Thursday 22 December 2016

FOLKLORE FLASHBACK #19 - In Search of Santa Part II



This week on Folklore Flashback we continue our festive investigations of the history and mystery of Santa Claus! And so, here are Parts III and IV of a truly epic podcast series revealing everything you need to know about the man with the bag! 



In the next leg of our epic investigation of the history and mystery of Santa Claus, we examine the development of his image through 19th century America, his appearances in Victorian England, and how he came to inhabit grottoes in our stores come December time! 

DIRECT DOWNLOAD -  In Search of Santa Part III 



In the final chapter of this epic festive investigation, Mr Jim Moon explores the history of the British Father Christmas, goes on the trail of the German Weihnachtsmann, and perhaps finally gets to the bottom of where Santa Claus really comes from!

HYPNOGORIA 26 – In Search of Santa Part IV
DIRECT DOWNLOAD -  In Search of Santa Part IV

Finally, here is a gallery showing the images mentioned in the shows above, depicting Santa Claus through the ages -

http://hypnogoria.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/in-search-of-santa-gallery.html

Tuesday 20 December 2016

FROM THE GREAT LIBRARY OF DREAMS 28 - Do You Hear What I Hear



It's the third and final night of our ghost stories from the Great Library of Dreams, and it is also a very special occasion too - for this is our 300th show! And to mark this milestone in podcasting, Mr Jim Moon is settling by the fireside to recount the strange and ghostly events that were to befall him one Christmas some ten years ago...  




DIRECT DOWNLOAD - Do You Hear What I Hear

Find all the podcasts in the HYPNOGORIA family here -

HYPNOGORIA HOME DOMAIN - Full archive, RSS feed and other useful links

HYPNOGORIA on iTunes

HYPNOGORIA on STITCHER

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Sunday 18 December 2016

FROM THE GREAT LIBRARY OF DREAMS 27 - The Ash-Tree


In the second of our readings of ghost stories from Christmas from the Great Library of Dreams, Mr Jim Moon presents a classic tale from the great MR James - The Ash-Tree




DIRECT DOWNLOAD - The Ash-Tree

Find all the podcasts in the HYPNOGORIA family here -

HYPNOGORIA HOME DOMAIN - Full archive, RSS feed and other useful links

HYPNOGORIA on iTunes

HYPNOGORIA on STITCHER

CLICK HERE FOR DETAIL


Friday 16 December 2016

FROM THE GREAT LIBRARY OF DREAMS 26 - Bone to his Bone


Yuletide is almost here, and it's time to draw round the cosy fireside of the Great Library of Dreams for some ghost stories for Christmas. We begin this year with Mr Jim Moon narrating a tale by a friend and colleague of the great MR James, the Reverend EG Swain. And appropriately enough this festive little chiller is about a haunted library! 




DIRECT DOWNLOAD - Bone to his Bone

Find all the podcasts in the HYPNOGORIA family here -

HYPNOGORIA HOME DOMAIN - Full archive, RSS feed and other useful links

HYPNOGORIA on iTunes

HYPNOGORIA on STITCHER

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS


Thursday 15 December 2016

FOLKLORE FLASHBACK #18 - In Search of Santa Part I


This week in Folklore Flashback we are revisiting my epic investigation from last Christmas - the curious case of the man with the bag! Known variously as Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, or Father Christmas, in this podcast series we attempt to uncover the long and strange history of a fellow who's said to be the embodiment of the festive spirit itself! 


Travelling down the centuries in a borrowed magic sleigh, we bust some myths about the Bearded Gentleman himself, before uncovering the roles played by the poem A Visit From St. Nicholas, the writings of Mr Washington Irving, and the drawings of Mr Thomas Nast in the development of legend of Santa Claus.




In the second part of our very special Christmas series, we further investigate the origins of Santa Claus, exploring the life and legend of St. Nicholas, his role in the tradition of Christmas presents, the assorted magical gift bringers he transmuted into in Europe, bring light to the dark rumours of Krampus and satanic Santas, and examine the forgotten alternative American Santa Belsnickel 

HYPNOGORIA 24 – In Search of Santa Part II
DIRECT DOWNLOAD -  In Search of Santa Part II 

Finally, here is a gallery showing the images mentioned in the shows above, depicting Santa Claus through the ages -

http://hypnogoria.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/in-search-of-santa-gallery.html

Tuesday 13 December 2016

HYPNOGORIA 46 - The Power of Christmas Unleashed


In a special surprise episode, Mr Jim Moon goes rooting through the dusty old audio archives of the Great Library of Dreams to learn of the strange but very festive adventures enjoyed by Batman and the Six Million Dollar Man courtesy of Power Records in the 1970s. 

