This episode is a road map to the folklore, mythology, songs and rituals of the goddess of the dawn, gathered from the many cultures of the Indo-European language family. It paints the picture of a radiant, dependable, go-getter goddess who is born again with every day and every epoch. The episode ends with my ritual performance of the medieval hymn “Polorum Regina” in an abandoned church on a mountaintop at sunrise.

Check out Medieval Hymn to the Dawn Goddess on our new YouTube series! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_moj-dcn5nM

The episode I mentioned: A Priest and a Piper: A Conversation with Ignas Šatkauskas, Pagan Priest of Romuva https://m.soundcloud.com/fairfolkcast/ignas-satkauskas-interview

A great resource for Indo-European mythology, folklore and poetry research that I used for this episode is Indo-European Poetry and Myth by Martin Litchfield West

Episode edited by Quinn McCord.

Thank you very much to Sylvia Woods, whose song Forest March is the opening theme to Fair Folk Podcast!

Image: The Coming of Bride by John Duncan, 1917

Goddess of the Dawn

Fair Folk is back in operation after a year's break! This episode shares some of the folkloric themes of October: it's the pagan start of winter, and features spooky post-harvest customs of feeding the dead, love longing, rekindling the community fire, and a cute dose of shoe folklore.

Call for key collaborators in the Pagan Monastery Project:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jq9XCt29MqQXEaRNtnoUj4n_5LObtqmWf-F-g8fGdto/edit?usp=sharing

Listen to the Pagan Monastery Podcast on Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/pagan-monastery-podcast-with-danica-boyce/id1610505250

Listen to the Pagan Monastery Podcast on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/7xFdHUx1nJqge8Oq9Bs1GY?si=53d91206134049e8

Join the Mailing List:
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62d72c01da642d55a9868141

Listen to the October Almanac playlist on Spotify: 
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6vxucYP0zGjsH2AxfwlayL?si=d5ae8d42bbbe473f

Fair Folk’s Patreon: 
https://www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

Listen to Our Supernatural Landlords: folklorist Terry Gunnell on northern European winter guising traditions: 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/fair-folk-podcast/id1177770160?i=1000501474652

Songs featured in this episode:

Tam Lin by Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer

Buy Anais Mitchell and Jefferson Hamer’s album:
https://anaismitchell.ochre.store/release/250476-anas-mitchell-jefferson-hamer-child-ballads

Cheshire Souling Song by Cantorion CynWrig Singers

Buy the Cantorion CynWrig Singers’ music:
https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/cantorion-cynwrig/156043718

Holland Handkerchief by Chris Foster

Buy Chris Foster’s music: 
https://chrisfoster1.bandcamp.com/music

Who’s Gonna Shoe my Pretty Little Foot by Barbara Dane

Buy Barbara Dane’s music:
https://barbaradane.bandcamp.com/

“Old Jacky Frost” by the Wildness Yet

Buy the Wilderness Yet’s music:
https://www.thewildernessyet.com/shop.html

The Wilderness Yet on Bandcamp (digital):
https://thewildernessyet.bandcamp.com/

Opening theme:
Forest March by Sylvia Woods

Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
https://www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

Some sources for this episode:

Andreas Nordberg “Ritual Time and Time Reckoning.” The Pre-Christian Religions of the North: History and Structures, Volume ii, 725

On Shoes in walls: https://ztevetevans.wordpress.com/2020/08/12/strange-folklore-the-mystery-of-concealed-footwear/

For more info on boots and shoes and Hedwig: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781315166940-13/boots-saint-hedwig-jacqueline-jung

Recipe for Hedwigsohlen (Hedwig's soles pastries): https://catholiccuisine.blogspot.com/2014/10/soles-of-st-hedwig.html

British Calendar Customs: England (1942)

Polish Customs, Traditions and Folklore. 1996.

Kevin Danaher. The Year in Ireland. 1972.

Rekindle: October Almanac

This episode asks how we can take the natural themes of the month and separate them from the contexts that have framed and sometimes twisted them, so we can use them to empower all beings – especially, this month, foxes and geese. It surveys November droving and pannage traditions, Guy Fawkes Day on November 5th, fox hunting and its complex legacy, St. Martins day on November 11 and its entanglement with goose lore, and St. Catherine’s day on November 25th, which opens the season of the Germanic winter goddesses, whose later folklore connects spinning and wheels, snow, wild animals, flying, geese, and children.

Join the Mailing List:
view.flodesk.com/pages/62d72c01da642d55a9868141

Listen to the November Almanac playlist on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/094rCk7NZWNOSLmoHHPqc2?si=83d27558f563416b

Fair Folk’s Patreon:
www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

Songs featured in this episode:

“The Fox” by Laura Viers
Buy Laura Viers’ music on Bandcamp: 
https://lauraveirs.bandcamp.com/track/the-fox

“Kadrilaul” by Collage / Choir of Tallin University of Technology
Buy Collage’s music:
https://music.apple.com/gb/album/kadriko/1100185926

“Martinmas Time” by James Yorkston
Buy James Yorkston’s music digitally:
https://jamesyorkston.bandcamp.com/

Buy James Yorkston’s records:
https://www.jamesyorkston.co.uk/shop/

“Goose and Common” by the Askew Sisters
Buy the Askew Sisters’ music:
http://www.askewsisters.co.uk/

Opening theme:
Forest March by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

Some sources for this episode:

The Year in Ireland by Kevin Danaher, 1972.

