The Chinese Lunar New Year begins during the New Moon on January 29th. It is both the beginning of the new year based on the lunar calendar and the celebration of the arrival of Spring. The Chinese Zodiac is a 12-year cycle with each year being a different element and animal. There are 12 animals …
Winter begins on December 20 during the Winter Solstice when the North Pole is tilted the farthest from the Sun. This will be the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. In many ancient cultures, the winter solstice symbolized the “rebirth of the Sun” as days began to lengthen Siberian …
Wolfsbane was used as protection against werewolves and vampires In European folklore, wolfsbane was believed to protect against werewolves and vampires. Others believed that touching wolfsbane on a full moon could cause shape-shifting. Historically, wolfsbane was used in small doses to treat patients who had delusions of being a wolf. It was also said to …
In American folklore, women accused of witchcraft were believed to have black cats as their familiars, offering companionship and protection In the United States, especially around Halloween, black cats are often linked to witchcraft and spooky superstitions that date back to Puritan times. The association with witchcraft is an old European belief brought to America, …
The lilac-breasted roller, or kambu in Swahili, is a colorful bird found in Eastern and Southern Africa. It has around eight colors: white, black, green, yellow, reddish-brown, dark blue, turquoise, and lilac. In some African folklore, the Lilac-breasted roller is considered a symbol of peace It is known as Kenya’s national bird because of its …