Icy Sedgwick's Blog, page 40
October 26, 2017
Where do our weird Halloween customs come from?
Halloween is almost upon us. In the US, families will decorate their gardens and turn their homes into haunted houses. In the UK, lots of people will turn off the lights and pretend to be out when little kids come to call. Don’t get me start on the plethora of ‘sexy’ costumes we’ll see this […]
The post Where do our weird Halloween customs come from? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
October 19, 2017
Why do we use the jack o’ lantern at Halloween?
Alongside cats and broomsticks, carved pumpkins have become synonymous with Halloween. Making a jack o’ lantern is no longer related to the important job of protecting hearth and home. Instead, people compete to make the scariest or most artistic lantern. Seriously, check out some amazing carved pumpkin art on Pinterest. But how on earth did […]
The post Why do we use the jack o’ lantern at Halloween? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
October 12, 2017
The Broomstick In Folklore: The Witch’s Ideal Transport
Just as cats are intricately bound up with the image of the witch, so is the broomstick. Widely believed to be the witch’s favourite mode of transport, the broomstick serves as both vehicle and tool. Or does it? Just why is this humble household item so common among depictions of witches? I do think the […]
The post The Broomstick In Folklore: The Witch’s Ideal Transport appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
October 11, 2017
Friday Flash – Lost at Sea
A fierce wave slammed into the side of the ship, pouring a deluge of brine across the deck. Magda sat in the corner of her small cabin, whispering a prayer. She leaned forward to press her ear to the wall. The cold waters beyond the hull reached for her through the damp wood. She listened […]
The post Friday Flash – Lost at Sea appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
October 5, 2017
Cats In Folklore: Not Just A Witch’s Familiar
Love them or loathe them, cats are fascinating creatures. And there are plenty of cats in folklore and myth. The ancient Egyptians revered them so much that killing a cat became a punishable offence. The cat deity, Bastet, defended the pharoah, cats, and children. Cats in folklore occupy many roles. Whether they’re stealing souls for […]
The post Cats In Folklore: Not Just A Witch’s Familiar appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
September 28, 2017
Exploring Strange Tales Of Civil War Ghosts In England
When you look at reports of English phantoms, tales of Civil War ghosts are some of the most common. Haunting battlefields, pubs, castles, and former military sites prove popular locations. In Newcastle, we even have stories of a ‘spinning’ Cavalier. The ghost rises to the ceiling inside Sallyport Tower, revolving as he goes. Some believe […]
The post Exploring Strange Tales Of Civil War Ghosts In England appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
September 21, 2017
These 4 UK Castles Feature A Green Lady Ghost
Last week I introduced you to the Grey Lady of the Newcastle Assembly Rooms. I’d made the point on Twitter that ladies often appears as pink, white, or grey. Lots of people on Twitter told me that they’d also encountered green lady ghost stories as well, and one of my awesome subscribers sent me loads […]
The post These 4 UK Castles Feature A Green Lady Ghost appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
September 7, 2017
Why do people still see ghostly monks in the UK?
When you live in a rainswept, often foggy, sometimes melancholy part of the world like the UK, it’s so much easier to see phantoms at every turn. From ghostly monks and nuns, to spectral children and the ubiquitous White or Grey Lady, it would seem the spirits are everywhere. But monks still make up a […]
The post Why do people still see ghostly monks in the UK? appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
September 3, 2017
4 easy reasons why authors should switch to ConvertKit
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few years, you’ll know authors are advised to have an email list. Social media platforms come and go, Amazon algorithms change overnight, but an email list? That’s for life. I’m not going to go into the benefits of having a list because I’m assuming you […]
The post 4 easy reasons why authors should switch to ConvertKit appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
September 1, 2017
Second update on the Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge
A reading challenge can be a great way to motivate yourself to read more in a given period. Though I know what you’re thinking – who needs the motivation to read? Back in early January, I set myself a target to read 24 books in the 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge. I’ve already posted my first […]
The post Second update on the Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge appeared first on Icy Sedgwick.
