Rivers In Time

For twenty years, Lady Dervorguilla of Galloway carried her husband's heart in an ivory casket. She spoke to it. She slept beside it. When she died, the heart was buried with her. She was not alone. Across medieval and early modern Europe, the dead were sometimes buried in pieces. Hearts sent home from crusades, smuggled across borders, or kept in desk drawers for decades. A Breton noblewoman was...

Six hundred horses, buried in perfect rows. A 3,000-year-old ritual still practiced today. And a paper horse burning in a modern funeral.   In this episode, we look at the forgotten Chinese tradition of giving the dead a horse. Not as a symbol of wealth, but as a guide and protector for the soul's perilous journey to the afterlife. From the horse worship rituals of the Zhou dynasty to the 600-hors...

A man walks into a palace, claims the English throne, and blames a talking cat. That bizarre story opens a darker door: Europe's centuries-long war on cats.  From there, we travel across medieval and early modern Europe. From French bonfires where cats were burned as witches, Belgian towers where they were thrown for sport, to Danish barrels where children now hunt for candy. Along the way, we mee...

In forgotten myths, summer was killed by gods, monsters, and storms. We all know the story of Persephone and Hades, or perhaps even of Inanna and Dumuzi, but what about the other gods and monsters who bring the end of summer? Let's talk about the forgotten myths of the Northern Isles and the Slavic world, where summer was torn down by sea battles, skinless horrors, and divine betrayal. This is the...

Is magic real?  The Elizabethans certainly thought so. In a world lit by candlelight and shadowed by mystery, belief in witches, spells, and omens was as real as the rising sun. From the royal court to the village square, magic and superstition shaped everyday life—guiding decisions, inspiring fear, and influencing even the greatest minds of the age. In 1561, a man named Hew Draper vanished from t...

Deep in Loch Maree, a tiny island hides a tree studded with coins, a well that forgot how to heal, and graves of lovers who trusted fate too far. Isle Maree is where Scottish legends whisper of magic, saintly miracles, and a queen’s secret wish. But whose power still lingers? In this episode, we cover: Queen Victoria's visit to Isle Meree The healing well The sacred Oak tree The forgotten rituals...

May Day celebrations in Britain are full of colours, from the crowning of the May Queen, Jack in the Green parade, Morris dancing, and Bealtaine fire festival to the collecting of May dew. The list goes on.  In this episode, we take a look at some of the celebrations taking place in England, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.

In the ancient world where serpents ruled supreme—a time when snakes were not just creatures, but creators, protectors, and symbols of life itself.  From the primordial chaos of Pangu to the cosmic repairs of Nüwa and the cultural innovations of Fuxi, along with other myths, symbols and legacy of snakes in Chinese culture, how have these stories influenced the world we recognize today?

This is the story of the Longest Night, and the two figures- one feared, one beloved- who came to define it.  Every December 13th, Scandinavia celebrates a saint of light. But long before the candles of Santa Lucia glowed, the longest night of the old winter solstice belonged to Lussi- a powerful and formidable spirit who inspected every home and barn. Her annual visit was met with both reverence...

November has long been known as a dark and liminal month- a time caught between the fading echoes of Samhain and the slow approach of winter. Across Britain and Ireland, this was once a busy period filled with forgotten rituals, blood sacrifices, mysterious legends, and ancient customs that shaped daily life. This video look deeper into the old November festivals, from medieval traditions and ance...

Do you believe in dragons? To some, dragons are not only real, but part of their ancestry.  Meet the dragons of the East- the dragons of Vietnam, to be precise. The dragon of the east is often associated with its importance in Chinese culture; however, it is equally revered in Vietnamese culture, perhaps even to a greater extent. In Vietnamese mythology and folklore, dragons occupy a unique and ch...

Do fairy-human offspring exist? If so, who are they? Do they stand out from the crowd? Would they inherit the traits of their parents? The stories of Heracles, Theseus, and Perseus are widely recognised; however, in addition to the connections between mortals and gods, what can be said about the relationship between fairies and humans? Numerous myths and folklore mention the union of humans and fa...

