The hottest Folklore Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top History Topics

The Haunted Prison Cell

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 13 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  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.

Alice's Ghost

Marlene’s Newsletter • 4 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  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 Folklore
  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 Folklore
  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.

Jake Hasapopoulos: Hunter & Noelle

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Folklore
  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.
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From myth to misery: the tragic story of the Pig-Faced Lady

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 24
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  1. The tragic exploitation of humans and animals in the name of entertainment throughout history.
  2. The story of the Pig-Faced Lady, from myths to real-life exploitation, sheds light on the exploitation and cruelty often hidden behind show business.
  3. The evolution of the Pig-Faced Lady character from fairground folklore to heartbreaking real-life exploitation represents a dark aspect of entertainment history.

Thankful Taylor and the serpent within

The Quack Doctor • 0 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
💾 History Folklore
  1. The legend of the 'bosom serpent' blurs the line between folklore and medicine, with stories of creatures living inside humans causing torment and sparking disbelief in communities.
  2. In the case of Thankful Taylor in the 1870s, a real snake was extracted from her, shedding light on an unusual medical phenomenon.
  3. The tale of internal creatures reflects the fears and beliefs of different eras and cultures, serving as a way to explain physical or emotional pain despite lacking definitive scientific explanations.

The Family Curse

Captive Liberty • 0 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
📚 Literature Folklore
  1. Iphigenia and her family had a curse where each woman lost vision in their left eye after being told to bathe in a lake on a specific day. This repeated for generations.
  2. The nixie, a water spirit, cursed the family because of a past deception by Iphigenia's ancestor Helena. He wanted revenge by taking their eyes each generation.
  3. In the end, Marta outsmarted the nixie by showing him a three-eyed fish from a TV show, which lifted the curse and allowed her family to live free from his demands.

The Wendigo's Acolyte

Marlene’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  1. The wendigo is a spirit in Native American folklore that represents extreme hunger and can possess people, turning them into cannibals, especially during times of famine.
  2. Swift Runner was a man who, driven by starvation, resorted to cannibalism and claimed he was possessed by a wendigo spirit during his actions, resulting in his execution.
  3. The wendigo is often described as a horrifying skeletal creature, which reflects the themes of deprivation and the loss of humanity that accompany extreme hunger.

Senritsu Kaiki File Kowasugi (2012 - 2023)

The Author Is Dumb • 0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  1. The series mixes found footage and ghost hunting styles, creating a unique kind of horror that often features strange Japanese folklore creatures called yokai. It's both creepy and fun to watch.
  2. As the series progresses, it develops complex themes around the characters and their relationships, making it more than just a silly ghost show. It explores deeper ideas like cleansing and personal growth.
  3. Despite some cheap-looking CGI, the series uses it to enhance the otherworldly feel of the story, which adds to its charm. The mix of goofiness and serious themes makes it a fascinating watch.

The Omen: In the Crosshair of a Curse

Marlene’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  1. The movie The Omen, initially titled The Antichrist, was very successful but had many strange accidents and deaths during its production. It seemed like there was a curse on the cast and crew.
  2. Many scary and dangerous events happened while making the film, like plane crashes and animal attacks, which made the actors really worried. They felt like something bad was affecting them.
  3. The film's release on June 6, 1976, played on the spooky number '666'. Even years later, the effects of making the movie seemed to linger, impacting the lives of those involved.

The Great Race of Molokai

Once Upon A News • 0 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  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.

Stories of Haunted Railroads

Marlene’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  1. Many haunted railroads have stories of ghostly figures appearing on the tracks, like a man with a wheelbarrow or a woman in white, who seem to vanish just before a train passes.
  2. Conductors and engineers often report eerie experiences, such as seeing strange lights or hearing unsettling sounds that lead to fears about ghostly apparitions on certain stretches of track.
  3. Some haunted sleeper cars have a mysterious past, with stories of ghosts haunting the car after tragic accidents, causing fear among porters and passengers alike.

The Legend of Kin-Ga and the Golden Dragon

Once Upon A News • 0 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  1. Kin-Ga had a rare gift of understanding others' thoughts and emotions, bringing harmony and happiness.
  2. Despite her small size, Kin-Ga's compassion and bravery helped her save the kingdom from a dragon's wrath.
  3. The story introduces the concept of 'Nunchi' - an intuitive understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, fostering empathy and harmony.

The Enchanted Sky Dance

Once Upon A News • 0 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Folklore
  1. A kingdom celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a magical sky dance.
  2. A curious brewer discovered the origin of mysterious lights in the sky.
  3. The streaks of light were remnants of a space contraption returning to Earth, creating a wondrous spectacle.