collections researcher and museum manager Dr Peter Hewitt discusses some of the bottles held at the museum, and argues that we may use folklore to help to decode the meanings that these bottles have for us in the modern world. Dr Hewitt suggests that their uses were far more varied than just as protective devices.

To access a transcript of this episode, join the Folklore Podcast Patreon page at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

This guest talk was recorded at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic's Ritual Magic conference in May 2018.

William Dawson Bellhouse (1814-1870) was many things - magician, surgeon and galvanist to name but three. His personal magical workbook, the survival of which is uncommon among 19th century cunning folk, is now in the collection of the New York Public Library. The book provides a window into Bellhouse's methods, derived from both popular tradition and printed works including the Heptameron and the works of Agrippa. Its contents provide us with insights into the spiritual toolkit of a practitioner of ritual magic working at the time.

This episode features two guest speakers, recorded live at the flagship conference of The Folklore Society in 2018, held at the Museum of English Rural Life in Reading and examining aspects of rural life and folklore from around the world.

Rosalind Kerven presents "Spinners, Servants and Midwives: Women at Work in British and Irish Folk Narratives" and Jo HIckey-Hall speaks on fairy lore in her paper "Wilt gie us the lend of thy plough and tackle?: Fairies at Work".

Full details of the guests and other episodes of the podcast can be found at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

A guest lecture from the great British folklorist Jeremy Harte who examines the character of the miller in folklore. Recorded live at the Folklore Society Conference at the Museum of English Rural Life in 2018.

Access all episodes of the podcast for free at www.thefolklorepodcast.com

The mythology of the Norse peoples is a rich and varied one, but little is found in the archaeological record to tell us much for certain. Some things we speculate about, others we get from primary sources. But what are these sources?In this episode of the podcast, Noah Tetzner from the "History of Vikings" podcast gives a basic introduction to the area of Norse mythology, discussing the mythic landscape and beliefs from the Scandinavian regions.

The lullaby as a song type is found in cultures all over the world. Whilst the familiar interpretation is as a gentle song to lull a child to a restful sleep, in this episode podcast creator and host Mark Norman offers some alternative readings where the lyrics and back-story are somewhat darker and more likely to induce nightmares. The episode also features a guest talk from Armenian folklore researcher and lecturer Hasmik Matikyan on the lullaby as a form of work song, drawn from her own cultural experiences and interviews.

As beautifully performed and presented as it was, there is far more to the concept of the 'genie' than Disney's manic blue singing version in Aladdin. The genie is the Westernised version of the Jinn, the supernatural being from Islamic and Arabian mythology and lore. On this episode of the Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman and researcher Tracey Norman are joined by Dedra Stevenson, an author from the UAE who draws on a lot of this folklore in her fiction writing. Dedra explains exactly what the Jinn are, and how they are a very real part of Muslim beliefs.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon for extra content and rewards at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Prejudices against people because of the colour of their skin are unacceptable. And yet, it is often socially accepted to make fun of people because of the colour of their hair. Why should this be any different? And is there any evidence to back up the beliefs?

In this episode Mark Norman, the creator of The Folklore Podcast, discusses the beliefs, superstitions and folklore attached to those sporting red hair.

To support the continued ad-free production of the podcast, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

In the first of two episodes of the podcast examining festive folklore for December, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman looks at the history and origins of the Mummers Play and other Yuletide folk plays and traditions. Contesting the broad opinion that they plays 'are just pagan' the episode traces similarities and differences through other performances such as the pantomime and the Commedia Dell'arte before examining other similar practices such as the Mummering house visits of Newfoundland and the Irish Wrenboys. This episode also contains recordings of performances made in the field.

Support the continuing free episodes of the podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The Krampus has become a big folkloric figure at Christmas time in recent years. But less discussed and of equal interest are the female figures of the Perchten from the alpine regions. On this, the final episode of Season 3 of the Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman redresses the balance in an interview with alpine folklore expert Al Ridenour, the creator of the Bone and Sickle podcast.

