Episode 262: Pregnancy Folklore & Superstitions Around The World
About this episode
The episode explores various pregnancy folklore and superstitions from around the world, highlighting cultural beliefs about the supernatural aspects of childbirth.
Welcome to Episode 262: Pregnancy Folklore & Superstitions Around The World! Across history, pregnancy was treated less like a medical condition and more like a supernatural vulnerability. The old beliefs of Appalachia insist that laboring women shouldn’t look outside at night, seek their reflection in a mirror, speak certain names, or even leave clothes hanging outside… because “things” could follow them home after birth. In parts of Eastern Europe, women were considered spiritually “open” after birth. Demons or witches could enter newly opened bodies. Iron and scissors were placed under beds for protection from the evil eye. Jewish postpartum beliefs included hanging amulets near laboring mothers to ward off Lilith from entering through windows at night to steal infants from mothers. Across Scandinavian and Celtic folklore, changelings were of major concern. The fae could steal newborns and replace them with sickly copies. Across the globe, pregnant women were thought to exist in a dangerous liminal state between worlds. Some cultures treated birth as a demonic vulnerability. Others treated it as a profound spiritual power. A woman in labor was believed to stand between worlds…
People in this episode
Hosts: Aly, Nat
Topics covered
- pregnancy folklore
- superstitions
- cultural beliefs
- spiritual vulnerability
- haunted rituals
- liminal states
Keywords
- pregnancy
- folklore
- superstitions
- cultural beliefs
- haunted rituals
- spiritual power
- liminal state
- demons
- witches
- changelings
Sponsors
Firstleaf, Blissy, Goodr
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Appalachia, Eastern Europe, Scandinavian, Celtic
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