The hottest Folklore Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top History Topics

Ghost Routines

slow motion multitasking • 515 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🎭️ Culture Art Literature Folklore Tradition Spirituality
  1. Some people believe that ghosts are not actual souls but imprints of past routines or strong emotions. For example, if someone cried a lot in one spot, that might leave a haunting behind.
  2. The theory states that certain places and objects can 'record' these memories, similar to how a tape recorder works. This idea is great for understanding why old castles might feel extra spooky.
  3. Interesting ghost stories can include everything from haunted toys to the history of numbers like 13. Exploring ghost culture can be fun and spooky, especially during Halloween!

British myth and folk tales and the 'law of the land'

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 3574 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Mythology Folklore Traditions
  1. British myths and folklore contain principles for living in balance with nature, even without a clear set of guidelines, evident in stories passed down through generations.
  2. The concept of a Wasteland in legends like Arthurian tales symbolizes consequences for disrespecting nature and the feminine, resulting in infertility and disruption of the natural order.
  3. Flooding and inundation in Celtic literature serve as punishments for wrongdoing or carelessness, emphasizing the need to respect the land, the Otherworld, and the feminine to avoid negative consequences.

Start here

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 4992 implied HN points • 15 Jul 23
📚 Literature Storytelling Mythology Psychology Folklore
  1. Dr. Sharon Blackie focuses on reimagining women's stories, myths, and fairy tales, emphasizing the importance of these traditions in addressing modern cultural and environmental issues.
  2. The concept of enchantment, as defined by Dr. Sharon Blackie, involves a profound connection to the world, a sense of wonder, and engagement with creativity and nature, promoting a slow and ethical way of living.
  3. Dr. Sharon Blackie offers different engagement levels through free subscriptions, paid subscriptions with exclusive content on myth, fairy tales, and psychology, and an exclusive membership called The Hearth for deeper exploration and support.

Calling all rooted women ...

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2935 implied HN points • 04 Nov 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Rituals Folklore Beliefs Spiritual Practices
  1. The post highlights the focus on ancestral ties and the upcoming book 'Hearth', emphasizing the importance of place and heritage in storytelling and creativity.
  2. The author shares insights about the North Sea, childhood memories, and the inspiration that nature and history provide for her work on folklore and traditions.
  3. There are exciting updates about the upcoming 'Rooted Woman Oracle' and an online event 'The Descent', showcasing the author's exploration of myths, rituals, and empowerment through storytelling.

The owl season

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2536 implied HN points • 07 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Folklore Spiritual Practices Mysticism Community
  1. The newsletter discusses folklore, book releases, and interviews about myths and legends, emphasizing the importance of nature and storytelling.
  2. The writer shares personal reflections on aging, seasonal changes, and the joy of creating in solitude, highlighting the cyclical nature of elderhood and the importance of setting boundaries.
  3. The post also features updates on community events, reading recommendations, and a workshop on the myth of Psyche and Eros, showcasing a diverse range of literary content and upcoming activities.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The anti-woke hero's journey

Read Max • 2423 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Current Events Media Folklore
  1. Some high-profile individuals like Bill Ackman and Elon Musk have transitioned from generic liberalism to becoming prominent anti-woke figures.
  2. Both Ackman and Musk utilize their media presence and attention for their political campaigns, believing it symbolizes genuine power.
  3. Ackman and Musk approach their anti-woke campaigns with a logic similar to their investment strategies, showing a strong attachment to Twitter as a platform for discourse.

Greening the Hag

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 2116 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Folklore Women Nature Archetypes
  1. The Cailleach from Scottish and Irish folklore represents an archetype with profound teachings about connection to the land and aspects of aging.
  2. Older women in ancient stories like the Cailleach have an important role as guardians and protectors of the land, offering valuable lessons for contemporary society.
  3. Exploring folklore about the Cailleach as an ecofeminist figure can provide insight into the depth and richness of ancestral traditions surrounding giant old women in Europe.

Traditional Methods of Black Magic

Traditions of Conflict • 26 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Anthropology Traditions Magic Folklore Rituals
  1. Many cultures believe in using things like hair or personal items to harm others through magic. This idea reflects a common practice of using what's connected to someone to affect them.
  2. Supernatural beliefs may persist because people start to feel sick or anxious after hearing they’ve been cursed, which makes them believe in the power of magic more strongly.
  3. There’s a connection between these beliefs and how humans think; people often mistake coincidence for causation, leading to a cycle of magic, fear, and belief.

