Fair Folk Podcast

In this episode, I speak with Veronica Rottman, a somatic practitioner specializing in the female nervous system, about holy well and spring folklore and the ways it resonates with trauma integration and healing. You can sign up for our upcoming collaborative workshop, Sacred Waters: Healing at the Well of Brigid here: https://waking-womb.com/events/2026/1/24/sacred-waters-healing-at-the-well-of-brigid Veronica Rottman's website: https://waking-womb.com/ Veronica Rottman's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wakingwomb Mentioned in the episode: Frau or Mother Holle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frau_Holle Rosaleen Durkin’s Irish sacred wells walking tours: https://visitwicklow.ie/listing/irish-sacred-wells-walking-tours/ Brielle Elise: waking the well: https://www.instagram.com/wakingthewell The well maidens account in the Elucidation: https://d.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/text/elucidation.html (Lines 29-132) A note: birds are associated with the fisher king’s court (and fish) more than other animals, somewhat counter to what I said in the episode. A special thank you to Sylvia Woods, whose tune Forest March is the intro theme to Fair Folk! Image: The goose maid at the well by Arthur Rackham Join my mailing list: https://enthusiastica.substack.com/ Find me on instagram: instagram.com/danica.boyce

Join Abundance Paganism: https://www.danicaboyce.com/abundance-paganism Join the Abundance Paganism mini-course: https://danicaboyce.myflodesk.com/q266txu4bb Marika's summer course, Ancestral Embodiment: https://wildbody.ca/ancestral-body Join my Substack mailing list: https://enthusiastica.substack.com/

In this episode I talk with the incredible Lindsay Mack of Tarot for the Wild Soul Podcast and No Bad Cards on Substack! Sign up for our collaborative workshop Holy Homecoming: Reclaiming Magic in an Age of Illusion on May 25th at 10 am PT, 1 pm ET, 6 pm UK: https://www.tarotforthewildsoul.com/holy-homecoming Lindsay's podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6AXz5dXTFFceckBMve9vNT?si=48c0a83ff9044a52 Lindsay's Substack, No Bad Cards: https://lindsaymack.substack.com/ Danica's Substack: https://enthusiastica.substack.com/ Intro theme to Fair Folk: "Forest March" by Sylvia Woods

In this episode I speak with Scottish storyteller Dougie Mackay about the troubled relationship between humankind and wolves in the British isles, and how we might revive the days when culture was shared with entertainment and joy at the centre. He shares a moving story from Ireland about a peculiar family a man meets while searching for lost cows, and offers a blessing for the revival of the wolf's vital place in our world. Learn more about the upcoming Wonder Club saints course, starting March 5th: https://www.danicaboyce.com/wonder-club Sign up for Cave of Dreams - Feast and Fast workshop, February 23: https://www.houseoflegends.me/cave-of-dreams Learn more about A Song of Oak and Ash retreat, Sept 11-14: https://www.houseoflegends.me/2025-retreat Dougie’s Mailing list: sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory Dougie’s website: storyconnection.org Dougie’s Podcast: Tales for our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/tales-for-our-times/id1691719370 The Hearthfire sessions: https://scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:5916/913:25451/ The Edinburgh Fringe: https://www.edfringe.com/ Dougie’s book, Scottish Tales for Telling: https://dougiemackaystory.bandcamp.com/album/scottish-tales-for-telling

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

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.

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

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

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

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

In this January almanac episode, I share about how English Plough Sunday and Plough Monday rituals dovetail with pagan midwinter worship of Odin to present a quandary as rich today as ever: How do we hold sacred the human capacity to employ technologies that multiply our power, while dancing on the delicate balance between service and domination? How do we bless the hard work of human hands where it meets the life of the world? This episode delves into traditions of chasing out the spirits of Yule, as well as blessing of apple trees, ploughs, and ultimately ploughboys as representatives of the overflow of human passion and physical power. Sign up for UNEARTHED, my course on the roots of imperialism in the Christian Middle Ages: https://rustic-waterfall-641.myflodesk.com Listen to the January Almanac playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2lcgJz369QMIDmN8J4LEAq?si=96bd3fac66c8482f Contact me by email fairfolkcast [at] gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danica.boyce/ Music in this episode: January Man by Lau & Karine Polwart Buy it: https://lau-music.bandcamp.com/track/january-man Apple Tree Wassail by Jon Boden Buy his albums https://hudsonrecords.co.uk/shopfront/jon-boden Ploughboy’s Dream by Janice Burns and Jon Doran Buy it: https://bandcamp.com/download?cart_id=97060025&sig=7770feb4eddf1844063928c397bc5b88&from=checkout Ploughboy’s Glory by Lisa Knapp Buy it: https://lisaknapp.bandcamp.com/track/ploughboys-glory Instrumental track: St. Agnes’ Eve by Carol Wood Buy it: https://music.apple.com/ca/album/st-agnes-eve/130331483?i=130332115 Opening theme: Forest March by Sylvia Woods Buy Sylvia Woods’ music: www.harpcenter.com/category/harp-cds Sources and Resources for this episode: Rune Hjarno Rasmussen’s St Knut / Odin parallels video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l99YoPiPLrg The Nordic Animist Year (book) by Rune Hjarno Rasmussen: https://shop.nordicanimism.com/shop/9-books-and-calendars/9-the-nordic-animist-year/ The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain by Ronald Hutton (book) “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 Lyrics to folk song "Ploughboy’s Glory" http://www.joe-offer.com/folkinfo/songs/362.html Episode Image: by John Bauer from story "The Ring," by Helena Nyblom, 1914 Transcript: This is the January Almanac episode of Fair Folk in which I will be discussing the folklore and pagan roots of January celebrations with an emphasis on nourishing traditions we can bring forward and apply to our modern lives, to help us connect to land and to history in productive and empowering ways. This month I'll be focusing on the new cycle of years changing over the end of the Yule season and our relationship to labour and technology, which was a focus that arose for me while I was researching this January episode. That hasn't arisen for me before, but it definitely is an emphasis of English and Nordic tradition, and it'll explain more as we go ahead. Other themes that arise in January folklore are the continued divination and predictive quality for the year ahead that we've may have already seen in December. Folklore also the supernatural and the feminine visiting from the wilds beyond, because it is still winter and these forces still rule. There's often a theme in January songs especially of weather, bad weather, loneliness, cold and love, longing as metaphorically associated with those sensations of coldness and isolation in the wintertime. And of course, the slow return of the sun is being observed across European folklore, which is what I always focus on.