From the Gorgon to the Gift Shop: A Brief Archaeology of the Evil Eye
The matiasma is an apotropaic amulet designed to ward off the evil eye in Greek folklore.
Off the Grid: The Epic Tale of The Dun Cow, or… How Now Brown Cow?
There was once a bright-white cow which travelled round the world, giving milk enough for all comers. Whoever drank of her milk immediately became wise.
From Thor to Twitter: Flyting and the Norse Tradition of Insulting Your Enemies
One of the main tactics the Norse gods employed in their struggles, aside from outright trickery and brute force, was trading verbal insults.
“Magical Folk”: A Review
Dr. Bob Curran reviews “Magical Folk”, a new book edited by Simon Young and Ceri Houlbrook, which explores a range of fairy folklore from across the world.
A Thousand Years Before Tolkien: The Original Evil Magic Ring
An evil magic ring, associated with dwarf and dragon – what a great idea Tolkien had for his books! But he actually borrowed it from ancient Viking legends…