Spirit helpers come in all shapes and forms. From the witches familiar; shaman’s guide to the spirit realm; the brùnaidh; fairy; hobgoblin; pixie;  domovoi; to the Lares... the list of these extraordinary beings is endless. Throughout history, countless stories have been told about these supernatural assistants. Some depict them as kind and benevolent, always ready to lend a hand. Others, however,...

Meet Catalina, a mysterious yet courageous girl with a knack for the extraordinary. In Dumaguete, Philippines, a strange young girl with mystical abilities defends her homelands against invaders and mystical beasts alike. Who is Catalina? Was she a magician, a fairy, or an angel? The details have faded with time, but the legend of her quiet yet powerful presence and the positive influence she had...

The Northern Lights, known by various names across culture, a cosmic spectacle that has inspired wonder and storytelling for generations. While science unravels the mechanics of the phenomenon, the cultural wonders and myths persist.

【Stories of Three Witches】 Around 4,000 people across Scotland accused of being witches between the 16th and 18th centuries. Stories were told, some more than another. In this episode, we look into the world of the 3 Bessies- remarkable women whose lives were intertwined with magic, tragedy and untold mysteries.  Are there connection between fairies and witches? what are the weather witch like?...

【Underworld Mythology and Folklore】What happens when we die?  Two powerful journeys to the underworld: one from the East (Chinese) and the other from the West (Greek). What are the steps? who are the judges of the dead souls in different stages/ realms of the underworld? And the punishments?  Both myths feature important rivers of the underworld that play a key role before reincarnation. These r...

It has long been a known tale in Britain, that Arthur and his knights fell into an enchanted sleep. The question is: where??? Join us on a quest to explore the myriad locations that claim to be the resting place of Arthur and his valiant companions, patiently awaiting the call to rise in times of dire need.

Thomas the Rhymer/ Thomas Rimor de Ercildoun /Thomas Learmont was born somewhere around 1220. Nickname ‘True Thomas’ for they said that he was not able to tell a lie, no matter how much he wished to do so. Legend talked about his meeting with the Elven queen, and how she granted him the gift of prophecy which later earned him the reputation for making many accurate prophesies.

‘ Ewen Of the Little Head ’ – the headless horseman of the Scottish lore. He is not just a legend, but the spirit of an actual person. Stories of the headless horseman appear in various cultures around the world. Many are familiar with Washington Irving’s tale, With Irving coming from Scottish roots it’s likely that this bit of Celtic mythology passed to him through his father and inspired Irving...

【Pixies and Fairies Lore】 Who are the Pixies/Piskies? are they the same as fairies? As the winds whisper through the ancient trees and the rivers flow with secrets untold, the folklore of the pixies/piskies thrives within the West Country’s cultural heritage. This episode tell the stories of battles, celebrations, and encounters with the merry folk.

Across the British Isles, the mermaid's revenge took various forms, casting a dark shadow upon those who dared cross her path. These tales continue to captivate the imagination, reminding us of the consequences of arrogance, betrayal, and the potent magic that lies within the depths of the sea.

Finkfolk- amphibious sea people who resided in both Hildaland and Finfolkaheem are unique to Orkney and Shetland. Some even make connection to the Cthulhu mythos, linked their likeness to the fishy villagers of Innsmouth

The unicorn is a mythical creature that has captured the imagination of people throughout history. Its origin story is somewhat unclear, but it has appeared in various tales and myths throughout the ages. In this episode, we are going to talk about the link of this mythical creature to the Scottish nation.

【Tooth Fairy Tales and Legends】What do you do when your child lose their first tooth? The Tooth Fairy is a popular figure in Western folklore who is said to visit children when they lose a baby tooth, collect the tooth, and leave a small gift or money in exchange. But Tooth Fairy is not the only one- many cultures around the world have their own unique stories and legends related to children los...