Panic In Zanzibar: Nocturnal Sodomy & Demon-Bats

Grey Goose Chronicles • 1041 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Anthropology History Spirituality Folklore Politics
  1. In Zanzibar, a collective panic occurred in 1995 due to reports of attacks by a shape-shifting spirit called Popobawa, resulting in violence and fear among residents.
  2. The Popobawa legend is a complex mix of political tensions, taboo sexual elements, supernatural beliefs, and historical legacies, making it challenging to interpret.
  3. The phenomenon of the Popobawa offers insights into Zanzibar's history, culture, and divisions, reflecting how fears and stories can have real-world impacts on communities.

The Mountain

Secretum Secretorum • 656 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
📚 Literature Fiction Short Stories Japanese culture Folklore
  1. The journey to enlightenment can be tough and filled with challenges, but companions can help support you along the way.
  2. Facing your fears is important. The things that scare you often come from your own experiences and past choices.
  3. We all carry our own burdens and past decisions, represented by the skulls in the story, which remind us that we are shaped by our own dreams and desires.

Very Local History

So Here’s a Thing • 1278 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
💾 History Local Events Folklore Community
  1. The post shares little-known historical events from Santa Cruz, revealing intriguing stories about individuals and unique happenings in the region's past.
  2. Each image in the post is accompanied by a caption detailing an unusual event, focusing on peculiar individuals and occurrences in Santa Cruz's history.
  3. The narratives in the post blend elements of mystery, history, and the supernatural, adding layers of fascination to the stories.

Barangay stories: the Aswang and the jealous auntie

Wyclif's Dust • 268 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Folklore Mythology Family Storytelling Tradition
  1. The Aswang is a local Filipino monster that can scare children into behaving. It is said to look like a human, which makes it even creepier.
  2. Beliefs like the Aswang play a big role in Filipino culture and storytelling, blending fear with community wisdom.
  3. The story of the jealous auntie highlights struggles with mental health and relationships, showing how jealousy can strain even the closest ties.

Drops of enchantment 1

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1178 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Crafting Folklore
  1. The post is about crafting from the land and its stories, emphasizing a connection to nature and folklore.
  2. The author discusses their practice of working with fabric, ink, and found objects, highlighting a handcrafted and creative approach.
  3. The content is available for paid subscribers only, with a mention to subscribe for access to more posts.

New roofs and holy moles

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1138 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Spiritual Practice Folklore Meditation Transformation
  1. The house is shared with various animals like birds and insects, creating a harmonious living environment.
  2. Engaging with deep imagination through guided journeys can help in activating mythic imagination.
  3. Exploring fairy tales as adults can provide insights into personal transformation, archetypes, and reimagining life narratives.

Monsters of the PNW

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 21 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Folklore Nature Mythology
  1. PNW is known for its love of mythical creatures like Sasquatch and the Cadborosaurus, a sea serpent that arose from sightings in 1933. This makes the region full of fascinating stories.
  2. One funny event involved a theory that geoducks were actually eggs of the Cadborosaurus. It led to ridiculous plans to catch them using mothballs, showing how far some ideas can stretch.
  3. There's a possibility of large fish, like sturgeon, living in urban lakes like Lake Washington. This reminds us that nature holds many surprises and we often don't know everything about it.

Death in the European psyche

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 938 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Myth Folklore Death
  1. The post discusses how Death is represented in European myth and folklore, highlighting archetypal forms and stories related to this concept.
  2. It encourages readers to reflect on their own relationship with death and prompts them to think deeper about this topic.
  3. The content is available for paid subscribers only, showing that the exploration of Death in the European psyche is offered as exclusive content.

A Fairy Tree Encounter: Bridging Worlds in the Island Woods

The Planet • 412 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Folklore Traditions Beliefs Mythology Magic
  1. Discovering a fairy tree can feel like stumbling upon a magical portal connecting our world to that of elves and fairies.
  2. Leaving offerings at fairy trees stems from ancient Celtic traditions, symbolizing respect and a plea for good fortune.
  3. Despite skepticism, tales of mysterious happenings near fairy trees continue to spark wonder and captivate imaginations.

