The Weardale Fairies
‘The Weardale Fairies’. Extracted from English Fairy Tales and Legends by Rosalind Kerven, published by Batsford. Illustration by Arthur Rackham, Mary Evans Picture Library.
Evil Twins and Doppelgangers: What Meaning Does the Double Have in Folklore?
Many cultures have beliefs around shadows, reflections, and paintings. Taking control of doppelgangers in these forms means taking control of the soul.
Folklore as a Mode of Tyrannical Resistance
Folklore can be said to flourish in times of unrest and oppression, and can be seen as a powerful and imaginative means of resistance to social tyranny.
Easter Folklore: Spring Festivals and Forecasts
With the renewal of the natural world in spring comes the celebration of Easter, when many ancient traditions are still kept alive today.
Tanuki: Mischief, Magic and Change in the Japanese Countryside
The Japanese raccoon dog or tanuki, a shape-shifting, hedonistic and jovial trickster, has always lived in the borderlands between human settlement and the wilderness