The folklore section of this website contains information about various
aspects of Euopean folklore. This includes ancient, medieval, and modern
folklore.
Animals and Fairies
- Birds and Death
The relationship between birds and death in Irish and Welsh folklore.
- Butterflies
A brief article on butterflies in Irish folklore and culture.
- Ganceann
A fairy known as the "love talker."
- Kelpie
The Scottish water-horse faerie known as the kelpie. Also includes information about the Irish phooka and the Manx glashtyn.
- Water Horses and Other Fairy Steeds
A long essay that discusses the role of the water horse and goat within
Irish and Welsh folklore and other insular folk traditions. Includes
discussions on the kelpie, phooka, chalk hillside markings, the white
mare of sovereignty, hodening, the Marw Llwyd, and the Wild Hunt.
Anthropology
- A Maelstrom of Symbols
A brief introduction to symbolic anthropology using the techniques of Victor
Turner. Symbol anthropology is a perspective which can be used to understand
and interpret cultural symbolism and meaning.
Celestial Phenomena
- Aurora Borealis
An essay on the Insular folklore and beliefs which are associated with the aurora borealis and its movements in the sky.
- Celestial Folklore
Western European astronomy and folklore. A listing of various names and
folklore associated with stars, planets, constellations, and other
celestial bodies.
- Celtic Zodiac
Information and folklore about the zodiac in Welsh and Anglo-Saxon culture during the medieval period.
- Pillar of the Sun
An excerpt which explains the idea of a pillar which support the earth as found in Irish traditions.
Festivals
- Michaelmas
The folklore and customs associated with the Scottish observation of Michaelsmas.
Folk Magic
- Hand of Glory
An excerpt which introduces the hand of glory and details its manufacture and use.
- Knots, Threads, and Spinning
A short article which discusses the older interpretations of vampirism and its
relationship to spinning, thread, and knots.
Prayers and Invocations
