Icy Sedgwick's Blog, page 44
June 1, 2017
What is Hoodoo and what magic does it involve?
Hoodoo is a form of African American folk magic, brought into Hollywood in 2005 through The Skeleton Key. Also known as ‘conjure’, Hoodoo emerged from a combination of traditions. Within it, you can find African and Native American practices, as well as Christianity and European folk magic. As a result, it’s unique to the United […]
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May 25, 2017
Who are the mysterious dog-headed men?
Dog-headed men, or cynocephaly, are a true curiosity within myth and legend. Not to be confused with werewolves, the beings are literally men with dogs’ heads. The Greeks named the creatures, apparently taking their inspiration from Egyptian gods. Most famously, Anubis boasts the head of a jackal. Although, in recent years, scholars realised his head is […]
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May 18, 2017
What Are The Flying Heads In Iroquois Folklore?
Heads make a range of appearances in folklore and legend. It’s hardly surprising; heads are recognisable body parts, and the ability to speak or otherwise function after decapitation takes them into the realm of the uncanny. But we’re interested in folklore here, not Freud. I’ve already covered the headless horseman and severed heads this month. […]
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May 11, 2017
How does the severed head appear in folklore?
The severed head is a common motif in films and television. Horror as a genre is full of beheadings, and heads mounted on pikes draw their authenticity from historical practices. Heads made excellent display objects if you wanted to warn your enemies that you meant business. People recognise severed heads and only one conclusion can be […]
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May 4, 2017
What dark folklore inspired the famous Headless Horseman?
The Headless Horseman is a strange figure. He stands astride several categories at once; phantom, urban legend, folklore character, and film icon. The most famous Headless Horseman of all is perhaps the one immortalised by Washington Irving in ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’. His original story (spoiler alert) implies that human agency is behind the...
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May 1, 2017
First 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? I set myself a target to read 24 books in the 2017 Goodreads Reading Challenge. I thought the start of May was the best...
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April 3, 2017
Séances and sandstone – the history of spiritualism in Melbourne
If you’ve ever visited my blog before, you’ll know I’m a big fan of all things spooky and macabre. So it’s my pleasure to welcome Madeleine D’Este to the blog to tell us all about spiritualism in Melbourne! Séances and sandstone – the history of spiritualism in Melbourne In the 1880s, Melbourne was the second...
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March 30, 2017
Why does a London pub hang hot cross buns in the bar?
Go to Devons Road in London and you’ll find a pub with hot cross buns hanging above the bar. I know, it’s pretty weird – even for a pub. But a legend has grown up around The Widow’s Son in Bromley-by-Bow. Every year, a sailor arrives on Good Friday and places a hot cross bun in...
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March 27, 2017
7 things editors think about writers and publishing
Editors are a vital part of the indie publishing machine. But they don’t often get the same airtime as indie writers. I’ve featured editors on my blog before, and the reception has always been very good. So I’m guessing writers like hearing that editors have to say! That in mind, I decided to interview Claire...
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March 23, 2017
Is the ghost at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane a good omen?
Theatres attract tales of ghosts and hauntings like few other types of building. The Theatre Royal in Drury Lane is no exception. The current Theatre Royal in Covent Garden dates to 1812. It’s actually the fourth incarnation on the site since 1663. You can even find original 18th-century foundations below ground level. The would-be assassin James Hadfield tried...
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