Witchcraft. Comparisons between the early modern witch trials and contemporary persecutions are useful BUT Even more useful are comparisons with European & US witch persecution during the 19th-20th centuries. There is a continuum of global violence here to be studied.
Tweet your support via to the @sdnpa South Downs National Park. May this racist attack actually have the opposite effect by drawing unprecedented attention to this lovely project which has been targeted www.southdowns.gov.uk/inspiring-wa...
The National Park Authority is deeply saddened and appalled that a walking trail featuring fantastic stories from writers of global heritage, sharing their love for and connection with the South Downs...
Academic author romantic... I for one am saddened by the recent moves to get rid of place of publication. Would much prefer to simply recognise Aldershot, Woodbridge, Basingstoke etc than names of megacorp publishers.
Just working on the folklore of crop circles. Rich pickings. Remember it well - I was digging a Bronze Age circular enclosure near Avebury at the time. Febrile folklore in the making.
Witchcraft. Back from the "Witchcraft and Human Rights: Implementing Resolution 47/8" conference. Speakers from across the globe doing profound work to counter persecution of innocent people. Now pondering how historians of witchcraft could contribute, beyond providing context.
Contemporary witch persecution. Few years ago I worked with Stop Child Witch Accusations on an important ethnographic survey they did on child witches in Togo, across 25 diverse communities. Here's an overview of the results stop-cwa.org/resources/69
Witchcraft history. Giving a keynote speech Friday on: “Comparing historic European witch persecutions with contemporary global manifestations: Can lessons really be learned?" First thing to discuss - all the bad historical takes about the European witch trials. Essential.
Fairies & aliens.The idea that alien encounters *replaced* the fairy realm in folklore is seductive chronologically, & there are obvious parallels in terms of legend & narrative. But alien/UFO belief was born of specific 20thC cultural developments- more related than replacement
Academic memories. Found myself just now fondly remembering the days when meetings had refreshments provided. I used to keep our shared office stocked with left over biscuits. Now we have neither offices nor biscuits ...