Christmas traditions vary throughout the world, and not all countries incorporate Santa Claus. In Iceland, their Christmastime characters are a family of trolls (Grýla, Leppalúði, and the Yule Lads), along with a large cat (known as the Yule Cat). While some can bring gifts, there can also be mischief – and the punishment for bad behavior is much more serious than coal left in a stocking. Let’s explore these holiday traditions.
Iceland is a place rich in folklore, with tales of elves, trolls, and other supernatural entities. Elves in particular have made the news over the years, with articles asserting that many Icelanders still believe in these beings. Examples are often given of roadwork being altered to avoid supposed elf homes. I was very curious to learn more about these beliefs, especially their origins in Norse mythology and how they’ve evolved over time. In addition to reading various sources, I had the great pleasure of getting a guided tour of Hafnarfjörður, a town filled with elf lore and sometimes referred to as the elf capital.
In the 19th century, London was terrorized by what some believed to be a supernatural or demonic entity. There were numerous sightings and attacks around the city and even beyond. Although descriptions varied at times, the entity’s ability to jump great distances earned it the name Spring-heeled Jack. Who or what was this monstrous assailant?
Anyone who has seen a Fiji mermaid is not soon to forget it. Unlike the alluring siren imagery we are familiar with, a Fiji mermaid can be a rather disquieting sight. With a mummified and animalistic appearance, these oddities have fascinated people for years. Once thought to be authentic specimens, they are now acknowledged as artificial constructions. They can still be found on display at a variety of institutions, and I was quite pleased to happen upon one in Orlando, Florida.
In the 1970s, the small town of Dover, Massachusetts entered the annals of cryptozoology when multiple sightings of a mysterious creature were reported. The Dover Demon, as it came to be known, had a humanoid form with strange, otherworldly characteristics. Even decades later, a satisfactory explanation has not been reached. Continue reading →
On the longest night of the year, the start of Yule, I enjoyed a unique tour of historic downtown Salem, Massachusetts. My guide had horns upon his head and carried a menacing bundle of sticks. Yes, I followed behind none other than Krampus, the devilish December visitor of Germanic folklore known for terrorizing naughty children. Continue reading →
