Roses are Red: The Sinister Side of Valentine’s Day Folklore
Sending mean cards? Eating mashed earthworms? Using jack o’lanterns to light medieval love banquets? They’re all surprising yet vaguely sinister ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Cuckoo Day and Animal Sacrifice: Folklore of the Creatures of Spring
Spring is the herald of new life, and throughout the animal world, spring is a time to forecast the weather – and more – for the summer to come.
Spirit Possession and Shamanic Ritual in South Korea: Business is booming
Whilst shamans and their rituals can vary widely from place to place, never in world history has a country industrialized at such breakneck speed as the case of South Korea. Should we be surprised to find new expressions of old shamanic traditions on the high street today?
All Hael! All Hael! Singing with the Kibbo Kift
What sort of music did a 1920s utopian youth movement fiercely opposed to mainstream society actually like? The Kindred of the Kibbo Kift (‘KK’) were creatures of their time.
Protection from Evil, Bad Traffic or Bears: Omamori in Japanese Culture
Although their origins lie in Japanese folk traditions, omamori are still a popular sight throughout Japan. The word itself, 御守り, doesn’t have a direct translation into English, but they are protection charms – usually for sale within both Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines – which are said to contain spirits.