Folk-Lore and Folk-Stories of Wales by Marie Trevelyan, 1909.
https://onlinebooks.library.upenn.edu/webbin/book//lookupid?key=olbp54204

Article: “The Winter Goddess: Percht, Holda, and Related Figures” by Lotte Motz
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HDXoKGBG3PojPXDJrJXZ3Ae2A7HQCCA7/view?usp=sharing

Article: "Perchta the Belly-Slitter and Her Kin: A View of Some Traditional Threatening Figures, Threats and Punishments" by John B. Smith
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1280qQAcXA-p0bbrF3_zujAbB0tJMr0Bo/view?usp=sharing

Frau Holle in the Grimm's Fairy Tales:
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm024.html

An article about enclosure:
https://medium.com/@daveuwakwe/what-a-poem-about-a-goose-teaches-us-about-property-3dfe6f7972ec

St. Martin Lore from County Kerry ℅ the National Folklore Collection of Ireland: https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4666609/4666442 (Search the vast collection for more!)

Fox & Goose: November Almanac

This is a conversation with Scottish folk-magic blogger and social worker Scott Richardson Read about the Gaelic folklore figure called the Cailleach: the old woman known as Scotland’s midwife; landscape shaper, storm-bringer, sovereignty figure, ancestral being, resurrected once and again, and present all through the folk calendar of the year.

The Cailleach has been popularly associated with wintertime, which is why I feature her on Fair Folk now, at the beginning of winter.

Transcript of this episode: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12oDeT-0u-0fnnascirU_k5izVU4kQHACj2zqTFI2wGA/

Resources referenced in this episode:

Cailleach’s Herbarium blog, Cailleach article #1
https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/2015/08/the-cailleach-a-tale-of-balance-between-darkness-and-light/

Cailleach’s Herbarium blog, Cailleach article #2
https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/2015/08/the-cailleach-a-tale-of-balance-between-darkness-and-light-part-two/

Cailleach’s Herbarium blog entry on an animist shrine dedicated to the Cailleach:
https://cailleachs-herbarium.com/2018/01/the-cailleach-scotlands-midwife-tigh-na-bodach/

Article: The Cailleach in Place-names and Place-lore by Alasdair C. Whyte:
https://clog.glasgow.ac.uk/ojs/index.php/JSNS/article/view/58/107

Mckenzie’s Wonder Tale, Beira, Queen of Winter:
https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/tsm/tsm04.htm

9th century poem about the Cailleach, “The Old Woman of Beare”
Audio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65CWjdVcBmg
Text: https://www.ronnowpoetry.com/contents/anonymous/OldWomanBeare.html

Songs in this episode:

Opening theme: “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

“The Old Woman of the Mill Dust / Cailleach An Dudain” by Alison Kinnair & Christine Primrose
Buy Alison Kinnair & Christine Primrose’s music:
https://guysegers1.bandcamp.com/track/cailleach-an-dudain-the-old-woman-of-the-mill-dust-alison-kinnaird-christine-primrose (album)
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/cailleach-an-dudain-the-old-woman-of-the-mill-dust/294080419?i=294080481

The Cailleach w/ Scott Richardson-Read

This episode surveys the folklore of the first half of December, including St. Nicholas' Day on Dec 6th, St. Lucia's day on Dec. 13th, and the solstice. As we approach the darkest point of winter, I ask the listener to follow the rhythm of nature and turn your gaze to the small, the domestic and the precious.

Join my mailing list:
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62d72c01da642d55a9868141

Music in this episode:

St. Nicholas by Anúna
Buy this track:
https://anuna.bandcamp.com/track/st-nicholas-2

Luciavisa by Lisa (singer Emma Härdelin)
Buy this track:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/luciavisa/204432292?i=204434789

There is no Rose by the King’s Singers
Buy this track:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/there-is-no-rose/79623724?i=79623213

Orientis Partibus by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels
Buy music by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels here: https://www.medievalminstrels.com/

Kąlėdų rytų saulė pražydo (The Sun Blossomed on Christmas Morning) by Sedula
Buy this track:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/kal%C4%97d%C5%B3-ryt%C4%85-saul%C4%97-pra%C5%BEydo/1427982403?i=1427982982

Rex Tua Nolo Munera by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels
Buy music by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels here: https://www.medievalminstrels.com/

Sources for this episode:

Lyrics to The Sun Blossomed on Christmas Morning by Sedula:
https://www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=5162

Some more information about medieval animal carols:
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/friendly_beasts.htm

More information about medieval carols:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology-south-east/news/2020/dec/evolution-medieval-christmas-carols

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen:
https://americanliterature.com/author/hans-christian-andersen/short-story/the-snow-queen

Little Christmas: December Almanac

This episode explores folklore and pagan origins of the 12 days of Christmas, with a focus on the feminine winter figures of Perchta, Holle, and Grýla, featuring a conversation with Jenn Campus, author of A Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule.

Unearthed: medieval imperialism course: https://rustic-waterfall-641.myflodesk.com

Buy Jenn Campus’ book, A Guide to Celebrating the 12 days of Yule for $5: https://jenncampusauthor.com/product/a-guide-to-celebrating-the-12-days-of-yule/

Emilia Blom, who shared the solstice wishes ritual with me: https://www.instagram.com/vildmedicin/

My Big Fat Solstice playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LFjxSUsJYrJE2S0nuYWdB?si=a743490a69a6459c

Gnome for Christmas Fair Folk episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5ysFM2qushhgWVuEx5kLq1?si=6172f7663bc0479f

Join my mailing list: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62d72c01da642d55a9868141

Resources & references for this episode:

The Stations of the Sun: the ritual year in Britain by Ronald Hutton

"'He met his own funeral procession': The Year walk-ritual in Swedish folk tradition”  Tommy Kuusela: https://www.academia.edu/9403910

The Icelandic Yule Lads poem in English
https://ingebretsens-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/The-Yule-Lads-Poem.pdf

“The Winter Goddess: Percht, Holda, and Related Figures” By Lotte Motz
https://dokumen.tips/documents/motz-lotte-the-winter-goddess-percht-holda-and-related-figures-1985.html?page=5

