Dr Icy Sedgwick

A cluster of irises, with pale purple petals, and vivid yellow stamens.

Greek myths attribute the iris to Hera, along with the pomegranate, poppy, dittany, and white lily. In 1879, Miss Carruthers noted that all these flowers were later transferred to the Virgin Mary.

In Mrs Burke's 1867 Illustrated Language of Flowers dictionary, the iris meant 'message'!

Elizabeth Hopkinson- Massaged to Death by Mermaids | Centre for Folklore Merfolk of the World and LGBTQIA+ Representation.

Our next online talk for @folkloretodmorden.bsky.social is at 7 pm GMT on 4 March, and it's all about merfolk legends from around the world, and how they show representation of different LGBTQIA+ identities! Buy tickets here: www.folkloremythmagic.com/event-detail...

I've got visions of the girl in fake blood doing it and then having Bloody Mary wander in to say hi.

There are some skipping and clapping games in the episode, but it depended on what people reported ahead of the episode.

It certainly sounds like one!

I've been looking at children’s folklore on Fabulous Folklore in February, and for our final episode, we're going to focus on games. So what did my listeners play as children, both in the schoolyard and at home?

pod.co/fabulous-fol...

Excellent!!!

I hope you enjoyed the episode!

In this episode of Fabulous Folklore Presents, I got to talk to the absolutely brilliant Najah Lightfoot about her new book, The Spiritual Magic of Dolls, haunted dolls, how to know if you're a 'doll person', and how to start collecting dolls!

youtu.be/8WmlZc4Lk2o

I have so many questions about Quickytown!

This week on Fabulous Folklore, we're exploring the 'Beliefs' category of children’s folklore. See if you recognise the beliefs people heard and spread in their childhood, including supernatural beings like witches, love divination, and superstitions!

pod.co/fabulous-fol...

A heart-shaped padlock hanging from a wire.

I'm doing a talk about love magic at Newcastle Castle on 20 February at 6 pm! We'll explore how people used plants to see visions of future partners, worked magic with ordinary household items, and the work of two Newcastle-based cunning men!

Https://www.newcastlecastle.co.uk/events-activities

I hope the people who signed up to get emails from me after reading my Necromancer's Apprentice books are pleased to hear that this month's story marks a return to the Underground City AND it has a grey lady ghost in it.

*Announcement*
I have been invited to speak at an online meeting of Cartoonists Northwest (USA) on the 21st February 2026 at 8pm GMT!

You are welcome to join and hear me speak about my art and how I flog dead horses

Sign up here!

www.eventbrite.com/e/cartoonist...

I think people are just looking for an excuse to have a giggle for once.

A wave crashes against a cliff, with a small white building perching above. Sand dunes lie in the foreground, with grey clouds hanging overhead.

The North Sea crashing against the cliffs at Seaton Sluice, in Northumberland. The name 'Seaton' essentially means 'settlement by the sea', and comes from Old English. It gained the name 'Seaton Sluice' after Sir Ralph Delaval had a pier and sluice gates added to the harbour in the 17th century.

Nor I! It's creepy.

Even the fossils can't stand the 21st century!

You know M.R. James would have had a field day with this.

Urgh. Whoever said school was the best days of your life?!

A heart-shaped padlock hanging from a wire.

I'm doing a talk about love magic at Newcastle Castle on 20 February at 6 pm! We'll explore how people used plants to see visions of future partners, worked magic with ordinary household items, and the work of two Newcastle-based cunning men!

Https://www.newcastlecastle.co.uk/events-activities

Some friend!

An image of a heart-shaped padlock hanging from a wire.

Just a reminder I'm doing a talk about love magic at Newcastle Castle on Friday 20 February at 6 pm! Using plants, household magic, and even the work of cunning men! www.newcastlecastle.co.uk/events-activ...

YouTube video by Romancing the Gothic Ghost-Writing Workshop with Dr Icy Sedgwick

Did you catch this weekend's fab writing workshop with Dr Icy Sedgwick?

If not, you can catch it here.

Great folklore explorations and great story prompts. Don't miss it!

youtu.be/YaAbyQFdvpE

A painting depicts a woman in Roman clothing holding a child up to the wall of a tomb.

I've just posted the February paid episode of Fabulous Folklore, exploring the Roman festival of Parentalia, offering devotion to the family dead! It's on Substack and Patreon... open.substack.com/pub/fabulous...

To win a copy of Bring Me Love by our pal @icysedgwick.bsky.social as heard on today's Valentine Magic special, follow us both then comment on this post with your favourite romantic gesture from across history, mythology or folklore! 🖤

#valentinesday #folklore #bringmelove #lovemagic #competition

Urban legends spread quickly, especially among children. Explore some examples reported by listeners of Fabulous Folklore, including talk of Bloody Mary! pod.co/fabulous-fol...

Happy Valentine's Day! As a gift, we have TWO new eps for you to enjoy! 🖤

First we're chatting with Russ Williams about the historic Welsh county of #Caernarvonshire!

Then Eleanor has interviewed @icysedgwick.bsky.social for our Valentine's Magic episode, including about her book Bring Me Love!

Not a single thing we were told about #COVID turned out to be correct. A long thread 🧵

New episode via link in bio!
Author & podcaster @icysedgwick.bsky.social joins me to talk about her new book Bring Me Love — all about love magic, divination, & the rituals people used to find (or keep) love.
We journey from rosemary‑in‑your‑shoes to egg‑white fortune telling

#Folklore #LoveMagic