To support the Folklore Podcast, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

To kick off Season 4 of The Folklore Podcast, host Mark Norman examines traditional New Year customs and celebrations around the world, noting the many similarities in different cultures as well as the unique aspects found from place to place.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, and keep the show running, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman is joined in this episode by folklore blogger and film academic Icy Sedgwick to discuss the genre of horror and supernatural in film. The discussion explores the research being undertaken by Icy as part of her PhD on the representation of hauntings on the movie screen and particularly looks at the tropes we find in folkloric accounts of ghosts. Do these translate to the portrayal of the ghost in film, and do the films themselves create their own folklore and mythos which works its way back into our own cultures?

To keep the Folklore Podcast running and providing free content each month, please consider a small monthly donation at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

In this episode, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman takes a look at some of the old (and a few of the modern) customs and traditions associated with Valentine's Day. From the medieval period, by way of early house visiting traditions and love divination, the episode explores many of the UK practices before travelling around the world to look at a selection of other ways that Valentine's is celebrated

The landscape that surrounds us is rich in folklore connected with the plants and flowers that dwell within it. Some of these are old and connect with the world of fairy. Some are more modern and relate to invasive species. All are fascinating. In this episode of the Folklore Podcast, storyteller and environmentalist Lisa Schneidau discusses the research which went into her book "Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland" and tells some of the stories related to our plant-based beliefs.

To support the Folklore Podcast please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

PhD researcher Tabitha Stanmore joins the Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman, and historian Tracey Norman, to discuss her research into the role of the service magician in history. Spanning the years from c. 1350 to c. 1650, Tabitha researches how magic was practiced and by whom, whether this changed over the period, and how magical practice was affected by perspectives on gender. She also explores the extent to which magic was tolerated at different social strata, from the employment of village cunning folk to magic's use at the English royal court.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The second of two interviews examining themes of witchcraft. Following on from the last episode of Cunning Folk, in this episode of the podcast Mark Norman is joined by Marion Gibson, Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures at the University of Exeter. Marion discusses her latest book, 'Rediscovering Renaissance Witchcraft' and the unique degree course on magic and witchcraft that she teaches at the University.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

In this episode of the podcast, host Mark Norman is joined by comedian and author Jem Roberts to discuss his new book, 'Tales of Britain'. A number of years in the compiling and producing, Tales of Britain takes 77 well known and more obscure folk tales from around the country and retells them for the 21st century, along with a unique travel guide which allows the reader to visit the locations in which they were set.

To support the Folklore Podcast and access extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The country of Iceland is both bleak and beautiful in equal measure, and is also home to some of the darker aspects of folklore and belief. In this first of two episodes of the podcast looking at Icelandic Lore through the lens of popular authors, host Mark Norman is joined by bestselling Icelandic crime novelist Yrsa Sigurdardottir. Yrsa has lived in Iceland her whole life and has woven many aspects of its folklore into her award-winning crime novels. She discusses her memories of folklore as a child and those stories which resonate today.

To support The Folklore Podcast and access extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

1686, Iceland. A wild, isolated landscape that can swallow a man without so much as a volcanic gasp, where superstitious Icelanders are haunted by all-too-recent memories of witch trials.

Such is the setting for the novel "The Glass Woman", written by the special guest on this episode of The Folklore Podcast, Caroline Lea. The book is variously described as 'rich in superstition and mystery' and 'both chilling and beguiling'.

Caroline joins podcast creator and host Mark Norman to discuss her research into the folklore and superstition of historic Iceland, how she came to weave it into her novel, and more general thoughts on landscape and tradition.

