Okay, poor (very poor) joke title — and it’s Grissel Jaffray anyway! Although thanks to the comments on this new video, I found out about Jim Reid’s song ‘Grizzeled Jaffray’ about Dundee’s last witch. So I’m told; I’m trying to get a copy of it now so I can hear for myself. [Edit to add:…
Category: witchcraft
Walpurgisnacht Shenanigans
Peg and I started talking about Rosemary’s Baby between cats, a snoozy dog and far too much rustling of lapel mics (oops!). Peg did a great job editing but we may pick up this conversation and run further with it because there is just so much to say! The film most responsible for the 80s…
CFP: Divination, Witchcraft, and the Occult
Call for Presentations Divination, Witchcraft & the Occult *SPECIAL TOPIC* Popular Culture Association Conference 16-19 April 2025 New Orleans, Louisiana, US The broad interest in divination, witchcraft, and the occult has been part of popular culture for centuries. Scholars’ discomfort with the topic is often palpable: they tend to focus on intersections that feel more…
Magic on the BBC
Tune in next Tuesday to hear me on Matthew Sweet’s ‘Free Thinking’ programme along with Jessica Gossling, John Tresch and Chris Gosden. Matthew had seen me speak at the Magickal Women conference and invited me along for the free-ranging chat. You will be able to listen to it live or on catch up, because unlike BBC…
Preston Manor: Doreen Valiente
During my London week I took one day off to run down to Brighton: the first set of pictures from the Doreen Valiente exhibit at Preston Manor can be found here. Next to the exhibit itself, I enjoyed the gardens where I was waylaid by a couple of cheeky magpies (two for joy). Here’s my…
#FolkloreThursday Freebie: Rook Chant
Click the picture above to get a free ebook copy of my magical miscellany Rook Chant. What a lovely cover S. L. Johnson created from one of my fortuitous photos in Galway. I miss the rooks. Don’t hesitate — the offer’s good today only. Be sure to catch up with all the fun lore at…
History Witch: Anglo-Saxon Death
I think the impulse that defines an academic nature is that one responds to difficult moments by turning to the past to see how others have coped with similar times. So still reeling from unexpected grief, I turn to history as I contemplate the ways we deal with the inevitability of parting from those we…
Six Sentence Sunday: Pelzmantel
As always, drop by Six Sentence Sunday to browse through the offerings and discover new writers. Once upon a time, there was a queen. She had hair of brilliant gold. It would shine like burnished metal in the sunlight, dance in moonlight spears. Her face had the radiant glow of genuine happiness, for she loved…
Know-vember: Peg Aloi
My movie buddy! Peg and I have seen a lot of movies together, good and bad — and have often argued about which was which (hee)! Peg is also a writer and academic as well as an amazing cook and baker (mmmm, deliciousness). I haven’t gone to the movies yet in Galway, surprisingly. The good…
Know-vember: Byron Ballard
Yes, it’s your Village Witch, the Appalachian wise woman, Ms Ballard. We first met at the witchcraft conference at Harvard and managed to keep up with one another ever since. I’m hoping Byron will be able to manage a trip over here while I’m in Ireland. Should be wonderful to have her in the land…