Rattler Killing Roadrunners

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Wildlife Natural History Birding Folklore Environmentalism
  1. Roadrunners are not just cartoon characters; they're real birds that are beautiful and have unique colors. They can be seen running around in their natural habitat, which is pretty thrilling.
  2. These birds are skilled hunters and eat various creatures, including rattlesnakes. They even have clever methods to catch their prey, like using cholla pads.
  3. Roadrunners have a fascinating relationship with humans and many legends surrounding them. They are known to bring good luck and can even help lost travelers find their way.

Welcome to The Art of Enchantment

The Art of Enchantment, with Dr Sharon Blackie • 1278 implied HN points • 03 Jun 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Mythology Philosophy Spirituality Folklore Transformation
  1. The newsletter, The Art of Enchantment, by Dr. Sharon Blackie, covers topics from mythology, psychology, religion, philosophy, spirituality, and folklore.
  2. Dr. Sharon Blackie explains the importance of writers earning a living from their work and providing value to their supporters.
  3. Paid supporters of the newsletter receive exclusive content and can engage in subscriber-only conversations with Dr. Sharon Blackie.

TITAA #50: Slow Grey Mares Stuck at Exit 8

Things I Think Are Awesome • 196 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Folklore AI Art Animation VR Poetry
  1. The post discusses the Welsh tradition of Mari Lwyd, a skeletal horse pranking people during New Year's Eve.
  2. Mari Lwyd is associated with village mummers in south Wales in the 1800s and is constructed of a horse's skull and a white sheet.
  3. The post also covers various AI art tools, including an AI animation artist called NiceAunties and AI-generated SVG from images.

A Féchín Rumour

The Abbey of Misrule • 300 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
💾 History Religious history Folklore
  1. The pilgrimage site of St. Féchín contains a mass grave from the Great Famine in Ireland.
  2. St. Féchín's well, known for healing, is now dry and neglected in a field of cows.
  3. Historical rumors suggest St. Féchín may have played a role in a deadly plague upon society as a response to a request.

The First Rider

Soaring Twenties • 108 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
⚔ Fiction Historical Storytelling Short Story Folklore
  1. The story revolves around a small tribe in Eastern Europe/Central Asia around 4000 BC speaking a Proto-Indo-European language.
  2. Hester's bonding with a duckling named Swepna showcases a heartwarming connection and her defiance to protect it from becoming a feast for a ceremony.
  3. Bergu's tale of taming the horse Ekwos illustrates courage, friendship with animals, and the importance of respecting nature and the creatures within it.

Boracherro: The Flower That Charms & Harms

Tripsitter • 79 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Psychedelics Plants Toxicity Folklore
  1. The Boracherro tree, also known as Angel's Trumpets, may seem beautiful but contains psychoactive compounds that can be deadly and induce intense hallucinations.
  2. Brugmansia, a genus of ornamental shrubs including Boracherro, have vibrant flowers and are extinct in the wild but abundant in cultivation, with psychoactive properties.
  3. Boracherro contains tropane alkaloids like scopolamine that can lead to delirium, vivid hallucinations, and dangerous side effects, emphasizing the importance of caution and shamanic guidance in its use.

The Germanic Thunderweapon Part III: The Thunderstone

Norse Mythology & Germanic Lore • 19 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
📚 Literature Mythology Folklore
  1. Thor overcame challenges without his hammer by using a stone and a staff called Grid's Wale, showing his resourcefulness and strength.
  2. Ancient folklore across many cultures has stories of thunderstones, which are stone-age tools mistaken for objects fallen from the sky during thunderstorms.
  3. There are linguistic connections between thunderstones and Thor's association with thunder, hinting at a deeper relationship between the god and these enigmatic stones.

The Jester of Death

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
💾 History Medieval Folklore Biography Legends Ghost stories
  1. Tom Skelton was a jester at Muncaster Castle, but he had a dark side. He sometimes directed travelers to their doom, showing his cruel nature.
  2. Tom was involved in a murder plot, killing a carpenter to please a nobleman. This act led to tragedy for many people, especially the nobleman's love interest.
  3. After his death, strange happenings at the castle continued, and his ghost is said to haunt the place, making it a site for eerie stories.