“Perchta the Belly-Slitter and Her Kin: A View of Some Traditional Threatening Figures, Threats and Punishments” by John B. Smith
https://www.scribd.com/doc/17325747/Perchta-the-Belly-slitter-and-Her-Kin

‘Grýla, Grýlur, Grøleks and Skeklers: Medieval Disguise Traditions in the North Atlantic?” by Terry Gunnell
https://notendur.hi.is/~terry/articles/TerryGunnell-2001_Gryla,Grylur,Groleks_and_Skeklers.pdf

Music in this episode:

Opening theme: Forest March by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

Malpas Wassail by the Watersons
Buy it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/music/player/albums/B09WJGTF52?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1483616862&sr=1-1

Spinn, Spinn, Spinnerinn by Herbergsuche Gruppe
Buy it: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/spinn-spinn-spinnerin/318155276?i=318155791

Grýlukvaeði by Thrju a Palli
Buy it:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/gr%C3%BDlukv%C3%A6%C3%B0i/1621787315?i=1621787688

Instrumental track: The Wanderer by Juniper and the Wolf
Buy Juniper and the Wolf’s music: https://juniperandthewolf.bandcamp.com/

The Twelve Days: December Almanac

This almanac episode dives into the folklore of February through the lens of the Ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia on February 15th, tracing the themes of birth, milk, wolves, wildness, purification, death, twilight, and thunder through the month’s other pagan holidays, including St. Brigid’s day on February 1st, Candlemas / Gromnica / Perkunas Day on February 2nd, and Scandinavian St. Peter Hotstone on February 22nd. 

This month’s episode asks what the notion of purification might mean in a pagan context, and suggests it may mean facing the shadow parts of ourselves that we tend to project onto animals (and women) so we can ritually integrate them, clarifying and owning our role as powerfully in-between creatures in a powerfully in-between world.

Important dates:
February 1: Brigid’s Day / Bride (Ireland / Scotland) 
February 2: Candlemas (Christian) / Gromnica (Slavic) / Perkunas day (Lithuania) / Perun’s Day (Belarus) 
February 14: St. Valentine’s day
February 15: Lupercalia 
February 21: Mardi Gras / end of Carnivale / Start of Lent 
February 22: St. Peter Hot-stone

Listen to the February Almanac playlist on Tidal:
https://tidal.com/browse/playlist/4c148b82-bfe5-46cf-ba26-63b7bc2a7acd

Listen to the February Almanac playlist on Spotify: 
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2QSKLQ8WeAq9v26NWfpTtX?si=33e31c5e2fe74971

Music in this episode:

“Lupercalia” by Faun
Buy Faun’s music: https://shop.faun-music.com/

“Värgsangen” by Jonna Jinton
More Jonna Jinton music: https://www.youtube.com/user/jonnajinton
Buy Jonna Jinton’s art: https://jonnajintonsweden.com/
 
“Ulvetimme” (The Hour of the Wolf) Maria Franz and Christopher Juul
Buy Heilung’s (Maria Franz and Christopher Juul) music: https://heilung.bandcamp.com/

“Mary’s Keen” by Noirin Ni Riain
Buy this track: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/marys-keen/992023961?i=992023970
Buy Noirin Ni Riain’s music: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/stor-amhran/41446103

“Grá” by Wardruna
Buy Wardruna music and merch: https://wardrunashop.com/collections/music
Buy Wardruna digital tracks: https://wardruna.bandcamp.com/music

Opening theme: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

Sources for this episode:

Watch Ronja Robbersdaughter: https://fsharetv.io/watch/ronja-robbersdaughter-episode-1-tt0088015

Watch Wolf Walkers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_Z_tybgPgg

Emperors of Rome Podcast, Lupercalia episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/episode-cxxxv-lupercalia/id850148806?i=1000465237605

History and Folklore Podcast: Medieval Wolves episode: https://historyandfolklorepodcast.libsyn.com/medieval-wolves

Medieval Folklore: A Guide to Myths, Legends, Tales, Beliefs, and Customs edited by Carl Lindahl, John McNamara, and John Lindow: entry: “Wolf [Canis Lupus] and Werewolf”

The Nordic Animist Year (book) by Rune Rasmussen

Candlelight Tales Podcast: Brigid episode: https://soundcloud.com/candlelittales/episode-7-brigid

Transcript:
Welcome to the podcast. This is the February Almanac episode  of Fair Folk called Wolf Milk.

 In these Almanac episodes, I comb through European calendar custom.  that is folklore relating to the cycle of the year, typically with a focus on Northern Europe.  And I share what I find with you to help you orient the month ahead. Equipped with knowledge of nourishing traditions that can help reconnect you  to the natural cycles of the year  to land and the life in the plants, animals, our bodies, and ourselves.

Seasonal folklore and festivals call us back into community with all beings on the earth in its regular spinning wheel of life and death.  And they help us to tend through ritual, our ties to our kin of all species, both our ancestral kin and our future kin to come.  The recovery of European traditional cultures, the ones that privilege relationality, interconnection and respect for all beings, which you might call indigenous cultures, is so early in its stages.

Wolf Milk: February Almanac

This episode outlines the folklore of April in northern Europe: April Fool's day, Palm Sunday, Easter, St. George's day, and the history of gathering greenery for ritual and soups, rising at the dawn to worship a goddess, cuckoo folklore, dragon lore, and lovely spring ritual songs to set the mood!

