Dive into the weird, spooky and supernatural with Wyrd Wessex, a podcast hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens. These self-proclaimed "wyrdo's" delve into the mysteries, myths, and legends of the world, focusing on the UK, but sometimes straying further afield. Expect to hear chilling ghost stories, explorations of unexplained phenomena, and even dabbles into true crime. Whether you're fascinated by hauntings, folklore, Ufology or cryptids, Wyrd Wessex has something for you. So, if you're ready to unravel the hidden weirdness of the world, "Stay Wyrd" and tune in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dive into the weird, spooky and supernatural with Wyrd Wessex, a podcast hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens. These self-proclaimed "wyrdo's" delve into the mysteries, myths, and legends of the world, focusing on the UK, but sometimes straying further afield. Expect to hear chilling ghost stories, explorations of unexplained phenomena, and even dabbles into true crime. Whether you're fascinated by hauntings, folklore, Ufology or cryptids, Wyrd Wessex has something for you. So, if you're ready to unravel the hidden weirdness of the world, "Stay Wyrd" and tune in!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join Wyrdo's Craig and Andy for this special episode of Wyrd Wessex as they're joined by special guest and storyteller Eileen to delve into the fascinating and frightening world of werewolves and black dogs. This is the unexpected sequel to our first werewolf episode, as the wyrdo's had far too many dark canine tales left to tell!
Highlights include:
How to Become a Werewolf
The Recipe: Craig shares the chilling, and slightly ridiculous, ritual for werewolf transformation from Elliot O'Donnell's book, involving chalk circles, a new moon, and a boiling potion of strange ingredients, including Asafoetida (aka "Stinking Gum") and cat fat.
The Girdle: The importance of the magical girdle is highlighted in the dark tale of Peter Stubb (The Werewolf of Bedburg), who terrorised a region for 25 years before being captured.
Folklore, History, and Tales
The British Beast: Andy explores why the werewolf is less common in England, pointing to King Edward I's 1281 order to exterminate the wolf population, leading to the legend being replaced by spectral hounds like Black Shuck.
Wild Men and Curses: Eileen notes that the Scottish 'werewolf' (werwouf) was often used to describe a wild or feral man. She also shares Jinty's Griddle story—a tale of a woman who fights a wolf, resulting in her children inheriting amber eyes.
The Seven-Year Curse: The strange Irish legends of the Werewolves of Ossory are discussed, where people are cursed to transform into wolves every seven years.
The Nuckelavee Link: Eileen draws a powerful link between the terrifying sea-fiend, the Nuckelavee, and the Highland Clearances, suggesting the beast's noxious breath was an allegory for the toxic kelp fumes.
King John the Werewolf: Andy delves into the historical legend that King John of England himself was a werewolf.
Modern Sightings: The discussion includes modern sightings of the Winter Werewolf near Windsor, showing the legend is still alive.
The Werewolf Cure
Boanthropy: The Wyrdo's discuss Boanthropy, a rare psychological delusion where a person believes they have turned into a cow or ox.
The Exorcism: Craig shares the ludicrously complicated cure for lycanthropy, involving a specific astrological time, chalk circles, and a boiling pot containing a live snake and two live toads in linen bags! The final step requires a wand and a triple command: "Black evil devils from hell be gone!"
To hear more of Eileen's work, check out her podcasts, Scottish Folk and At Home With The Picts. You can also find her on Instagram at @eileenbudds.
Stay Wyrd!
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Written by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens
Edited by Craig Brooks
Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.