Category: Folk Symbolism
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The Swan: Symbols of Love, Loyalty and the Soul
Cover art by Walter Crane “Thou art the door of the chief of hospitality, Thou art the surpassing star of guidance, Thou art the step of the deer of the hill, Thou art the step of the steed of the plain, Thou art the grace of the swan of swimming, Thou art the loveliness of […]
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Reframing Our Relationship With Animals and Related Divination Practices
“Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” Anatole France At times it amazes me how we can share this beautiful earth with so many other forms of life and yet because of industrialization, spend so little time with them or in their presence. Animals have an incredible ability just […]
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The Triads of Ireland
Cover art by Olivia at Leafing Out Art “Three profitable labours in the day: praying, working, reading.” Triads of Ireland The “Trecheng Breth Féne” more commonly known as “The Triads of Ireland”, are delightful tenets of Irish wisdom that have been passed down through the generations. They refer to a collection of about 256 old […]
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The Bean Sí: Banshee
Cover art by Howard Johnson “At Lord O’Neil’s residence, Shane’s Castle, there is a room appropriated to the use of the Banshee, and she often appears there ; sometimes shrouded and muffled in a dark, mist-like cloak. At other times, she is seen as a beautiful young girl, with long, red-gold hair, and wearing a […]
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The Cat and Related Folklore
“The scath of the dog and of the cat be on you. Of the boar, of the badger, and of the ‘ brugha,’ Of the hipped bear and of the wild wolf, And the scath of the foul foumart.” Alexander Carmichael, Carmina Gadelica Vol. 1, 1900 The role of the cat is somewhat uncertain but […]