This month's April Almanac Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2AJtQbVqaNJKhwbSNpRqxc?si=4d2dafd206f74a15

Join the mailing list: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62d72c01da642d55a9868141

Goddess of the Dawn episode of Fair Folk: https://soundcloud.com/fairfolkcast/goddess-of-the-dawn

Goddess of the Dawn Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37OdQr0zs03bygse4ULS47?si=1dcb8ccce828438e

Resources:

Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, chapter: In the Footsteps of Nanabozho: Becoming Indigenous to Place. 
A quote: https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/7192815-our-immigrant-plant-teachers-offer-a-lot-of-different-models

Mimisbrunnr entry on the Nine Herbs Charm (Nigon Wyrta Galdor): https://www.mimisbrunnr.info/nigon-wyrta-galdor

A nice German nine-herb soup recipe: https://www.kitchenproject.com/german/recipes/Suppe/Grundonnerstagsuppe/index.htm

Music in this episode:

Opening theme: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

Kuku Kaki Kultarinta by Honeypaw
Purchase:
https://honeypawband.bandcamp.com/track/kuku-kaki-kultarinta

Edi Beo Thu Hevene Quene by Helena Ek and Goran Mansson
Purchase:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/edi-beo-thu-hevene-queene/1625877870?i=1625879088

Now the Green Blade Riseth by Caedmon
Purchase:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/now-the-green-blade-riseth/1491931796?i=1491932896

St. George by Waterson: Carthy
Purchase:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/st-george/1280110185?i=1280110191

Instrumental track at 54:29: A Madre De Jhesu Cristo by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels
Purchase:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/a-madre-de-jhesu-cristo/1346857580?i=1346857906

Bright morning stars are rising by Tony Saletan and Irene Saletan
Purchase:
https://folkways.si.edu/tony-and-irene-saletan/folk-songs-and-ballads

Dawn Rising: April Almanac

This episode my guest is Olle Möllervärn, Swedish folklore and paganism researcher and bear nerd! In this episode we discuss animism and how it brings us into more ethical relationship with animals, the connection between human fertility and bears, including human-bear romance, as well as the reason bears are connected with St. Tiburtius' day, April 14th.

Join my mailing list for a discount on my upcoming course on Old Norse polytheism, Gathering the Gods: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/62d72c01da642d55a9868141 (Registration opens April 17th)

Olle Möllervärn on Academia.edu: https://miun.academia.edu/OlleM%C3%B6llerv%C3%A4rn

Norwegian bear dance - skip to 18:00: https://tv.nrk.no/program/FOLA69009669

Opening theme:
Forest March by Sylvia Woods
Purchase Sylvia Woods' music: https://www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

Bear Culture: Scandinavian bear folklore with Olle Möllervärn

This episode outlines the key themes of May folklore embodied in the celebrations of May 1st, aka May Day or Beltane: bonfires for purification and protection, veneration of plants and trees, the leading of animals to green pastures, erotic expressions of pleasure, and the blooming promise of earth's abundance.

Join the Gathering the Gods course on Thor, Odin, & Freya: https://fantastic-hall-390.myflodesk.com/

Listen to the Big Beltane Spotify playlist (newly updated): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6UVpAwkdX39Bk5mY1Kd2Xc?si=0f91f96826544081

Big Beltane: May Day Song and Custom episode from 2019: https://open.spotify.com/episode/62jeozEUNP0FFrKKSafLEJ?si=4de8b4c66c284d5b

Music in this episode:
"Don't you Go a Rushing" by Lisa Knapp
https://lisaknapp.bandcamp.com/album/till-april-is-dead-a-garland-of-may

"Robin Hood and the Tanner" by Jesse Ferguson
Buy it: 
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/folk-favourites/1238844872

"Äggavisan" by Folk och Rachare
Buy it: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/%C3%A4ggavisan/1462963060?i=1462963069

Opening theme: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

The Generous Wood: May Almanac

This episode, a bonus introductory unit to my upcoming Gathering the Gods course, introduces Old Norse culture and language, and describes the status of gods in the Old Norse religion and cosmology. This course will give an overview of the surviving historical texts and traces of the gods Thor, Odin, and Freya.
Gathering the Gods begins May 7th! Sign up here: https://fantastic-hall-390.myflodesk.com/
Access the reading and materials for this intro unit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GPjFkblda1E7NlXrpMCHRa0Q5WWk_JJO?usp=sharing

Who & What are the Old Norse Gods?: Bonus Intro Unit to Gathering the Gods Course

We have reached the energetic peak of the year. The main ancient and folkloric themes of June ritualise the human relationship to two of our primary life-givers, the sun and water. Our romance with these elements (and one another) reach a peak as the year completes its in-breath around the summer solstice. This episode outlines a faint thematic arc in historical Whitsun practices at the start of June, and Midsummer at the end, focusing especially on the folk rituals and folksong of the Baltic countries, Eastern Europe and Ireland.

Purchase my new Gathering the Gods course on Thor, Odin, & Freya: fantastic-hall-390.myflodesk.com/

My excellent Midsummer Solstice / June Almanac playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0gG8z6O83kpkjflUqaSMZc?si=a7a6693c091046ef

The Midsummer Solstice episode of Fair Folk podcast from 2018: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1QZliHXdfHHmSVy0ySfpbv?si=fe6608a7395c4a5e

“Rusalki: Anthropology of time, death, and sexuality in Slavic folklore” by Jiří Dynda 
https://www.academia.edu/34620531/Rusalki_Anthropology_of_time_death_and_sexuality_in_Slavic_folklore

“The Mythic Sun: An Aerial Perspective” by Thomas Dubois: 
https://chs.harvard.edu/chapter/thomas-a-dubois-the-mythic-sun-an-areal-perspective/

“Migration of Song Genres: Two Typical Lithuanian Cases” by Rytis Ambrazevičius
https://bop.unibe.ch/EJM/article/view/8335

