Magic to Heal the ‘Wandering Womb’ in Antiquity
The idea that the womb wandered about the female body was prevalent in antiquity, even after it was disproven by some ancient physicians.
Dark and Intriguing: The Challenges of Ashmolean’s Spellbound Exhibition
The exhibition “Spellbound: Magic, Ritual & Witchcraft” at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford examines the history of magic over eight centuries, and shows how our ancestors used magical thinking to cope with the unpredictable world around them. Nick Swarbrick reviews the exhibition and the subjects which it explores.
The Nordic Goat of Christmas Past and Present
He used to bleat. Walking upright, a goat the size of a grown man would tramp in from the cold with a sack hanging over his shoulder, bleating.
Just Hanging Around: The Gallows in English Folklore
The gallows play a dark role in the history of punishment, but also show an important influence in folklore, folk practices, and even everyday language.
Upcoming Event: The Ballad of British Folklore
We’ve just received an exciting press release about an exhibition charting the history of the The Museum of British Folklore.