In Scottish folklore, if a house goblin such as a brownie is treated with disrespect, it can transform into a "bogle." This nasty goblin will devote itself to vandalizing the house and tormenting its inhabitants with the same dedication that the brownie kept things neat and tidy.
The Vestal Virgins maintained the sacred fire of Vesta, goddess of hearth and home, for the goddess was quite at home at Rome and a sacred order of women was made to maintain the fire for official sacrifices and rituals; Christians extinguished it in 394. #FolkloreSunday
The bean-nighe (Scottish Gaelic for "washerwoman") or "Washer at the Ford" is a Scottish fairy and omen of death. She appears as an old woman at some desolate stream or pool, where she is washing the blood from the grave clothes of someone who will soon die.
Katherine Soutar
The pech are Scottish goblins who have great strength despite their small size. An old, sick pech on his deathbed was able to shatter a metal cup by squeezing it. Along with the giants, the pech were said to be the builders of Scotland's ancient stone megaliths.
Sekhmet is the daughter of Ra, his enforcer and protector of pharaohs. The lioness-headed goddess is known as the Mistress of Slaughter for becoming so consumed with bloodlust on Ra'a behalf, she almost drowned the world in blood. #FolkloreSunday
: A. Looz
"A new Scottish tartan has been created to honor the thousands of people—primarily women—executed for witchcraft in Scotland between the 16th and 18th centuries.”
https://wildhunt.org/2025/02/newly-approved-tartan-design-memorializes-those-persecuted-under-scotlands-witchcraft-act.html #folkloresunday
In Norse mythology, the Aesir gods usually travel between Asgard and Earth via Bifröst, the Rainbow Bridge. However, Thor is so heavy that he would shatter a rainbow if he walked on it, so he has to take the long way around and ford a mighty river. Lorenz Frølich
In Wales, the fairy colours are white and gold, making fairies seem akin to beings of light. However, light doesn't always mean good. Hafgan ("Summer White") battles the hero Pwyll while Gwyn ap Nudd ("White, son of Fog") tempts saints and drives people insane. John Duncan
My latest article about the goddess Benzaiten and my pilgrimage to visit some of her shrines.
https://open.substack.com/pub/curiousordinary/p/benzaiten?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2q0akd
#FolkloreSunday #MythologyMonday #folklore #japan #japantravel @folklore @mythology
In European folklore, mandrake root was used to create magical amulets or potions. However, the plant was said to scream if pulled from the ground, and any who heard the scream died. Thus, sorcerers would tie the mandrake to an animal so that the animal could uproot it.
The most potent magic of the great Welsh magician Gwydion was turning plants into people. He worked with his uncle Math to transform a bunch of flowers into a wife for his ward Lleu Llaw Gyffes, and later turned a grove of trees into an army to fight an invading fairy host. Dreoilin
In Mesopotamian mythology, the demigod King Gilgamesh was a tyrant, so the gods sent the wild man Enkidu to defeat him. Though Gilgamesh won, he was impressed by Enkidu's strength and tenacity. Because of his love for the wild man, Gilgamesh became a good king. Ludmila Zeman
In many versions, Lancelot and Guinevere fall in love when he rescues her from the knight Maleagant. However, in a fragment of an earlier Welsh legend, it's King Arthur's foster brother Kay who rescues her instead. This suggests that maybe Kay was Guinevere's original lover. Henry Justice Ford
Today in Japan is Setsubun, a festival for driving out bad luck and welcoming good fortune. The most popular ritual involves throwing beans. I've written a quick overview at the link below if you'd like to find out more. My Substack newsletter is completely free so please subscribe for new content if you're interested.
https://open.substack.com/pub/curiousordinary/p/setsubun?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=2q0akd
#FolkloreSunday #JapaneseFolklore #setsubun #folklore #japan #yokai @folklore
In Greek mythology, the Aegis was a cloak of animal skin or a shield of great protective power that the god Zeus wore, and then later gave to his favourite child: Athena. Later, Athena adorned the Aegis with the severed head of Medusa to terrify her enemies.
Owain (or "Ywain") was one of King Arthur's warriors. He had a strong bond with animals, and his closest companion was a black lion. In Welsh myths, Owain also commanded the 300 Ravens of Kenverchyn - a host of giant ravens that could destroy almost any human army.
The adar llwch gwin were huge birds (or possibly griffins) in Welsh myth. Drudwas ap Tryffin owned a pair. Just before he dueled King Arthur, Drudwas ordered them to kill the first man to enter the battlefield. However, Drudwas accidentally entered first, so his birds tore him to pieces.
The Gwragedd Annwn are Welsh fairies who appear as beautiful nymphs in green dresses. They dwell under certain lakes and rivers (most commonly in the mountains), and raise herds of beautiful white cattle whose milk has magical healing properties. Lancelot Speed
Though modern culture often depicts the Norse goddess Freyja as simply the goddess of love, a Nordic Venus, she was also a goddess of war and witchcraft. Norse witches wore catskin gloves in her honor, and Odin was said to have learned much of his magic from Freyja. Iren Horrors
#FolkloreSunday: „January 6th is marked by Nollaig na mBan or Women's Little Christmas.
On this day it is the tradition in Ireland for the women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas, while the men folk stay at home and handle all the chores. It is also common for children to buy their mothers and grandmothers presents on this day, though this custom is gradually being overtaken by Mothers Day.“ #Celtic
Source: https://www.discoveringireland.com/nollaig-na-mban-womens-little-christmas/