“The Midsummer Solstice As It Was, Or Was Not, Observed in Pagan Germany, Scandinavia and Anglo-Saxon England” by Sandra Billington 
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hX0NJJHjoicOq-5VH3kPfsQAX3NTbAtj/view?usp=sharing

Music in this episode:
Opening theme: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds

“O Na Ivana Na Kupala” by Olexa Kabanov - 
Buy it: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/oh-na-ivana-na-kupala/919387915?i=919387973

“Švinta Jona Vakaralia” by Nalšia -
Learn more and buy it (scroll down for English): http://www.lnkc.lt/go.php/lit/Kupole-roze-sekminiu-joniniu-dainuojamoji-tautosaka/110946

Ozolini, Ozolini by Vilkači - 
Buy it: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/j%C4%81nis/1201942701

Fire & Water: June Almanac

In this episode I gently interrogate what we mean when we say "the veil is thin" at Halloween, and offer a vision of the whole of winter as a season of hospitality between humans and the otherworld(s) through fire, story, music, and rituals of generosity.
Listen to past Fair Folk episode "All Hallows' Folk Tradition at the Gates of Winter" https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/all-hallows-folk-tradition-at-the-gates-of-winter/id1177770160?i=1000452872493
Get love letters from me: https://winter-lion-59052.myflodesk.com/pijrgnu11x
Join my Patreon for as little as $2 a month!: https://www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast
Where to find Kirsten Milliken, the storyteller: instagram.com/kirstinmillikenstoryteller
facebook.com/com/kirstinmillikenstoryteller
www.kirstenmilliken.co.uk
Music in this episode:
Opening theme: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds
"Réidh Chnoc Mná Duibhe" by Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin
Buy the song: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/re-idh-chnoc-mna-duibhe/1653578592?i=1653581085
Image is Fairy Tale of Kings by Lithuanian painter Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis

The Banquet Beyond the Veil - Halloween Almanac

This episode surveys the folklore of the first half of December, including St. Nicholas' Day on Dec 6th, St. Lucia's day on Dec. 13th, and the solstice. As we approach the darkest point of winter, I ask you to follow the rhythm of nature and turn your gaze to the small, the domestic and the precious.

Sign up for the ONLINE Pagan Carols Singalong!: https://winter-lion-59052.myflodesk.com/sgn5zaflv8/
Sign up for the IN-PERSON Pagan Carols Singalong in Victoria BC: https://winter-lion-59052.myflodesk.com/yl53dvqx1w
 
Join my mailing list:
view.flodesk.com/pages/62d72c01da642d55a9868141

Music in this episode:

St. Nicholas by Anúna
Buy this track:
anuna.bandcamp.com/track/st-nicholas-2

Luciavisa by Lisa (singer Emma Härdelin)
Buy this track:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/luciavisa/204432292?i=204434789

There is no Rose by the King’s Singers
Buy this track:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/there-is-no-rose/79623724?i=79623213

Orientis Partibus by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels
Buy music by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels here: www.medievalminstrels.com/

Kąlėdų rytų saulė pražydo (The Sun Blossomed on Christmas Morning) by Sedula
Buy this track:
https://music.apple.com/ca/album/kal%C4%97d%C5%B3-ryt%C4%85-saul%C4%97-pra%C5%BEydo/1427982403?i=1427982982

Rex Tua Nolo Munera by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels
Buy music by Trouvere Medieval Minstrels here: www.medievalminstrels.com/

Sources for this episode:

Lyrics to The Sun Blossomed on Christmas Morning by Sedula:
www.mamalisa.com/?t=es&p=5162

Some more information about medieval animal carols:
http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/friendly_beasts.htm

More information about medieval carols:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology-south-east/news/2020/dec/evolution-medieval-christmas-carols

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen:
https://americanliterature.com/author/hans-christian-andersen/short-story/the-snow-queen

This episode explores folklore and pagan origins of the 12 days of Christmas, with a focus on the feminine winter figures of Perchta, Holle, and Grýla, featuring a conversation with Jenn Campus, author of A Guide to Celebrating the 12 Days of Yule.
Pagan Ritual Song course: https://f77d9f-2.myshopify.com/products/pagan-ritual-song-course-jan-feb-2024
Buy Jenn Campus’ book, A Guide to Celebrating the 12 days of Yule: jenncampusauthor.com/product/a-guid…-days-of-yule/
Emilia Blom, who shared the solstice wishes ritual with me: www.instagram.com/vildmedicin/
My Big Fat Solstice playlist on Spotify: open.spotify.com/playlist/2LFjxSU…a743490a69a6459c
Gnome for Christmas Fair Folk episode: open.spotify.com/episode/5ysFM2qu…6172f7663bc0479f
Join my mailing list: view.flodesk.com/pages/62d72c01da642d55a9868141
Resources & references for this episode:
The Stations of the Sun: the ritual year in Britain by Ronald Hutton
"'He met his own funeral procession': The Year walk-ritual in Swedish folk tradition” Tommy Kuusela: www.academia.edu/9403910
The Icelandic Yule Lads poem in English ingebretsens-blog.com/wp-content/upl…-Lads-Poem.pdf
“The Winter Goddess: Percht, Holda, and Related Figures” By Lotte Motz dokumen.tips/documents/motz-lot…s-1985.html?page=5
“Perchta the Belly-Slitter and Her Kin: A View of Some Traditional Threatening Figures, Threats and Punishments” by John B. Smith www.scribd.com/doc/17325747/Perc…itter-and-Her-Kin
‘Grýla, Grýlur, Grøleks and Skeklers: Medieval Disguise Traditions in the North Atlantic?” by Terry Gunnell notendur.hi.is/~terry/articles/T…_and_Skeklers.pdf
Music in this episode:
Opening theme: Forest March by Sylvia Woods Buy Sylvia Woods’ music: www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds
Malpas Wassail by the Watersons Buy it: www.amazon.co.uk/music/player/alb…483616862&sr=1-1
Spinn, Spinn, Spinnerinn by Herbergsuche Gruppe Buy it: music.apple.com/ca/album/spinn-sp…55276?i=318155791
Grýlukvaeði by Thrju a Palli Buy it: music.apple.com/ca/album/gr%C3%BD…7315?i=1621787688
Instrumental track: The Wanderer by Juniper and the Wolf Buy Juniper and the Wolf’s music: juniperandthewolf.bandcamp.com/