Help to keep The Folklore Podcast freely available by supporting us on Patreon with a small monthly donation at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Belief in magic and particularly the power of witchcraft was once a deep and enduring presence in popular culture; people created and concealed many objects to protect themselves from harmful magic. Brian Hoggard's book, Magical House Protection examines the principal forms of protection in Britain and beyond from the fourteenth century to the present day. Witch-bottles, dried cats, horse skulls, written charms, protection marks and concealed shoes were all used widely as methods of repelling, diverting or trapping negative energies. Many of these practices and symbols can be found around the globe, demonstrating the universal nature of efforts by people to protect themselves from witchcraft.In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, Brian discusses at length both the contents of the book and his extensive research project which has accumulated over 2,000 examples since it started in 1999.

In 1977, a set of three childrens books were published which would go on to become a cult classic. Among the most borrowed (and probably most stolen) from school libraries across the country, these three titles made up the Usborne Mysteries of the Unknown series. Individually, they were the Worlds of the Unknown that looked at Ghosts, Monsters and UFOs.

Recently, an internet petition and campaign ran to bring back the most loved of these three titles, Ghosts. In this episode of the podcast, host Mark Norman discusses the importance of this book with Usborne staff member Anna Howorth (who launched the campaign to bring the book back) and director of the animated film 'Borley Rectory', Ashley Thorpe.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and help keep all episodes ad-free, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The Girl Who Speaks Bear is Sophie Anderson's second book based around traditional Russian folk tales. Despite having only been published for a short time, she has already been shortlisted for a whole raft of awards - the Carnegie Medal, Children's Fiction Book of the Year, the Waterstones prize and many more.

On this episode of the podcast, host Mark Norman talks to Sophie about Russian folklore, why it is important to her and how she uses it in her writing as a storytelling mechanism.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to keep the show ad-free, and enjoy extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Russian hereditary witch,occultist and witchcraft scholar Natasha Helvin joins podcast host Mark Norman to discuss the beliefs, traditions and practices associated with witchcraft in the Slavic tradition. In what ways is this similar to other traditional witchcraft practices and how does it differ?

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

The rugged coastlines of the county of Cornwall, on the south-western tip of the UK, are etched with stories. Here you’ll find tales of powerful mermaids, spiteful witches, crafty smugglers and woeful ghosts. Up on the moors are mischievous creatures, huge giants and elusive beasts.

Joining the creator of The Folklore Podcast Mark Norman on this episode of the podcast is Cornish folklore writer Anna Chorlton. Through her new book, Cornish Folk Tales of Place, Anna retells collected tales of North and East Cornwall. These stories were recorded through a community project called Mazed Tales, which can be found on the internet at www.mazedtales.org.

Anna discusses the project, her writing and folklore collecting in Cornwall historically, and more.

Compared to the amount of folklore surrounding death customs and beliefs, there is little discussion about the beginning of our timelines - the traditions relating to pregnancy and birth. Redressing the balance, on this episode of The Folklore Podcast host Mark Norman is joined by Jemma Nicholls, a doula who has recently begun developing workshops looking specifically at these traditions and customs. Jemma has been researching these areas for some time, leading to the putting together of her new workshop entitled Charms and Childbirth.

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This special bonus episode of the Folklore Podcast, presented while the show is dark during December, gives listeners the chance to hear a talk on the folklore-rich Sherlock Holmes story "The Hound of the Baskervilles" by two very well-respected presenters.

Recorded at the Gothic Horror festival Hell Tor in November 2019, screenwriter Stephen Volk (Ghostwatch, Gothic) and actor and film historian Jonathan Rigby (English Gothic, American Gothic) discuss the development of the story of The Hound by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, look at some of the local stories which informed it, and talk through some of the film and TV adaptations of the story over the years.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Season 5 of The Folklore Podcast kicks off with a special extended episode. Host Mark Norman is joined by author Morgan Daimler to discuss their book 'A New Dictionary of Fairies' which builds on the research done by eminent folklorist Katharine Briggs, focusing on fairies in the Celtic and Western European traditions.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Visit Morgan's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MorganDaimler

Featured music guest, Chalk Horse Music: www.chalkhorsemusic.com

We present a recording of a performance by Bulgarian/English storytelling group 'A Spell in Time', recorded live in 2013 at the Folklore Society's Beasts in Legend and Tradition conference at Paignton Zoo.