>
DIRECT DOWNLOAD - The Power of Christmas Unleashed

Find all the podcasts in the HYPNOGORIA family here -

HYPNOGORIA HOME DOMAIN - Full archive, RSS feed and other useful links

HYPNOGORIA on iTunes

HYPNOGORIA on STITCHER

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Saturday 10 December 2016

HYPNOGORIA 45 - The Box of Delights - A Christmas Commentary Part II


In the second of two special episodes, Mr Jim Moon revisits a Christmas classic - the much loved BBC adaptation of The Box of Delights by John Masefield. However this year, Mr Jim has invited all you at home along to join him in his annual rewatch with a full commentary! This episode covers Parts 4, 5 and 6. Now let us go swift and continue our adventures! 




DIRECT DOWNLOAD - The Box of Delights - A Christmas Commentary Part II 

Find all the podcasts in the HYPNOGORIA family here -

HYPNOGORIA HOME DOMAIN - Full archive, RSS feed and other useful links

HYPNOGORIA on iTunes

HYPNOGORIA on STITCHER

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Thursday 8 December 2016

HYPNOGORIA 44 - The Box of Delights - A Christmas Commentary Part I




In the first of two special episodes, Mr Jim Moon revisits a Christmas classic - the much loved BBC adaptation of The Box of Delights by John Masefield. However this year, Mr Jim is inviting all you at home along to join him in his annual rewatch with a full commentary! This episode covers Parts 1, 2 and 3. However we shall not leave you little nor yet dark for long as the second half will be along in a couple days time!  




DIRECT DOWNLOAD - The Box of Delights - A Christmas Commentary Part I 

Find all the podcasts in the HYPNOGORIA family here -

HYPNOGORIA HOME DOMAIN - Full archive, RSS feed and other useful links

HYPNOGORIA on iTunes

HYPNOGORIA on STITCHER

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Saturday 3 December 2016

MICROGORIA 39 - Gef the Talking Mongoose


In the last episode before the Christmas specials begin, Mr Jim Moon is in a somewhat festive mood as he investigates one of the strangest haunting ever... In this episode we take a trip back to the 1930s and voyage to a remote farm on the Isle of Man to meet Gef the Talking Mongoose! 



DIRECT DOWNLOAD - MICROGORIA 39 - Gef the Talking Mongoose

Find all the podcasts in the HYPNOGORIA family here -

HYPNOGORIA HOME DOMAIN - Full archive, RSS feed and other useful links

HYPNOGORIA on iTunes

HYPNOGORIA on STITCHER

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Friday 2 December 2016

FOLKLORE ON FRIDAY - Species of Spectres VII


Welcome once again dear readers to yet another exploration of all things ghostly and folkloric. This week we are still considering the possible classifications we can make under the heading of Animal Apparitions. We already discovered the spectral equivalents of man's best friends, the hound and horse, and last week investigated the strange fluttering of avian apparitions. So then it's only right and proper that we first sketch in a subcategory for Feline Phantoms, for as cats have enjoyed our company for many centuries it is unsurprising there are a fair few folk tales relating to metaphysical moggies.

Now to keep us on track and focussed on ghostly folklore, I'm not going to be making such mention of the reports of panthers and pumas roaming the British Isles. For these Alien Big Cats (or ABCs for short) are a relatively recent phenomena, and are perhaps more properly considered as belonging in the field of cryptozoology rather than folklore. Now that is not to say that folklore cannot be modern or recent, and while some writers and researchers have mooted the theory that ABCs are possibly a modern mutation of traditional tales of phantom black dogs, I tend to consider them to me more likely real creatures than phantom animals. Aside from tricks of perspective causing misidentification of regular felines, I think it is telling the ABC phenomena begins after a law was passed in the early 1970s that regulated the ownership of exotic animals, and several reports have been uncovered of big cat owners releasing their former pets into the wild as a result.

However even leaving ABCs aside, there is still a strong enough tradition of ghostly cats to justify a Feline Phantoms category. However while spectral hounds tend follow the same pattern, and tales feathered phantoms can be classified into distinct sub-groups, accounts of ghostly moggies seem to prove that even when they are ethereal or ectoplasmic, cats will still be cats i.e. independent to the last, always doing their own thing, and generally defying any rules we try and impose on them!

Naturally several tales of ghost cats would appear to be accounts of deceased pets returning. For example, at a house in Birtley, County Durham, a phantom Persian cat has been spotted on several occasions, and research has revealed that such a cat was the pet of a former owner. While at the Market Cross pub in Swaffham, Norfolk, a phantom cat is frequently mistaken for a real moggy. It is speculated that possibly this feline phantom was the pet of one of the pub’s other ghosts, one of the spectral old fellows who are sometimes seen sat drinking and smoking by the fire.

