Jack-o’-Lantern Magic

IF you celebrate Halloween or its coinciding pagan festival Samhain (pronounced sow-in), you probably associate this time of year with traditional macabre symbols, like witches in black garb with pointy hats, ghosts and skeletons, black cats and spiders, bubbling cauldrons and broomsticks, and perhaps most famously, the jack-o’-lantern. For many folks, the jack-o’-lantern is the

Halloween traditions and their history

Halloween is a special holiday filled with many fun aspects and traditions. Carving pumpkins, dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, witches and black cats are some of the first things that come to mind when one thinks about Halloween. But, the history of Halloween is one that is broad, mysterious and full of lore. The origins

Why Do Witches Wear Pointy Hats? The History Behind the Costume

America’s obsession with witches is older than the country itself. At first, it was rooted in fear, fueling false accusations of witchcraft, including those that led to the Salem witch trials. Beyond the courtroom, witches have been a steady presence in American culture through folk legends and local lore, fairy tales, Halloween traditions, and eventually,

Everything You Need to Know about October!

In October, autumn comes into full swing. Let’s get in the fall mood! Learn why this month is called October, which holidays to look out for, what to do in the garden, what to bake in the kitchen, when to see the full Hunter’s Moon, and more! The Month of OctoberThis month’s name stems from

When is April Fools’ Day and How Did It Start?

April Fools’ Day (April 1) is the one date on the calendar when jokes and mischief are expected. But how did April Fools’ Day get its start? Learn more about the history of April Fools’ Day—including some fun humor throughout the years! When is April Fools’ Day?April Fools’ Day occurs annually on April 1. In

The Ancient Origins of the Easter Bunny

A scholar traces the folk figure’s history from the Neolithic era to today The Easter bunny is a much-celebrated character in American Easter celebrations. On Easter Sunday, children look for hidden special treats, often chocolate Easter eggs, that the Easter bunny might have left behind. As a folklorist, I’m aware of the origins of the

The Greek Origin of Zodiac Signs in Astrology

We all know our own astrological sign. But you might not have known that the origins of astrology link back to ancient Greek mythology, with every sign of the zodiac representing a Greek god, goddess or other important figure from mythology. The history of astrology dates back more than four thousand years to the first

Mermaids in Japan – from hideous harbingers of violence to beautiful enchantresses

A report that scientists have begun tests on a 300-year-old “mermaid mummy” to identify its origins, has stimulated an interest in the existence of mermaids in Japanese folklore. Tales of mermaids and their more dangerously seductive siren sisters, are firmly entrenched in cultural mythologies of many regions and can be found in medieval art and

A Look at the Myths that Inspired Pokemon

The world of Pokemon draws from many inspirations. The creator of the series, Satoshi Tajiri, has revealed that Pokemon was inspired by his childhood insect-collecting hobby, and the games are meant to be a way for kids to experience that same joy in an urban area. Since the release of the first games in 1996,

The History of 9 St. Patrick’s Day Traditions

St. Patrick’s Day is filled with its own unique traditions. If you don’t wear something green, you can expect to be pinched. You might take part in a traditional St. Patrick’s day dinner by eating corned beef and cabbage, or head to the bar to down some green beer. But where did these practices come