Folkitory: Spooky folklore, strange history and the paranormal

8 - Mirrors: Spirits, Summonings and Bloody Mary, Bloody Mary, Blo...

Tue, 22 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Mirrors have long had folklore and spooky beliefs around them, since humans first spotted themselves in water and went on to polish some metal. In this episode, we take a look at mirrors and the dead, evil spirits, summoning demons, hauntings and the ritual of bringing forth Bloody Mary...

1:03: Intro

3:01: The Modern Mirror

4:55: Mirrors and the Dead

7:56: Mirrors and Spirits

12:17: Mirrors to Summon

12:54: Mirror of Floron

14:42: When a Mirror Breaks

17:27: Magic Mirrors

19:34: Bloody Mary

22:01: Last Words

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Theme music: The Nightingale by Ceridwen McCooey

Sound effects from Pixabay.

Cover art by moi, Jenny.

Find out more at folkitory.co.uk.

Transcript and Sources for this episode: https://folkitory.co.uk/2026/09/18/mirrors/

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7 - Hobbits of Flores: When Archaeologists Unearth Folklore

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Some stories pass down through generations long enough to turn from legend to folklore, and the Hobbits of the island of Flores might be one of them. Could the unearthed remains of a new hominin be the Ebu Gogo of stories passed down by locals for centuries? This episode takes a look, so you can decide for yourself.

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Theme music: The Nightingale by Ceridwen McCooey

Sound effects from Pixabay.

Cover art by moi, Jenny.

Find out more at folkitory.co.uk.

Transcript and Sources for this episode: https://folkitory.co.uk/2026/09/14/hobbits-of-flores/

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6 - Mermaids (Part Two): In The Lakes, Rivers And On Boats

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

Mermaids are the gift that keep on giving, so we're back for a part two. There are mermaids in lakes, rivers, climbing onto boats and across the world in Japan, including an amazing folk tale and incredible sightings, AND my favourite story. Donk!

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Theme music: The Nightingale by Ceridwen McCooey

Sound effects from Pixabay.

Cover art by moi, Jenny.

Find out more at folkitory.co.uk.

Sources for this episode:

https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/animals/miscellany/spotting-mermaid

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Whitbourne

https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/A_description_of_the_mermaid_now_offered/HBJcAAAAQAAJ?q=Captain+Richard+Whitbourne+mermaid&gbpv=1#f=false

https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/mermaid-tales-0010783

https://britishfairies.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/mere-maids-freshwater-spirits-of-britain/

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/bizarre-legend-mermaids-caught-killed-1931097

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mermaid

https://www.academia.edu/88959025/Young_Mermaids_Mere_Maids_and_No_Maids_Mermaid_place_names_and_folklore_in_Britain

https://ota.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/repository/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.12024/B00064/B00064.html?sequence=5

https://www.library.wales/discover-learn/digital-exhibitions/books/history-books/monsterous-fish

https://listverse.com/2019/01/15/10-totally-reliable-mostly-sane-people-who-have-seen-a-mermaid/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-13th-century-mermaid-bones-came-be-displayed-japanese-temple-180962209/

https://www.kcpinternational.com/2017/04/the-folklore-of-japanese-mermaids/

https://yorkblog.com/yorkspast/a-mermaid-in-the-susquehanna/

https://thedockyard.co.uk/news/what-do-figureheads-on-ships-represent/

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/ship-figureheads-decoration

https://www.stornowaygazette.co.uk/news/myth-of-the-mermaid-remains-an-enduring-fishy-tale-2129315

https://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/cryptozoology/isle-of-yell-mermaid/

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5 - Fairy Forts: The Good (Irish), Hidden (Icelandic) and Peaceful (Scottish) Folk

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 05:00:00 GMT

There are places in this world where fairies live and there will be trouble if you try to damage such a dwelling.

This week we look at the fairy forts across Ireland, Iceland, Scotland and into England, the real experiences of people who live close to the fairies and what you can do to protect yourself from the fairies' wrath.

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Theme music: The Nightingale by Ceridwen McCooey

Sound effects from Pixabay.

Cover art by moi, Jenny.

Find out more at folkitory.co.uk.