Actually it would appear that pubs are something of a favourite haunt of spectral cats. In Bedford, London, the Square Inn (formerly known as The Bull-nosed Bat) there have been many sightings of a phantom cat. While at The Beehive in Great Waltham, a ghostly grey cat is often seen disappearing through walls. This would appear to be something of a favourite trick with feline phantoms, as in the Gatehouse Restaurant, in Battle, Sussex, the ghost of a former house cat floats about and allegedly is often seen disappearing through a wall. At the Old Talbot public house in Worcester, a ghostly cat has been known to brush up against people, only to disappear as soon as it  has gained their attention. And at Sower Carr Lane, in Hambleton, another spectral cat does much the same trick, rubbing against the legs of walkers yet remaining invisible.

At Ye Olde Starre Inne in York two phantom black cats are often seen, and seem to delight in spooking the dogs of any patrons. It is said they are the spectres of two cats that were bricked up in a pillar between the front door and the bar. While this may sound terribly macabre and cruel, it is a historical fact that many dead cats have been found walled up in old buildings. The theory is that these animals were a kind of sacrifice or protective charm carried out when these places were built, and this practice is suspected to be the origin of several ghostly moggies. For example, the black cat that haunts the bridge over the River Coquet, in Rothbury, Northumberland may well have been such a sacrifice made when the bridge was built.

In a tale of a haunting in the late 19th century which took place at Lower Seedly Road, Manchester, part of the ghostly manifestations was the sound of a cat crying, and later the spectre of a headless cat appeared. Quite how it cried without a head remains a mystery. However being missing bodily appendages does not appear to overly trouble feline phantoms, for in 1675 the house of a Mr Edward Pitts in Puddledock, London suffered a poltergeist infestation, and one of the phantoms reported was a legless cat floating through the house. Of course cats famously never abide with convention, as demonstrated by the phantom puss that haunts Balbriggan, County Dublin who appears sporting a striking shade of green.

Surprisingly given that traditional association with witches, there don't seem to be very many ghostly cats linked with witchcraft. However there are a couple who appear to belong distinctly to the dark side. Firstly there's tales of a seemingly evil black cat that manifested in a room at Powerham Castle and attacked a guest. But perhaps the most famous ghostly moggy of all also enjoys a highly sinister reputation. Montpelier Hill in County Dublin, Ireland was the home of the Irish Hellfire Club where much whiskey was drunk and allegedly orgies, debauchery and evocations of Satan took place. The club's mascot was a large black cat who allegedly took the place of Satan in their gatherings. It was also said they had burnt a cat alive and committed several murders at their gatherings.

At first they met in a ruined hunting lodge atop the hill, and later in a nearby Victorian mansion, the Killakee house. In 1968 when renovations were being done on the now crumbling house, workmen began reporting ghostly manifestations, and soon several folks had seen an evil looking black cat. One of these was the painter Tom Massey who was left badly shaken after an encounter with the snarling brute, which he described as having burning eyes - and he would later paint the beast as seen below. In 1970, further work at the house uncovered a shock secret, a small skeleton was buried beneath the kitchen floor, and what's more with the bones was a brass statue of  a demon. This macabre discovery seemingly proved the old tales that the Hellfire Club had once beaten a deformed boy to death. However there's still tales of ghostly activity in the area, and the malevolent spectral cat is still allegedly seen at the house and prowling Monpelier Hill...

Well folks, that brings us to the end of Species of Spectres for this year - over the next few weeks we'll be shifting gear into a more festive mode and looking at some Yuletide folklore...


Thursday 1 December 2016

FOLKLORE FLASHBACK #17 When the Red Red Robin....


Well dear friends, currently it would appear that certain waterfowls appear to be ballooning and elderly gentlemen are reporting their headgear filling up with loose change. This can only mean one thing - Christmas is coming once again!  And to get you in the come for the coming festivities, here's a little series I wrote exploring the folklore behind one of the great icons of Yuletide, the humble robin redbreast! 

Part 1 - In which we examine superstitions surrounding the robin redbreast
http://hypnogoria.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/folklore-on-friday-who-killed-cock-robin.html

Part 2 - The origin of these supserstitions and the robins role in Babes in the Woods
http://hypnogoria.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/folklore-on-fridays-robin-in-woods.html



Part 3 - the folklore behind Babes in the Woods
http://hypnogoria.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/folklore-on-friday-babes-in-woods.html

Part 4 - The robin and his associations with Christmas
http://hypnogoria.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/microgoria-22-christmas-and-robin.html

Furthermore, if all of that looks like an awful lot of reading, last Christmas I created an audio version, adapting this little series into a podcast, which you can find here -

http://hypnogoria.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/microgoria-22-christmas-and-robin.html