Category: Superstitions

The Old Magic of Walking in Circles

Clockwise or widdershins? Around wells, boats, fires and even the kitchen pot, direction once mattered. Follow the sun for luck and protection – or go the other way when you want to turn the world upside down…

Don’t Turn the Bread Upside-Down

Bread, butter, salt, fire and even empty egg shells were once surrounded by rules designed to protect the household. Step into the kitchen, where everyday cooking still carries traces of some very Old Magic…

Put It Back

Shoes in walls, witch bottles beneath floors, horse skulls under houses and dried cats hidden in ceilings. Our ancestors built protection into their homes – and when we find it centuries later, sometimes we still put it back.

The Old Magic Hiding in Your Clothes

Getting dressed was once riddled with magic. From inside-out clothes and lucky socks to dangerous buttons, troublesome stiles and the unforgivable crime of putting shoes on the table, some of the old rules are still hiding in our wardrobes.

A Penny For Luck

A penny in a new purse, silver for a baby, a coin for a gifted knife or hammered into a wishing tree. We still use money for luck in ways that have very little to do with buying anything.

Don’t Throw Yourself Away

How much old magic survives in the things we throw away? From lost teeth beneath pillows to hair and nail clippings, our discarded pieces once carried dangerous power…

When the Dead Don’t Stay Dead

There are few things that humanity has been quite so consistently afraid of as a dead person who refuses to behave like one.

The Folk Beyond the Hedgerows

Beyond the hedge lies another Britain. A land of fairy paths, hidden kingdoms and ancient warnings…

Woven From the Last Harvest

Corn dollies are intricate straw creations from harvest traditions, symbolizing good fortune and community. They represent the blend of craftsmanship, belief, and the important relationship between people and the land.

The Chained Oak – The Curse That Refused to Die

“For every branch that falls from this old oak, a member of your family shall die.”

More Than a Game

The Superstitions, Rituals and Folklore of Football

Steel & Spirits – The Forgotten Folklore of Yorkshire’s Furnaces

The steel industry shaped towns, communities and families. Yet, alongside the engineering, economics and industry there existed something else. Stories.

The M.T. Almanac – June 2026

Ghosts, UFOs, Cryptids, Crop Circles and Curious Things…

The Knockers Beneath The Hill

Quarry Legends and Haunted Mine Workings.. Oh My!

Thresholds

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Beltane

Let me tell you a tale about a time of fire, fertility, and a touch of the uncanny.. Beltane, that bright flicker on the wheel […]

Walpurgisnacht

As April folds into May, the night of the 30th brings with it one of the most potent and curiously layered observances on the witch’s calendar…

Burn’s Night

  • SiAx
  • January 25, 2026
  • 0

On this 25th of January, 2025, Welcome to Burn’s Night, and a special hello to our friends and family living in Scotland – we hope the Storms currently ravaging the country leave soon and doesn’t do too much damage to your lives.

The Nice List is a Lie.

Winter Judges, Watchers & Why Christmas Was Never Soft

The Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice feels kinda special, marked by that hush in the air. It’s not just about darkness; it’s about embracing it and lighting the way for the sun to return. Cultures celebrate with fires, rituals, and intentions, reminding us to honor the pause and recognize small lights in tough times.

The Yule Lads

Good morning from Derbyshire! As we hustle for Christmas, let’s chat about the Yule Lads—thirteen quirky Icelandic mischievous visitors who remind us winter is all about managing chaos. Their antics include stealing food and sleep, ensuring we’re not just surviving the season, but embracing it, one outrageous character at a time!

By the Hearth’s Glow

Old Fire Lore, Winter Customs, and the Quiet Magic of Keeping Warm, just in case things are getting on top of you 💚

Old Wives’ Tales – Nature’s Winter Weather Signals

Ah, winter in England – where rain’s got commitment issues and snow’s more elusive than a good Wi-Fi connection. As grandpas sniff for snow omens and cows lounge like royalty, we cling to old superstitions, hopeful. Will this be the year when snow finally shows up and not just a coy tease? Stay tuned!

Old Fashioned Frost Rituals

Winter’s icy grip once turned us into ritual conjurers, from whistling at frost to dancing barefoot on chilly grass. Now, we just mutter at our car windows, hoping for less slipping and more gripping. Good luck staying upright!

The Dumb Supper

They called it the dumb supper — not foolish, but silent. A meal served to the dead, or to whatever might answer the invitation. Somewhere between love charm and séance, it’s one of those eerie old traditions that lingers in the firelight as October draws its breath.