British Folklore: The Traditional Jack-in-the-Green
The Jack-in-the-Green was (and indeed is) a traditional participant in May celebrations and May Day parades in the UK.
Cross Your Fingers – Luck, Lies, & Ladders
The final article in the series exploring common superstitions is ‘fingers crossed.’ Crossing your fingers is a common gesture in English speaking countries for luck or to cover up little white lies, but where does it originate from?
Sky Goddesses, Spring Mechanisms, or Sprites: Why Is it Bad Luck to Open an Umbrella Inside?
Madeline D’Este explores the possible origins behind the common belief that the act of opening an umbrella indoors invites bad luck.
What Is a Witch? Defining Witchcraft in the ‘Malleus Maleficarum’
The concept of a witch, that is a practitioner of magic, has been part of western folklore for centuries, yet throughout that time it has been subject to continuous reinterpretations.
The Witch Files: Going to Sea in an Eggshell
Make sure you crush up your eggshells after eating an egg, otherwise witches will use them as boats and cause great harm!