Storyteller Moni Sheehan and musician Ivor Davies discuss the Bulgarian dragon known as the Zmey.

The episode is closed by special musical guest Polly Preacher.

Folklore Podcast Patreon: www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

A Spell in Time: https://www.spellintime.co.uk/

Polly Preacher: https://pollypreacher.bandcamp.com/

Released during National Storytelling Week 2020, this episode of The Folklore Podcast features guest interviewer Joana Varanda in discussion with British storytelling legend, and the first Storyteller Laureate Taffy Thomas MBE about his life and work. Taffy is the patron of the Society for Storytelling, has received the English Folk Dance and Song Society Gold Badge Award and his repertoire of around 300 stories, collected mostly by the traditional oral methods, makes him the most well known and respected of all English storytellers.

In this episode of The Folklore Podcast, we hear from author of dark historical fiction Anna Mazzola about her book 'The Story Keeper'...

A dark tale of folklore and disappearances on the Isle of Skye.

Audrey Hart travels to Skye and to the mansion of a reclusive folklorist to collect the folk and fairy tales of the local people. It is 1857, the Highland Clearances have left devastation and poverty, and the crofters are suspicious and hostile, claiming they no longer know their stories.

Then Audrey discovers the body of a young girl washed up in the bay beneath Lanerly, and the crofters reveal that it is only a matter of weeks since another girl disappeared. They believe the girls are victims of the restless dead: spirits who take the form of birds

Anna discusses her research and the ways that she negotiates history and folklore to produce fiction based on historical fact and narrative.

This episode is closed with music from singer/songwriter Sharron Kraus.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Author Edward Parnell joins The Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman to discuss his book 'Ghostland', which examines the intersections between folklore, folk horror, the landscape and literature.

Musical guests: The Last Inklings

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast for exclusive extra content

​Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman presents a study of the serpent-like creature of UK folklore, The Lambton Worm, and its place in the wider lore of dragons and similar creatures. Featuring guest contributions and a look at a new audio drama featuring the beast. Folk singer Roly Veitch performs the traditional song associated with the worm (click here to visit his website), Director Steven Sloss discusses the audio drama (available here).Musical guest: L.M. Cooke​Artwork donated by Laura Page. Visit her website here​Click here to support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon.

In the last episode of The Folklore Podcast to be recorded out of the confines of a house, before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Hedge Druid Stephen G. Rae (known as The Bard of Cumberland) discusses his path as a druid with podcast volunteer Joana Varanda. The conversation takes in such diverse elements as Cumberland and Tibetan folklore, yeti, boggarts, being a druid and more, along with some traditional folk tales.

Music: Celtic Impulse Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon for additional content. Visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Folklore Podcast creator Mark Norman presents a series of short bonus articles looking at Easter traditions in various parts of Europe, researched and written by members of the podcast volunteer team.

Contributors: Selene Paxton-Brooks, Pola Sciavone, Joana Varanda and Lara C Cory.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon at www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Welcome to Episode 1 of “Family Matters” - a folk horror roleplaying adventure set in the fictional village of Solemn Vale. Located somewhere in the South West of England, an idyllic facade of rural bliss masks a dark and sinister side of a community riddled with malevolence and corruption.

Solemn Vale is a narrative driven storytelling game where the players tell abhorrent tales of horror and the supernatural, making it a perfect mechanism for us to explore, through storytelling and narrative, ways of incorporating folklore into the everyday. If you want an easy-to-understand hint into the style of the game, think about the classic folk horror stable of films such as The Wicker Man or Blood on Satan’s Claw.

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying

Music by ProtoU, courtesy of CryoChamber

Storyteller: Matthew Dawkins

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to help us keep producing content

Please note that this content is not suitable for children.

