I'm looking for some good reference material on the more sinister folklore (ie. the Scot's Kelpie).
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Any suggestions?
Thanks.
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Try A Field Guide to Demons, Fairies, Fallen Angels and Other Subversive Spirits by Mack and Mack. It has a large range of nasties, from varied cultures.
For a start, look for books by Katherine Briggs; she was the best scholar for folklore of the British Isles. Less useful are books by Spence and Keitley. Campbell Myths and Legends of the Highlands may be of use.
For connections to earlier Celtic mythology see James MacKillop The Dictionary of Celtic Mythology OUP
Keep in mind that there's a fair bit of overlap between Scots folkore and Norse folklore, especially in terms of the Orkneys, and the other outer isles--though Kelpie is definitely Scots in origin; the name is cognate with Scottish Gaelic colpach.
You'll also see the phrase ech usige, literally water horse, used for the Kelpie, which has certain traits in common with the pouka/pooka.
For connections to earlier Celtic mythology see James MacKillop The Dictionary of Celtic Mythology OUP
Keep in mind that there's a fair bit of overlap between Scots folkore and Norse folklore, especially in terms of the Orkneys, and the other outer isles--though Kelpie is definitely Scots in origin; the name is cognate with Scottish Gaelic colpach.
You'll also see the phrase ech usige, literally water horse, used for the Kelpie, which has certain traits in common with the pouka/pooka.
Oh, references, sorry. Didn't catch that the first time around. The couple links given are probably your best internet shots.
There's a book I used a couple of years ago to write a paper on fairy tales; it's called "The Witch Must Die" by Sheldon Cashdan, and I remember it being helpful with those sorts of things, although it was written from more of a sociological perspective.
Another one was Bruno Bettelheim's "The Uses of Enchantment." Both Cashdan and Bettelheim are (I think) based in sociology and psychology. If you look up any of these on Amazon, there will be a couple of other recommended titles, too. I found both of these at the time in my local library.
However, these are more focused on Western folktales, if I remember correctly.
There's a book I used a couple of years ago to write a paper on fairy tales; it's called "The Witch Must Die" by Sheldon Cashdan, and I remember it being helpful with those sorts of things, although it was written from more of a sociological perspective.
Another one was Bruno Bettelheim's "The Uses of Enchantment." Both Cashdan and Bettelheim are (I think) based in sociology and psychology. If you look up any of these on Amazon, there will be a couple of other recommended titles, too. I found both of these at the time in my local library.
However, these are more focused on Western folktales, if I remember correctly.
I know this is an old thread but the moment I read the opening piece, The Legend of Stingy Jack popped into my head and I had to share that information. Not only that but I do find the idea of sinister folklore appealing for some reason. Now I'm wondering how to create some new and modern sinister folklore and how to make it stick...You know?
I'll incorporate some of the text and provide a link as well. In short the story tells of how the traditional jack o lantern came to be.
The Legend of Stingy Jack
If you feel that images are equally important. I'd recommend Faeries by Brian Froud & Alan Lee (Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York: ISBN 0-8109-0901-4) 1978. Souvenir Press, Peacock Press/Bantam Books (Toronto, New York, London), Pan Books (London & Sydney).
Delightfully illustrated...
Delightfully illustrated...
Old thread indeed, but filled with great links. I'll throw in a thanks for all the great suggestions. This is a lot of fuel for the fire.
Since it is being resuscitated, I would like to throw in The Encyclopaedia of Things That Never Were by Michael F. Page, Robert Ingpen and R. Ingpen.
I obviously agree with the Grimms. And I love the two books mentioned above. The Encyclopaedia of Things That Never Were is a great reference, and like everything from Alan Lee, Faeries is truly beautiful He also illustrated a book called Castles at about the same time, which is also full of inspiring artwork.
Ooh, really old thread! I'll throw in La Llorona (pronounced kinda like your-OWN-ah), a creepy ghost from Mexico/South America/Southwestern US. She drowns her kids, gets rejected by her boyfriend for whom she murdered said kids, kills herself, and is barred from heaven, so she wanders the earth wailing and crying and kidnapping disobedient children.
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