Subscribe to my Substack newsletter: https://enthusiastica.substack.com/
Join the Cave of Dreams workshop series: https://www.houseoflegends.me/cave-of-dreams
In this episode, Daniel Allison tells the story of the god Lugh (after whom Lughnasadh is named) at the hall of the king Nuada, leading us into a discussion of how we might approach Lughnasadh folklore and mythology now. Then we share what each of us has been up to lately, especially emphasizing the role of pagan devotion in each of our work, and diving into the role of “permission” to embody sacred traditional culture.

Lughnasadh Special with Scottish storyteller Daniel Allison

In this episode I share about September as harvest month in folklore, Old English names for the month and season, spirits of the grain, the meaning of the equinox in tradition, the upcoming lunar eclipse, and Michaelmas!

Sign up for the Cave of Dreams workshop series: https://www.houseoflegends.me/cave-of-dreams
Find me on Substack: https://enthusiastica.substack.com/
September Almanac playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0gajsHJ86ljT3f1TuFtLFI?si=ce9b72a3701d4b77

Music in this episode:
Opening theme: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds
“Ripest of Apples” by Anna and Elizabeth
Buy Anna and Elizabeth’s music:
https://annaandelizabeth.bandcamp.com/
“Band of Shearers” by Carla Sciaky
Buy Carla Sciaky’s music:
https://carlasciaky.com/index.html#store
“My Son David” by the Brothers Gillespie
Brothers Gillespie tour and music: https://thebrothersgillespie.com/shows
“Apples and Potatoes” by June Tabor
June Tabor tour: https://www.bandsintown.com/a/112582-june-tabor
Instrumental tracks:
“Apples in Winter” by Peter Acty
Buy this track: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/apples-in-winter/1617403163?i=1617403387
“Harvest Home” by Willie Clancy
Buy the album: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/willie-clancy-the-gold-ring/458399572

Image: Theodor von Hörmann - Mondaufgang nach der Ernte

Haligmonað / Holy Month - September Almanac

Sign up for October's Cave of Dreams workshop: www.houseoflegends.me/cave-of-dreams
Find me on Substack: https://enthusiastica.substack.com/
In this almanac episode, I survey some themes of the folklore of October, from fire rituals to guising, and invite listeners to dream into the relationship they would like to cultivate with the unseen in the winter months of the year. The full moon of October this year is October 17th, from which this episode took its Anglo-Saxon name, Winterfylleþ, winter-full, the full moon marking the start of the winter half of the year.
Music in this episode:
Opening theme: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
Buy Sylvia Woods’ music:
www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds
"Tam Lin" by Moira Craig
Buy this track: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/tam-lin/1617427959?i=1617427977
"The Foggy Dew" by Ye Vagabonds
Buy it: https://yevagabonds.bandcamp.com/track/the-foggy-dew
"Dromte Mig En Drom I Nat" by Musica Ficta & Bo Holten
Buy this track: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/dromte-mig-en-drom-i-nat/474624260?i=474624262

Corrections:
The whales I saw were in fact porpoises, and I was recording near Dunstanburgh Castle, rather than Dunstan Castle

Winterfylleþ - October Almanac

On this episode, you'll find out just how many landscape features can be attributed to the petty hostilities of overgrown men, you'll hear about that one time Stan Rogers dabbled in druidism, and you'll learn what Fe Fi Fo Fum actually means.

Music:
Intro theme: Sylvia Woods - Forest March
"The Sun" by Warsaw Village Band
"Jotunheimr" by Adrian Von Ziegler
"Giant" by Stan Rogers
"The Legend of Fionn Mac Cumhaill " by Nick Mason
"Herr Mannelig" by Garmarna
"Paul Bunyan" by Gene Bluestein
"Ballad of John Henry" by Doc Watson
"You Can't Save Everything" by Magnolia Electric Co.
"The Giant of Illinois" by Andrew Bird
"Early One Morning (Friendly Giant Theme) by Bob Homme & John Duncan

Giants

This episode of Fair Folk you’ll hear about how an early modern Scottish king literally wrote the book on witchcraft, making Harry Potter possible for future generations, I’ll tell you about the Swedish Queen who is revered to this day for murdering her suitors, and you’ll hear some of the very best folk songs about witches.

Music:
Opening Theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
"I Once Lived in Service" by The Witches of Elswick
"La Harpe et l'Enfant" by Alan Stivell
"Willie's Lady" by Anaïs Mitchell & Jefferson Hamer
"Martinmas Time" by Andy Irvine and Paul Brady
"The Witch of the Westmoreland" by Stan Rogers
"Mammy Redd" by John Allison
"The Death of Goody Nurse" by John Allison
"The Broomfield Hill" by Malinky
"Alison Gross" by Dave & Toni Arthur
"Come, Witches, to the Dance" by Lady Isadora with Lord Pan
"Witches Reel" by Green Crown
"The Brown Girl" by Frankie Armstrong

Witches

Malevolent or helpful, pinched and small, or beautiful beyond description, elves are a mainstay of western folk belief. Today we’re exploring the many manifestations of elf belief, delving into the folklore of the British Isles and Scandinavia, the two regions where elves have been most robustly represented. This episode features an interview with Terry Gunnell, professor of Folkloristics at the University of Iceland, and expert on the history - and present - of elf belief in Iceland. 