This episode contains sexual content and is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18.

Welcome to Episode 2 of “Family Matters” - a folk horror roleplaying adventure set in the fictional village of Solemn Vale. Located somewhere in the South West of England, an idyllic facade of rural bliss masks a dark and sinister side of a community riddled with malevolence and corruption.

Solemn Vale is a narrative driven storytelling game where the players tell abhorrent tales of horror and the supernatural, making it a perfect mechanism for us to explore, through storytelling and narrative, ways of incorporating folklore into the everyday. If you want an easy-to-understand hint into the style of the game, think about the classic folk horror stable of films such as The Wicker Man or Blood on Satan’s Claw.

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying

Music by ProtoU, courtesy of CryoChamber

Storyteller: Matthew Dawkins

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to help us keep producing content

This episode contains adult language and is not suitable for listeners under the age of 18.

Welcome to Episode 3 of “Family Matters” - a folk horror roleplaying adventure set in the fictional village of Solemn Vale. Located somewhere in the South West of England, an idyllic facade of rural bliss masks a dark and sinister side of a community riddled with malevolence and corruption.

Solemn Vale is a narrative driven storytelling game where the players tell abhorrent tales of horror and the supernatural, making it a perfect mechanism for us to explore, through storytelling and narrative, ways of incorporating folklore into the everyday. If you want an easy-to-understand hint into the style of the game, think about the classic folk horror stable of films such as The Wicker Man or Blood on Satan’s Claw.

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying

Music by ProtoU, courtesy of CryoChamber

Storyteller: Matthew Dawkins

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to help us keep producing content

As we pass Walpurgis Night, the Folklore Podcast releases from its archives a public lecture given in 2017 by the eminent and popular historian Ronald Hutton. Written just before the publication of his book, 'The Witch', in this talk Ronald picks apart the mythology of the Wild Hunt and argues that its origins come from a melding of various folk tales, rather than the traditional shamanistic pagan roots often attributed.

The question and answer session from this talk is available on our Patreon page.

Our adventure in Solemn Vale continues (and continues to get stranger). Graham and Linda choose to avoid a suggestion that they might want to return to London and instead find lodgings at The Bowler's Arm pub. What could possibly go wrong...?

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying.

Listen to the unedited recordings and other bonus content, and help to support The Folklore Podcast and keep us producing extra content on our Patreon page.

Having finished the tour of the house left to her by her late aunt Demelza, Linda Parker and her husband Graham return to the 'Bowler's Arm' pub in Solemn Vale for a hearty pint of Badger's Stump and a look at the local entertainment. Nothing can possibly go wrong...

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying.

Storyteller: Matthew Dawkins

Music by ProtoU, courtesy of Cryochamber.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to enable us to keep producing free entertainment. Please click here.

Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman is joined by buildings archaeologist James Wright to explore the different ways in which both high status and the more common buildings were protected from harm by both their builders and their occupants, through the use of ritual marking. The discussion also takes in medieval graffiti along the way.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon for extra audio and other content, and help to keep the show free to listen to. Visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Our folk horror adventure in the fictional village of Solemn Vale concludes. Will Graham and Linda Parker resolve their difficulties and get back to normal life...?

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying

Storyteller: Matthew Dawkins

Music by ProtoU. Used with permission from CryoChamber.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon here.

We begin a new series of bonus content, with another roleplaying story which is rich in folklore. 'The Austringer' is set within the game 'The Shivering Circle' which was developed and written by Howard David Ingham, who also acts as storyteller for this adventure.

Our team of characters are travelling to film at the mysterious stone circle on Hoddesham Down, which is known for its strange phenomena. They are making an episode of 'Eric Higginson's World of the Strange'. Will anything unusual happen while they are on site...?

We are joined for this adventure by Hjalmar Norden and Jenny Bremberg from Red Moon Roleplaying.

Please note: this content is not suitable for children due to language.