Sources for this episode:

Map of Irish fairy forts: https://www.mythsofireland.com/forts/

https://www.lifescienceart.com/life/environmentalism/iceland-protests-road-construction-over-fairy-concerns/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-31987941

https://www.ice.org.uk/news-views-insights/inside-infrastructure/how-elves-shape-icelands-infrastructure

https://www.thejournal.ie/fairy-bush-co-clare-4604485-Apr2019/

https://www.irishstar.com/culture/nostalgia/ireland-once-rerouted-highway-fear-30170458

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_fort

https://clarelibraries.ie/localstudies/folklore/a-folklore-survey-of-county-clare-by-thomas-johnson-westropp/fairies-and-fairy-forts-and-mounds/

https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/craic/buried-alive-fairy-fort-cork-locals-speak-out

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/heritage/fairy-forts-why-these-sacred-places-deserve-our-respect-1.3181259

https://www.irishfolklore.com/places/fairy-forts/

https://www.rte.ie/culture/2025/0716/1521843-fairy-forts-what-are-they-who-built-them-what-were-they-for/

https://www.mythsofireland.com/forts/

https://blog.historicenvironment.scot/2025/06/scary-fairies-scotlands-gaelic-fairy-folklore/

https://www.rte.ie/culture/2022/1227/1342815-sean-quinn-away-with-the-fairies-the-new-biography-extracted/

https://www.irishcentral.com/news/ireland-suffering-from-ancient-curse-of-tara-and-furious-fairy-forts-82694582-237682541

https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/elves-in-iceland-the-hidden-world-of-huldufolk

https://macleans.ca/news/world/in-iceland-its-good-politics-to-be-nice-to-the-elves/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iceland–Norway_relations

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norse–Gaels

https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_bJ_7jDsJPQUC/page/n7/mode/2up

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_path

https://archive.org/details/DaleJarvisTheHouseOnTheFairyPath

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4 - Robin Hood and the Lionheart: The Story, The Legend, The Truth

Tue, 25 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMT

A story passed down through generations, twisted and turned, until devils become good kings and outlaws become legends. You may know the story of Robin Hood, but how about the story of King Richard I, of his little brother John, and of the real Robins living the forest.

This week, let's take a quick look into this English legend of uprising, rebellion and kings turning stories to their favour.

The devil is loose. Look to yourself.

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Patreon and exclusive spook coming soon!

Theme music: The Nightingale by Ceridwen McCooey

Sound effects from Pixabay.

Cover art by moi, Jenny.

Find out more at folkitory.co.uk.

Sources for this episode:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-dark-myths-misdeeds-the-paranormal/id1705694900?i=1000738359834

https://www.unfinishedhistory.com/pages/england/angevins/devil.html

https://www.royal.uk/richard-i

https://thehistoriansmagazine.com/blogs/medieval/robin-hood-and-edward-the-comely-king

https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/robin_01.shtml

https://www.bbc.co.uk/culture/article/20260616-the-dark-violent-medieval-origins-of-robin-hood

https://www.historyhit.com/when-was-the-medieval-period-and-how-long-did-it-last/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Robin-Hood

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Hood

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_of_Gisbourne

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loxley,_South_Yorkshire

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Richard-I-king-of-England

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John,_King_of_England

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Richard-Lionheart/

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/unmasking-king-richard-does-lionhearted-king-england-have-better-reputation-he-021446

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3 - The Devil's Tour of the UK: South West (Part One)

Tue, 18 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The Devil is a busy fella but he knows how to do a good travel guide. Welcome to the first leg of the Devil's tour of the UK, stopping off at four places in the South West of England where there are priests, monks, beautiful valleys, stone circles, caves in the woods and dragons on the beach.

Four stories that have been passed down for generations, steeped in local lore, and the true history facts behind them.

Please keep all limbs inside the episode, and in case of emergency, the exits and here, here and here.

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Patreon and exclusive spook coming soon!

Theme music: The Nightingale by Ceridwen McCooey

Sound effects from Pixabay.

Cover art by moi, Jenny.

Find out more at folkitory.co.uk.

Sources for this episode:

https://folklorefinder.uk/legends/blue-ben-of-kilve

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Ben

https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Sutton_Companion_to_the_Folklore_Myths_a/6AU7AwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=Blue+Ben+Kilve&pg=PT50&printsec=frontcover

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Lias

https://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/explore/wiltshire-white-horses

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silbury_Hill

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avebury

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wiltshire/avebury/exploring-the-stone-circles-at-avebury

https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-europe/monumental-and-mysterious-silbury-hill-005729

https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/somerset-witches-dark-history-1304777

https://hauntedhosts.com/haunted-places/somerset/location/11249-nancy-camels-ghostly-procession/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_storm_of_1703

https://gethistory.co.uk/articles/the-great-storm-of-1703

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tintern_Abbey

https://www.visitdeanwye.co.uk/blog/myths-legends-of-the-wye-valley/

https://tinternvillage.co.uk/whattoseeanddo/abbey/

https://www.castlewales.com/tintern.html

https://www.visitwales.com/attraction/historic-site/tintern-abbey-567481

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2 Sigillum Dei: The Medieval Art of Summoning Angels

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMT

These days lots of people claim to be able to talk to angels, but back when Elizabeth I was on the throne, that magic was practiced and honed by her occult advisor, John Dee, using a sigil called the Sigillum Dei.

Dee didn't invent the Sigillum Dei, and the story of the Sigillum Dei is filled with grimoires, spies before the secret service was a thing, and bombed castles and Medieval streets. John Dee was only the beginning.