Music:
Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
"Ólavur Riddararós" by Valravn
"The Pilgrim's Prayer" by Oliver Schroer
"The Elfin Knight" by Mary O'Hara
"Trivium" by Arvo Pärt
"Liti Kjersti og Elvekongen" by Kirsten Bråten Berg
"Cello Suite No. 1, Op. 72 II. Lamento Lento Rubato" by Denise Djokic
"True Thomas" by Christina Stewart
"The Passing of the Elves" by Howard Shore
"Queen of Elfan's Nourice" by Rachel Newton
Interview:
"Hollin Green Hollin / Thomas the Rhymer / Young Benjie / Tam Lin" by Gordon Mooney
"Metamorphosis" by Sylvia Woods
"A Fairy's Love Song" by Celtic Harp Soundscapes
"Ólafur Liljurós" by Icelandic Folk Music
"Starálfur" by Sigur Rós - End Interview
"Tam Lin" by Fairport Convention

Image: "A Fairy and a Knight" by Richard Doyle

Elves

Traditional herding calls from Sweden and Norway, with an interview with Swedish folk musician and kulning instructor Siri Holm. 

Music:
Intro theme - "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
“Kulning” by Adolf Fredriks Kyrkas Kammarkör & Karin Backstrom
“Kulning” Maria Hulthén Birkeland
“Kulning” by Susanne Rosenberg
“Farlock (Sheep Calls) - Getlock (Goat Calls) - Kalvlock (Calf Calls)” by Karin Edvardsson Johansson
“Kulning” by Nygards Elisabet Nordkvist
“Lockrop” by Karin Edvardsson Johansson
“Koukning, get - och farlock (Goat and Sheep Calls)” by Erika Johansson
“Kulokk” by Eli Storbekken
“Kulokk” (Grieg) by Reidun Horvei
“Hornlat fran Rattvik och Ore (Herding Call from Rattvik and Ore)” by Pelle Jakobsson
“Vallat efter Frisell, Mockfjard” by Pelle Jakobsson
“Lurlat fran evertsberg efter Tommos Kersti” by Pelle Jakobsson
(interview begins)
“Puksanger - Lockrop” by Lena Willemark, Susanne Rosenberg & Helena Gabrielsson
“Kolock (Cow Call)” by Lena Willemark
(interview ends)
“Komarschlåten” by Ulrika Bodén

Mastered by Ross Waldron 

Error: at 16:57, I say a herding signal from Mockjard, when I meant to say a herding signal from Mockfjard

More information on kulning and other herding call traditions:

-If you want to learn kulning and you cannot find a workshop, there is a book and CD set of lessons for sale at www.uddatoner.com

-A kulokk instruction manual can be found here: 
https://www.ingebretsens.com/sing-til-cows-come-home-w-cd.html

-A fun old Finnish herding call documentary film:
https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2010/08/13/karjan-kutsumahuudot

-A great article on the technical aspects of kulning by Susanna Rosenberg:
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/23268263.2013.829712?needAccess=true

Kulning and other herding calls

The first in a series on vocal polyphony, this episode gives credit to the ancient origins of vocal polyphony in rural community practices, looking specifically at the polyphony of Lithuania, whose sutartinės are a symbol of the nation's strong pre-christian folk heritage.

Music:
"Georgia: Vocal" by Greek Orthodox Church Choir
"Vay, More" (Oh, the Sea) by The Women's Folklore Ensemble of Staraya Terizmorga
Chant dedicated to St. Boniface, patron saint of Germany, 10th century by Quintin Beer and John Clapham
"Responsory: Favus Distillans" by Anonymous 4
"Äs Zäuerli" by Öse Schuppel
Latvian Song recorded by Andres Jurian in 1895 by Ensemble Sausejas
"Kaval Sviri (The Flute Plays)" by Bulgarian State Radio & Television Female Vocal Choir
"Porazh Veles" (Porazh Village) by The Women's Folklore Ensemble of Staraya Terizmorga
"Trep Trepo, Martela" by Trys Keturiose
"Kas Tar Taka" by Obelija
"Kā Palinkai, Berželi?" (Recorded 1939)
"Ka Palinkai, Berželi" by Jievaras
"Daudas" by Kūlgrinda
"Vakarinė Žvaigždelė" by Kūlgrinda
"Responsory: Favus distillans" by Anonymous 4

This episode relied heavily on books and articles by Joseph Jordania and Daiva Račiūnaitė-Vyčinienė. Special thanks to Eglė Česnakavičiūtė of the band Obelija for assisting research, translating and explaining sutartinės for me.

Image:
An elderly group of sutartinės singers from the village of Smilgiai dancing, by Balys Biračas, 1936. Found in Daiva Račiūnaitė-Vyčinienė's "The Archaic Lithuanian Polyphonic Chant Sutartinė." Lituanus 52, 2006.

Ancient Multi-part European Folk Singing - Polyphony Part 1

This episode explores the ancient traditions behind today's favourite Halloween activities: trick-or-treating, jack-o-lantern carving, divination, and... communing with the dead.
This episode's music:
Intro Music: “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods
2:09 “Nöstmo Halvar” by Per O G Runberg
7:04 “King Orfeo” by Alva
13:07 “Samhain” by Ron Allen
14:55 “Punkie Night” by Withe & Stone
17:11 “Tam Glen” by Jean Redpath
22:45 “Colcannon” by The Black Family
26:30 “The Wife of Usher’s Well” by Alfred Deller & The Deller Consort
31:38 “Souling Song” by the Watersons
38:10 “Faithful Johnny” by Bryony Griffith & Will Hampson
42:30 “Lyke Wake Dirge” by the Young Tradition
Image: Witch plate. Fancy dresses described, or, what to wear at fancy balls, Arden Holt, 1882.

