#folk beliefs

[royalfilm]

If anyone has resources on upper Silesian folk magic or folk beliefs, I am desperate for some! They are hard to come by in English but ones that can be translated would be amazing

[fruitdragon]

Sometimes folk magic just gets a little weird.

But love spells are the most unhinged shit

Blood! Like stab yourself with a needle, write yours and the one you love initials (in blood)and make 9 circles around it with, again, your blood, bury the needle at the crossroads and your beloved will be entrapped by you.

Or boys should poke an orange all over and sleep with it under their armpit all night and then feed it to their beloved, so she will return his feelings.

I mean, love spells aren't creepy enough?? We have to make them worse??

[miss-guided-ghosts]

maturing is realizing catholicism/orthodoxy can and does coexist with folks beliefs and practices

[blueheartbooks]

"Enchanting Shadows: A Deep Dive into Washington Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'"

Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a timeless masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time, haunting readers with its eerie charm and lingering suspense. Set in the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town, this short story weaves a captivating tapestry of folklore, romance, and the supernatural.

Irving's narrative introduces us to the lanky and superstitious schoolteacher, Ichabod Crane, whose arrival in Sleepy Hollow marks the beginning of a series of strange and unexplainable events. As Ichabod becomes enamored with Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy farmer, he also becomes entangled with the ghostly legend of the Headless Horseman.

The author's prose is a delightful dance between wit and suspense, creating an atmosphere that immerses readers in the mysterious allure of Sleepy Hollow. The vivid descriptions of the haunting landscape, the looming trees, and the foreboding bridge serve as a backdrop to the unfolding drama. Irving masterfully crafts an ambiance that lingers long after the last page is turned.

One of the story's triumphs lies in its rich characterization. Ichabod Crane is not just a schoolteacher; he embodies the universal fear of the unknown. His skepticism clashes with the villagers' deep-rooted beliefs, reflecting the tension between reason and superstition. The enigmatic Katrina Van Tassel adds an element of romantic intrigue, her allure casting a spell over both Ichabod and the reader.

At the heart of the tale is the infamous Headless Horseman, a specter that has become an iconic figure in American literature. Irving expertly blurs the lines between reality and folklore, leaving readers questioning the very fabric of the story. The suspense builds gradually, culminating in the unforgettable midnight chase through the shadowy woods.

Irving's exploration of the supernatural is not just a mere ghost story; it is a reflection of the human psyche and the collective fears that lurk in the corners of our imagination. The tale serves as a mirror to society, exposing the vulnerability of reason when confronted with the inexplicable.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" has left an indelible mark on literature and popular culture. Its influence can be seen in countless adaptations, from films to television series. The enduring appeal lies in its ability to tap into the primal fear of the unknown, the allure of forbidden romance, and the delicate dance between reality and imagination.

In conclusion, Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a literary gem that continues to enchant readers of all ages. Its timeless narrative, rich characterizations, and exploration of the supernatural make it a must-read for those who appreciate the magic woven into the fabric of classic American literature. As the shadows of Sleepy Hollow linger, so does the allure of Irving's haunting tale, forever etched in the annals of literary legend.

Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is available in Amazon in paperback 10.99$ and hardcover 17.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 75

Language: English

Rating: 10/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[blueheartbookclub]

"Enchanting Shadows: A Deep Dive into Washington Irving's 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'"

Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a timeless masterpiece that transcends the boundaries of time, haunting readers with its eerie charm and lingering suspense. Set in the Dutch settlement of Tarry Town, this short story weaves a captivating tapestry of folklore, romance, and the supernatural.

Irving's narrative introduces us to the lanky and superstitious schoolteacher, Ichabod Crane, whose arrival in Sleepy Hollow marks the beginning of a series of strange and unexplainable events. As Ichabod becomes enamored with Katrina Van Tassel, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy farmer, he also becomes entangled with the ghostly legend of the Headless Horseman.

The author's prose is a delightful dance between wit and suspense, creating an atmosphere that immerses readers in the mysterious allure of Sleepy Hollow. The vivid descriptions of the haunting landscape, the looming trees, and the foreboding bridge serve as a backdrop to the unfolding drama. Irving masterfully crafts an ambiance that lingers long after the last page is turned.

One of the story's triumphs lies in its rich characterization. Ichabod Crane is not just a schoolteacher; he embodies the universal fear of the unknown. His skepticism clashes with the villagers' deep-rooted beliefs, reflecting the tension between reason and superstition. The enigmatic Katrina Van Tassel adds an element of romantic intrigue, her allure casting a spell over both Ichabod and the reader.

At the heart of the tale is the infamous Headless Horseman, a specter that has become an iconic figure in American literature. Irving expertly blurs the lines between reality and folklore, leaving readers questioning the very fabric of the story. The suspense builds gradually, culminating in the unforgettable midnight chase through the shadowy woods.

Irving's exploration of the supernatural is not just a mere ghost story; it is a reflection of the human psyche and the collective fears that lurk in the corners of our imagination. The tale serves as a mirror to society, exposing the vulnerability of reason when confronted with the inexplicable.

"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" has left an indelible mark on literature and popular culture. Its influence can be seen in countless adaptations, from films to television series. The enduring appeal lies in its ability to tap into the primal fear of the unknown, the allure of forbidden romance, and the delicate dance between reality and imagination.

In conclusion, Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a literary gem that continues to enchant readers of all ages. Its timeless narrative, rich characterizations, and exploration of the supernatural make it a must-read for those who appreciate the magic woven into the fabric of classic American literature. As the shadows of Sleepy Hollow linger, so does the allure of Irving's haunting tale, forever etched in the annals of literary legend.

Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is available in Amazon in paperback 10.99$ and hardcover 17.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 75

Language: English

Rating: 10/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[arcane-offerings]

Corinne Boyer. Under the Bramble Arch: A Folk Grimoire of Wayside Plant Lore and Practicum. London: Troy Books, 2019. Special Edition. 257 pages. Bound in dark green cloth. Limited to 250 hand-numbered copies (#178/250). 

Shop link in bio.

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[freyjaofthenorth]

it sometimes feels like many of the people who scream the loudest about Real Folk Traditions™ are people who do not, in fact, even understand what a folk tradition is

"NO that belief of unspecified origin which is spread among ordinary people as plain old fact is NOT a REAL folk belief because it is not identical with this version of it i read about being held in this specific area in 1746!!! it even has foreign influence!!! IMPURE!!!"

[lost-carcosa]

so apparently in 815 CE there was a common belief that sky pirates sailed ships in the clouds and (working in collaberation with frankish weather wizards) stole all the crops that got damaged in storms and took them back to the cloud realm of magonia.

And this was apparently a common enough belief that an archbishop felt the need to write a treatise to debunk it and insist that only god controls the weather, which is the only reason we know about it.

there are three important points to take from this, i think

This is great inspiration for your next dnd game

Tropes that might seem relatively modern (like airship pirates) can often actually go WAY back

The stuff your average medieval christian actually believed in will often have very little resemblance to christianity. And thats before you even get to the proper heretics. EDIT: people keep asking for the source and its now been added multiple times in different reblog chains. I should have put it in the original post but i am a fool: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/source/Agobard-OnHailandThunder.asp

[haley-harrison]

Fun fact time!

Where I live we have some quirky superstitions like:

- if you're hiccuping, that means someone is talking about you (neutral)

- if you bite your tongue, someone is badmouthing/trash-talking you

- if you drop food you were about to eat, someone you know is hungry

Feel free to add your own, I'd love to hear what other cultures have to offer! :)

[japhers]

icy peepaw

[unprncbl]

documentary: Amazing Marriage Customs, China Anthropology 101, English narration w/ Chinese subs

[chaosvanquished]

I hate to break this to some of you but in my culture the idea was indeed that with identical twins one had a soul and the other was soulless. Though surely no one truly believes in this anymore it has still survived in our collective cultural memory that one of them is the "evil twin". Oral recollection says that you have to find out which one is the evil one or they may kill their good sibling later on. For this you have to leave both outside and the Changeling will show itself. You then have to kill them and your "true" child and their soul will be safe.

Obviously we know that that's not true, that identical twins are normal, and that they're not evil.

But I know quite a few people even today who feel uncomfortable when seeing identical twins.

fictional stories involving cloning and the "moral dilemma" of whether a cloned human should be considered a person are so fucking obnoxious to me, like from the earliest possible age it never made sense to me why people would hand-wring about the personhood of a clone. that's just a human being baby, don't be so weird about it

"but do they have SOULS???"

good question but here's a better one, are you hungry for a knuckle sandwich

[bristolchurch]

Unmasking the "Dragon" in the Pew: Addressing Unchristian Traditions in Chinese Christianity

Introduction: Chinese Christianity is a vibrant and growing community, deeply rooted in a rich cultural heritage that spans centuries. However, as with any religion’s interaction with culture, there are instances where unchristian practices have infiltrated Chinese Christianity. In this blog, we will shed light on specific instances where these practices have emerged, explore their origins, and…

[hymnsofheresy]

what are your thoughts on your religion stealing every single one of its holidays from pagans? xo

That in order to relieve themselves of guilt and discomfort, white people create and believe narratives that deprive their European ancestors of any autonomy whatsoever. Casting their ancestors as victims of the church rather than active participants.

[hagoftheholler]

Something I feel like people getting into folk magic need to understand, for many people of many backgrounds, is folk magic started as a means of survival. It was struggle magic, and it is still struggle magic.

Where I'm living now and where I'm from, people planted by the signs to ensure their crops wouldn't go bad before harvesting. People used ocean water to soothe joint and muscle pains when they got old. People studied the native plants for medicine and were mindful to only take what was needed. People did little rituals and minded their grannies' words to keep their good luck. If they didn't know how to do something (or couldn't), they went to people who did.

Learning folk magic to reconnect with ancestral traditions from before your time is valid. Learning folk magic to connect with and work with the land is valid. There are many valid reasons to take up folk magic. Still, understand that folk magic is survival, and folk magic is community.

[this-is-me19]

Now that I live in the Deep South, I thought I would find some interesting information and post it here. Luckily, I found this wonderful advice, and while some doesn’t make sense, it’s interesting to read.

Southern Folk Magic

I’ve already posted about how you should paint your mailbox yellow and your porch haint blue, but I wanted to share some Southern folk beliefs that I’ve heard throughout my life. By no means exhaustive, will hopefully add more later. 

Speak your sorrows to a weeping willow. The breeze in the branches will make it whisper them away. 

Willow bark is also good for inflammation remedies. 

Never gift someone a knife or scissors lest it cause a deep cut between the two of you.

Plant your garden on Good Friday.

Plant lavender by the front door. 

For remembered dreams, put a mugwort leaf in your pillowcase

To tell the gender of a baby, use a needle and thread pendulum over the pregnant woman’s stomach. Up and down is a boy. Side to side is a girl.

Only fertilize watermelon on the side where the dirt is highest.

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