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Buy The Magic Of You: writeintothewoods.com/books/the-magic-of-you/

Patreon and exclusive spook coming soon!

Theme music: The Nightingale by Ceridwen McCooey

Sound effects from Pixabay.

Cover art by moi, Jenny.

Find out more at folkitory.co.uk.

Sources for this episode:

The Sigillum Dei at the British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1838-1232-90-a

The interesting article about the Dutch Sigillum Dei: https://repository.ubn.ru.nl/bitstream/handle/2066/135744/1/135744.pdf

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=http://www.societasmagica.org/Mystical/MeslerSwornBookAug08.doc&ved=2ahUKEwiSzaCJloSUAxV-UUEAHbWcAM0QFnoECCwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2OvM5tqx7vDbIc3t03C3of

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/after-dark-myths-misdeeds-the-paranormal/id1705694900?i=1000764104682

https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/object/talisman-spirit-seal/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_European_magic

https://www.hsm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/hsm-catalogue-4051

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Williamson

https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co155247/claude-glass-believed-to-be-john-dees-scrying-mirror-europe-undated

https://www.historyextra.com/period/tudor/john-dee-elizabeth-i-tudor-scientist-magician-spy-007-james-bond/

https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/john-dee

https://www.rcp.ac.uk/news-and-media/news-and-opinion/the-mystical-objects-of-john-dee/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dee

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sworn_Book_of_Honorius

https://www.historicmysteries.com/history/sworn-book-of-honorius/32001/

https://www.curiousarchive.com/john-dees-conversations-with-angels/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cropping_(punishment)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Kelley

https://castles.nl/doornenburg-castle

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1 Mermaids: Luring You Into The Depths

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 05:00:00 GMT

The idea of a creature part human, part fish has been with us for almost as long as we've been human. That has to mean something, right? It's probably why there are still mermaid sightings now, if you're brave enough to venture down to the water's edge.

This episode, the first of Folkitory, takes a look at mermaids, from Mesopotamia through to the Victorians and all the way to the present.

Naturally, since recording this episode, I have discovered so much more. I have a feeling we'll be visited by mermaids again in the future.

Join the newsletter over on Substack.

Patreon and exclusive spook coming soon!

Theme music: The Nightingale by Ceridwen McCooey

Sound effects from Pixabay.

Cover art by moi, Jenny.

Find out more at folkitory.co.uk.

Sources for this episode:

The list of sightings on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/mermaids/comments/y1d9yk/does_anyone_have_legit_mermaid_stories_or/

https://www.scotsman.com/hays-way/radioactive-beach-highlands-dounreay-walk-thurso-police-4766996

https://www.thebrochproject.co.uk/locations/sandside-bay-beach

https://www.shimajournal.org/issues/v12n2/e.-Young-Shima-v12n2.pdf

Check out page 88 of P.T. Barnum’s autobiography for more information on the Fiji Mermaid: https://ia803202.us.archive.org/18/items/autobiographypt01barngoog/autobiographypt01barngoog.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P._T._Barnum

https://www.pointseast.com/the-truth-about-mermaids/

https://morrablibrary.org.uk/2021/03/conrad-gesner-fantastic-creatures-and-ancient-books/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326803926_Monstrosities_from_the_Sea_Taxonomy_and_tradition_in_Conrad_Gessner's_1516-1565_discussion_of_cetaceans_and_sea-monsters_In_JACQUEMARD_C_GAUVIN_B_LUCAS-AVENEL_M-A_CLAVEL_B_BUQUET_T_eds_Animaux_aquatiq

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steller's_sea_ape

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/5SQ4jD8FVf10RlhG7mjcPPJ/elaine-morgan

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/a-new-aquatic-ape-theory-67868308/

https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/engraved-ornament-project/mermaids?srsltid=AfmBOopsEA7WPMmky_slLjUefqvNdGEFN0qnlu3ndy4ylU2EvxHdP80y

https://www.historyhit.com/singing-sirens-the-mesmerising-history-of-mermaids/

https://seaboardcentre.com/mermaid-of-the-north/

http://rubens.anu.edu.au/raid1/student_projects/mermaids/sightings.html

https://cornishbirdblog.com/mermaids-sighted-in-cornwall-honest/

https://www.mimimatthews.com/2018/03/26/mermaids-sightings-in-the-19th-century/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji_mermaid

https://shimajournal.org/article/10.21463/shima.268.pdf

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Series One Trailer

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 14:46:37 GMT

Humans have been telling stories since the beginning, through generation upon generation. And often, if you go back far enough, you’ll find truth behind the folklore.

Join me, Jenny, as I delve into spooky folklore, strange history and hunt down some truth behind the stories.

The first series of Folkitory starts soon, and we’ll be diving into medieval occultists summoning angels, what lures people into the depths, the Devil’s own tourist map of the UK and much, much more.

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