Music: Kai Engel, used under Creative Commons license from freemusicarchive.org

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and help us to keep producing free content for you to enjoy. www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Our storytelling adventure 'The Austringer' continues. As this episode begins, Gareth the runner is heading to the vets to report the unfortunate accident which the team had on the road to Hoddesford.

Please note: this content is not suitable for children due to language.

Special guests: Jenny Bremberg and Hjalmar Norden of Red Moon Roleplaying

Storyteller: Howard David Ingham

Music: Kai Engel, used under Creative Commons Licence from freemusicarchive.org

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and help us to keep producing free content for you to enjoy.

www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

All over the world, and throughout the ages, people have been convinced that we are not alone on this earth. That other creatures exist in our world, alongside humans and animals and that even though they may resemble us, they are entirely different beings, neither human nor divine but representing something else. They have been known by many names and take many forms.

So begins the Introduction to the book 'Vaesen', by Swedish author and illustrator Johan Egerkrans. On this episode of The Folklore Podcast, Johan joins podcast creator and host Mark Norman to discuss his research into the Swedish creatures of myth and folklore known as the Vaesen.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and keep new content coming out ad-free, please click here.

The penultimate episode of our Folk Horror storytelling game, The Austringer. Eric Higginson, the presenter of 'World of the Strange' arrives to film his segments for the programme on The Shivering Circle. And things continue do, indeed, get strange.

Please note that this content is not suitable for children.

Storyteller: Howard David Ingham

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying

Music by Kai Engel, under a Creative Commons License from freemusicarchive.org

Our adventure at The Shivering Circle concludes, and you get to hear what happened after the team left Hoddesham.

Storyteller: Howard David Ingham

Guest Players: Hjalmar Norden and Jenny Bremberg

Produced in collaboration with Red Moon Roleplaying

Music written and performed by Kai Engel. Used under a Creative Commons Licence from freemusicarchive.org

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to keep our content free and the show viable. www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Released on Midsummer Day 2020, Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman introduces a look at the festival through the lens of the folk horror film Midsommar. Mark discusses some aspects of the festival and presents two pieces by volunteer researchers Joana Varanda and Pola Schiavone. The first of these discusses a theory that the narrative construction relates to the cards presented in the Major Arcana of the Tarot. In the second, the role of food as a ritual within both the film and the festival is examined.

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and receive the transcript of this episode and other exclusive content and rewards. Click here to visit the Patreon page.

Sensationalised by Hollywood, the reality behind the rituals and practices of exorcism is somewhat different. Historian Dr Francis Young joins podcast creator and host Mark Norman to discuss the approach taken in medieval times, representations of the rituals in folklore and more.

Francis also offers the following book recommendations for further reading:

A History of Exorcism in Catholic Christianity, and A History of Anglican Exorcism (by himself)

The Devil Within (Brian P. Levack)

The Haunted: A Social History of Ghosts (Owen Davies)

Support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon to keep the show free and to allow us to create more content: www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

Following on from our foray into roleplaying games with bonus content adventures for the folk horror games of Solemn Vale and Shivering Circle, we explore the subject in more detail.

How is folklore represented in the tabletop gaming environment? Is it all monsters and creatures, or are there other approaches which look more into our social history? What makes for a strong narrative dynamic and do these techniques draw on the oral storytelling which transmitted folklore in the first place?

In an interview recorded for the 2020 Archaeogaming Convention hosted by the Archaeological Fantasies podcast, we are joined by game developer Matthew Dawkins and GM storyteller Tom Murr to examine this area.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and get uncut access to video versions of our interviews as well as much more extra content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

There can be little doubt that, of all the instruments in the orchestra, the harp is the most beautiful and ethereal sounding of them all. Its religious connections with the angelic host are widely known, but not discussed as often are its appearances in folklore.