All Hallows': Folk Tradition at the Gates of Winter

I recorded this conversation last fall with the award-winning Irish storyteller Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair, who lives in Donegal, Ireland, and learned her craft from the last living traditional storytellers in Donegal.

Get the Fair Folk tote at my new website www.fairfolkcast.com!

Notes:
*The book Eithne mentions at 39:00, Women Who Run With the Wolves is written by Clarissa Pinkola Estés. It’s available at used and new bookshops all over.
*42:05 the "schools collection" she refers to is part of the National Folklore Collection of Ireland, at University College Dublin
*This episode edited by Laura Hamill of Perennial Collective! http://www.perennialcollective.com/

Music:
Intro theme: “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods
“Carolan's Farewell to Music” by Julia Seager-Scott
“Untitled” by Jean Christian
“Carolan - Five Tunes By the Irish Harper: IV. Carolan's Farewell to Music” by Da Camera
“When She Cam Ben” by Da Camera
“Untitled” by Jean Christian
“Carolan's Farewell to Music” by Julia Seager-Scott
“The Great Silkie of Sule Skerry” by Ale Möller & Aly Bain

Image: Eithne Ní Gullaher on St. Colmcille’s bed at Glencolmcille, Donegal

Interview with Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair, Irish Storyteller

This episode witnesses the troubled relationship between the folklore of wells and springs and memories of trauma and violation. It discusses the vulnerability and suffering of women and Jews under medieval Christianity that is symbolized in the image of the well and processed through the embodied act of singing.

Links:
Mailing list: https://winter-lion-59052.myflodesk.com/pijrgnu11x
Patreon: www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast.com
Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yb6cp36h

Music:
1:40 "Gungnir" by Valgaldr (Gøran Hálfdanarson Ellingsen)
9:15 “You are the Field” by Sarah Neufeld
12:30 “The Holy Well” by Jean Ritchie
20:00 “Maria Magdalena” by Vendla Johansson
24:25 “The Well Below the Valley” by Frankie Armstrong and Maddy Prior
30:20 “George Collins” by John Fleagle
38:15 “Per Tyrsons döttrar i Vänge” by Jan Hammarlund
49:30 “Little Sir Hugh” by Alasdair Roberts
58:15 "Herr Töres Döttrar I Vänge" Jan Johansson

Wells & Springs Episode 2: Water Of Death

Abundance Paganism sales page for January 2021:
https://fair-folk-media.mykajabi.com/abundance-paganism

This episode introduces the concept of abundance paganism, and announces my offering of a course by the same name beginning September 2nd!

Topics covered: 
*how abundance mentality dovetails with a pagan worldview and pagan practice
*my definition of ancestry
*appropriation and integrity
*the connection between suffering, death, sacrifice and transformation
*what our ancestors were doing most of the time (hint: it wasn’t war)

Music: 
Fair Folk intro theme: “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods
16:55 “Ia Patonepi” by Imke McMurtrie, Nana Mzhavanadze & Tamar Buadze https://www.amazon.com/Georgian-Songs-Mzhavanadze-Buadze-McMurtrie/dp/B07BJFJLQH
32:00 “Helvegen” by Kalandra (written by Einar Selvik) https://kalandra.bandcamp.com/
“Kur Sakuolalis Ten Gegiutala” by Kulgrinda https://www.facebook.com/Kulgrinda/

What is Abundance Paganism?

In this episode I dive deep into Ancient Germanic apple and tree symbolism with researcher Joseph S. Hopkins of Norse mythology resource mimisbrunnr.info. 

Links:
Abundance Paganism info and registration: https://fair-folk-media.mykajabi.com/sales-page
Mimisbrunnr.info
About Joseph S. Hopkins: www.mimisbrunnr.info/hopkins
Kvasir Symbols Database entry on apples: https://www.mimisbrunnr.info/ksd-apple

Music:
Intro theme: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods
"Oj Jabuko" by Ansambl Ladarice
"Do you Love an Apple" by the Bothy Band

Apples & the Gods with Joseph S. Hopkins

This is an extremely potent interview of myself by Kathryn Fink, of the Heart is a Cauldron Podcast! 
The Heart is Cauldron Podcast: https://kathrynfink.com/the-heart-is-a-cauldron
Sign up for my mailing list to hear when Abundance Paganism opens again: www.fairfolkcast.com
Kathryn Fink instagram: www.instagram.com/kathryn.a.fink/
My instagram: www.instagram.com/danica.boyce/
Fair Folk Patreon: www.patreon.com/fairfolkcast

In the Cauldron with Danica Boyce - The Heart is a Cauldron Podcast with Kathryn Fink

Enjoy this 2019 episode exploring the ancient traditions behind today's favourite Halloween activities: trick-or-treating, jack-o-lantern carving, divination, and... communing with the dead.
This episode's music:
Intro Music: “Forest March” by Sylvia Woods
2:09 “Nöstmo Halvar” by Per O G Runberg
7:04 “King Orfeo” by Alva
13:07 “Samhain” by Ron Allen
14:55 “Punkie Night” by Withe & Stone
17:11 “Tam Glen” by Jean Redpath
22:45 “Colcannon” by The Black Family
26:30 “The Wife of Usher’s Well” by Alfred Deller & The Deller Consort
31:38 “Souling Song” by the Watersons
38:10 “Faithful Johnny” by Bryony Griffith & Will Hampson
42:30 “Lyke Wake Dirge” by the Young Tradition
Image: Scotch Mist by John Duncan

Fair Folk is a podcast rediscovering and sharing the sacred song and folk traditions of Europe.

Fair Folk Podcast with Danica Boyce

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