Local folklore and myths that people believe or pass around in urban culture.
A Night to Forget “You call that an abomination?” a heckler shouted.“I’ve seen more fiendish visions in a bottle of absinthe! Get off the stage!” It was a bad night at Théâtre Gran Mourguet, and everyone knew it—especially the critics. Until that dreadful evening, the reviews had been mostly positive. But spurred on by a … Read more
A World Connected to Nature Imagine a time before buildings, borders, or artificial light. A world of pure wilderness, where every tree, shadow, and gust of wind held meaning. Ancient humans didn’t see themselves as separate from nature. They were part of it—woven into the rhythms of the land, the stars, and the spirits. From … Read more
Deep in the folklore of Southern Africa—especially among the Nguni peoples—lives the enduring legend of the Tikoloshe (also spelled Tokoloshe, Tikolosh, or Tonkolosh). This dwarf-like water spirit is known for its mischievous and sometimes malevolent nature, blamed for everything from harmless pranks to serious illness and even death. Origins and Nature of the Tikoloshe The … Read more
Witchcraft in Yorkshire: Fact and Folklore For centuries, tales of witchcraft echoed across Yorkshire, blending folklore, historical fact, and social fear. While many stories were fueled by superstition, some were tragically real — involving ordinary women accused of extraordinary crimes. Herbal Remedies and the Witchcraft Act In the 16th and 17th centuries, using herbal remedies … Read more
A Glimpse into a Forgotten Tradition At Leicester’s De Montfort Museum, a worn plaque on a stone pillar offers a glimpse into a chaotic and long-forgotten tradition: the Whipping Toms of Shrove Tuesday. The Ritual Unfolds Each year, three young men dressed in blue smocks and blindfolded over one eye took part in the ceremony. … Read more
A Haunting Legend from Sandvík Tucked between the headlands of Barðsnes and Gerpir on Iceland’s east coast lies the now-abandoned settlement of Sandvík. Once home to hardworking coastal folk, the area is known not only for its remote beauty but also for its most infamous resident—Sandvíkur-Glæsir, the Dapper Ghost of Sandvík. Origins of the Dapper … Read more
Origins of Baba Yaga Among the oldest and most mysterious figures in Slavic mythology stands Baba Yaga. While often depicted today as a frightening witch, her origins lie in reverence and protection. But what does “Yaga” really mean? The name “Yaga” likely derives from “Yashka.” In ancient Slavic chants, “Yasha” referred to a primeval ancestor … Read more
Greece: Hades, the Shadowed Domain In ancient Greek mythology, the underworld was ruled by Hades, also called Pluto. Souls crossed the River Styx with ferryman Charon, were judged by Minos, Rhadamanthus, and Aeacus, and sent to one of three afterlife realms: the Fields of Elysium (bliss), the Asphodel Meadows (neutral), or Tartarus (punishment). Heroes like … Read more
You’ve seen her in The Conjuring movies — porcelain, terrifying, possessed.But the real Annabelle?She’s not porcelain at all. She’s a simple Raggedy Ann doll, made of cloth and yarn — and she’s far more horrifying in real life. In 1970, a nursing student named Donna received the doll as a birthday gift from her mother. … Read more
Places of legend aren’t always ancient—or even that old. Take the “Devil’s Arch” in Worcester. Built in the 1950s as a simple pedestrian underpass beneath a railway line, it leads to a quiet residential area and canal. Yet despite its mundane appearance, this tunnel has developed a chilling reputation. As a boy, I was warned: … Read more