On this episode of the podcast, recorded in the open-air, host Mark Norman talks with professional harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry, the world's only silent movie harp accompanist and a composer whose unique research into fairy harp music led to a West End play with Simon Callow and a performance at Prince Charles's unveiling of the Elfin Oak in Kensington Gardens.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and keep the project viable, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast

To hear Elizabeth-Jane's radio interview on Fairy Harp music, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeQoIO7uyc0

Folklore Podcast creator and host Mark Norman invites 11 more of the world's great folklore and history podcasts - from America, Australia and the UK - to join a mass recording session to discuss their favourite folklore stories.

In this episode you will hear stories from all 12 of the podcasts. Some of the tales are well known. Others far more obscure. But which one is the ultimate folklore story?

In the next episode, you will get to hear the discussion and see which story was voted into the top slot.

During September, the Folklore Podcast will be releasing an episode every week. If you would like to see more content as a permanent fixture, please help us to reach our next Patreon support goal. Visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast to sign up and receive extra content and rewards.

We present the second part of our mass recording session with 11 other folklore and mythology themed podcasts, trying to decide who has the best and most entertaining folklore tale. Last week you heard the stories. This week ... it's the free-for-all discussion and voting. Who will come out on top?

Featuring musical guests Strangefolk

We are putting out an episode a week through September. If you would like to see more content coming out permanently, please consider helping us to reach our next support goal by signing up for our Patreon. You can access a whole back catalogue of exclusive extra content there too.

www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast to keep us free and viable!

Journalist and author Asher Elbein and illustrator Tiffany Turrill join Folklore Podcast host Mark Norman to look at the folklore of the Appalachian regions of the United States. How did Cherokee and incoming tales and beliefs combine to forge the stories that we find in this area of the world? As a springboard for this discussion, we use Asher and Tiffany's book 'Ghost Days'. The stories of protagonist Anna O'Brien are set in the region and feature many of the characters and creatures from Appalachian lore.

Tiffany's website: www.tiffanyturrill.com

Asher's website: www.asherelbein.com

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One year on from the phenomenally popular re-release of the classic Usborne book 'All About Ghosts', we return to the stable as Usborne reprint the equally iconic 'All About UFOs' from their World of the Unknown series.

Joining host Mark Norman to discuss the topic are TV impressionist and astronomer Jon Culshaw (who wrote the foreword for the new printing) and returning guest Dr David Clarke, who was the official spokes-person when the Ministry of Defence declassified many of their UFO documents at the National Archives.

Musical guest: Polly Preacher

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Creator and host of The Folklore Podcast, Mark Norman, is joined by Carnegie shortlisted children's author Zana Fraillon, whose latest book 'The Lost Soul Atlas' deals with the folkloric trope of a passage through the afterlife. Zana also discusses her love of folklore generally and some of the Australian influences from her own culture in her writing.

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We talk to the Welsh Children's Laureate Eloise Williams and children's authors P.G. Bell and Matt Brown about a really important new project to bring out the first ever dual Welsh/English language reworking of 'The Mabinogion' aimed specifically at children.

The project, being realised through Unbound, will involve 11 of the best Welsh children's writers and will also include packages and teaching materials for schools.

Musical guest: Sharron Kraus

To support the project being discussed in this episode, please click here.

To access exclusive bonus content and help keep The Folklore Podcast running, please click here.

Bestselling author Joanne Harris joins Mark Norman, the creator of The Folklore Podcast in a discussion of the importance of folklore, storytelling and her brand new book Orfeia - the third in a series of folklore-rich novellas constructed as reworkings of some of the Child Ballads. At the end of the episode, as a bonus feature, Joanne herself reads the first chapter of Orfeia.

To support the Folklore Podcast on Patreon and help us to keep producing content, please visit www.patreon.com/thefolklorepodcast where you can also access a whole catalogue of exclusive extra material.

A free ghost story for Halloween. "The Diary of Mr Poynter" by MR James. Performed by Circle of Spears Productions.

Learn more about the performers at www.circleofspears.com

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