When Birds Mean Death

Bird History • 19 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture History Folklore Beliefs Symbolism Nature
  1. Owls have historically been associated with death and fear by different cultures, with beliefs about their calls foretelling misfortune or demise.
  2. The arrival of European settlers in America brought over beliefs about birds, like owls, being evil omens, creating a sense of fear and superstition towards them.
  3. The intimidating and mysterious nature of owls, especially their nocturnal habits and unique physical characteristics, contribute to their reputation as ominous symbols.

The Haunted Prison Cell

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture History Folklore Mythology Supernatural
  1. In 1872, a police cell in New Orleans was haunted after a woman named Ann Murphy hanged herself there. Following her death, many inmates tried to commit suicide in the same cell.
  2. Witnesses described seeing Ann Murphy's ghost encouraging them to take their own lives. Her appearance matched detailed descriptions given by several survivors.
  3. The haunting continued after the cell was closed for use, with reports of strange happenings and more suicide attempts in other cells, indicating that the supernatural influence may have spread.

Spencer Longo: TIME

Do Not Research • 39 implied HN points • 16 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Folklore Conspiracy Religion Cults
  1. The 'TIME' body of work by Spencer Longo visualizes millenarian anxieties through unconventional juxtapositions of text and images on old Time magazine spreads, reflecting on modern conspiratorial mindsets.
  2. The Sovereign Citizen movement includes groups like Moorish Sovereign Citizens, who reject US citizenship for alternative beliefs and create customized legal documentation with a Middle Eastern aesthetic.
  3. Cult systems like the Heaven's Gate utilized control tactics such as strict diets to maintain power over followers, leading to drastic actions like mass suicide in pursuit of spiritual ascension.

Alice's Ghost

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Folklore History Legends
  1. Alice Rheem, known for her wild reputation, is said to haunt the Rosario Resort on Orcas Island. Guests and employees claim to see her spirit and hear strange noises.
  2. The mansion was originally built by Robert Moran but later sold to Donald Rheem, who used it for family vacations while Alice lived another life in Moraga.
  3. There may be more to the ghost story of Alice than just her. Many believe that the mansion holds the spirits of various other people who have passed through its doors over the years.

The Tunnel Monsters

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
📚 Literature Fiction Horror Folklore Creatures
  1. Tunnels and dark spaces can create scary situations, especially for people who are afraid of tight spaces. The fear of not knowing what’s in the darkness can be quite intense.
  2. Many strange and frightening creatures, like the Cabbagetown Tunnel Monster, have been reported in tunnels and underground areas. These encounters can leave people terrified and questioning what they saw.
  3. Stories of reptilian beings and other mysterious creatures found underground exist across various cultures. These tales often include descriptions of humanoid or animal-like beings that some people claim to have seen.

How Did Friday the 13th Become Unlucky

Marlene’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture History Folklore Mythology Traditions
  1. The superstition around Friday the 13th being unlucky has a long history, which was popularized by cultural references like the slasher movie series 'Friday the 13th.'
  2. One of the early promoters of the number 13 as unlucky was Captain Fowler, who established the Thirteen Club to challenge superstitions around the number.
  3. Various cultures and historical events have contributed to the superstitions surrounding the number 13 and Friday the 13th, with examples ranging from maritime traditions to myths in Norse mythology.

The Great Race of Molokai

Once Upon A News • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Folklore Wisdom Adventure
  1. The story highlights the importance of understanding the tools and conditions around you, not just working hard.
  2. Success isn't just about how hard you try, but also about being strategic and wise in your approach.
  3. It's crucial to pay attention to the situation you're in, not just the effort you put in.

Jake Hasapopoulos: Hunter & Noelle

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Visual art Mixed Media Cultural critique Folklore Semiotics
  1. The artwork 'Hunter & Noelle' by Jake Hasapopoulos reflects a fusion of American political and cultural references like Hunter Biden and Noelle Bush's connection to crack addiction juxtaposed with historical events.
  2. Through his art, Jake Hasapopoulos aims to blend religion, spirituality, radical politics, and entertainment to create a new expressive language.
  3. The artist's focus on examining cultural phenomenon, questioning the separation of church and state, and exploring American mythologies shows a deep dive into societal dynamics and beliefs.