Rivers In Time
by Rivers
Myths, folktales, and legends are often passed down orally, some more famous than another. They are rooted in general human experience and have always had important roles in the cultures. I believe every story has its place and deserves to be remembered. This is a sanctuary of the forgotten tales that whisper from the edges of history, a place where lesser-known pantheons, unspoken legends, and the creatures that haunt the forgotten corners of our collective imagination lives. I don't have a professional team, just me, my books and my microphone. However flaw my presentation might be, you would never hear AI voice use here- that's a promise.
Episodes
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The Deer Who Remembered She Was Human | The Curse of Sadhbh
What if the greatest horror of transformation isn't becoming something else, but remembering who you were? In Greek mythology, Circe transformed Odysseus' men into swine. But Homer tells us that their minds remained human. They remembered who they were, and they knew what had happened to them....
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The Strange Medieval Tradition of Heart Burial
For twenty years, Lady Dervorguilla of Galloway carried her husband's heart in an ivory casket. She spoke to it. She slept beside it. When she died, the heart was buried with her. She was not alone. Across medieval and early modern Europe, the dead were sometimes buried in pieces. Hearts sent…
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The Forgotten Ritual of the Funeral Horse: Chinese Burial Traditions
Six hundred horses, buried in perfect rows. A 3,000-year-old ritual still practiced today. And a paper horse burning in a modern funeral. In this episode, we look at the forgotten Chinese tradition of giving the dead a horse. Not as a symbol of wealth, but as a guide and protector for the soul's...
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When Cats Were Burned, Hanged, and Blamed for Treason
A man walks into a palace, claims the English throne, and blames a talking cat. That bizarre story opens a darker door: Europe's centuries-long war on cats. From there, we travel across medieval and early modern Europe. From French bonfires where cats were burned as witches, Belgian towers where...
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The Death of Summer | Forgotten Myths of the Autumn Equinox
In forgotten myths, summer was killed by gods, monsters, and storms. We all know the story of Persephone and Hades, or perhaps even of Inanna and Dumuzi, but what about the other gods and monsters who bring the end of summer? Let's talk about the forgotten myths of the Northern Isles and the…
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The Sorcerer Who Vanished from the Tower of London
Is magic real? The Elizabethans certainly thought so. In a world lit by candlelight and shadowed by mystery, belief in witches, spells, and omens was as real as the rising sun. From the royal court to the village square, magic and superstition shaped everyday life, guiding decisions, inspiring...
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The Dark Truth of Scotland's Holy Isle
Deep in Loch Maree, a tiny island hides a tree studded with coins, a well that forgot how to heal, and graves of lovers who trusted fate too far. Isle Maree is where Scottish legends whisper of magic, saintly miracles, and a queen’s secret wish. But whose power still lingers? In this episode, we...
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A Magical Journey | May Day Celebrations in Britain
May Day celebrations in Britain are full of colours, from the crowning of the May Queen, Jack in the Green parade, Morris dancing, and Bealtaine fire festival to the collecting of May dew. The list goes on. In this episode, we take a look at some of the celebrations taking place in England,...
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When Snakes Ruled the World | Serpent Myths of Ancient China
In the ancient world where serpents ruled supreme—a time when snakes were not just creatures, but creators, protectors, and symbols of life itself. From the primordial chaos of Pangu to the cosmic repairs of Nüwa and the cultural innovations of Fuxi, along with other myths, symbols and legacy of...
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December 13: The Night a Winter Spirit Became a Saint
This is the story of the Longest Night, and the two figures- one feared, one beloved- who came to define it. Every December 13th, Scandinavia celebrates a saint of light. But long before the candles of Santa Lucia glowed, the longest night of the old winter solstice belonged to Lussi- a powerful...
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Dark November: Forgotten Rituals, Blood Lore & Ancient Winter Legends
November has long been known as a dark and liminal month- a time caught between the fading echoes of Samhain and the slow approach of winter. Across Britain and Ireland, this was once a busy period filled with forgotten rituals, blood sacrifices, mysterious legends, and ancient customs that…
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The Dragon That Shaped a Nation| Vietnam's Mythical Origins
Do you believe in dragons? To some, dragons are not only real, but part of their ancestry. Meet the dragons of the East- the dragons of Vietnam, to be precise. The dragon of the east is often associated with its importance in Chinese culture; however, it is equally revered in Vietnamese culture,...
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Fairy-Human Offspring:【Children of Two Worlds】
Do fairy-human offspring exist? If so, who are they? Do they stand out from the crowd? Would they inherit the traits of their parents? The stories of Heracles, Theseus, and Perseus are widely recognised; however, in addition to the connections between mortals and gods, what can be said about the...
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Supernatural Assistants: Tales of Devotion and Betrayal
Spirit helpers come in all shapes and forms. From the witches familiar; shaman’s guide to the spirit realm; the brùnaidh; fairy; hobgoblin; pixie; domovoi; to the Lares... the list of these extraordinary beings is endless. Throughout history, countless stories have been told about these...
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Catalina- The Mysterious Guardian
Meet Catalina, a mysterious yet courageous girl with a knack for the extraordinary. In Dumaguete, Philippines, a strange young girl with mystical abilities defends her homelands against invaders and mystical beasts alike. Who is Catalina? Was she a magician, a fairy, or an angel? The details have...
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Chasing Aurora- Myths and Legends of The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, known by various names across culture, a cosmic spectacle that has inspired wonder and storytelling for generations. While science unravels the mechanics of the phenomenon, the cultural wonders and myths persist.
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Scotland's Forgotten Witches: Fairies, Weather Magic & Prophecy
【Stories of Three Witches】 Around 4,000 people across Scotland accused of being witches between the 16th and 18th centuries. Stories were told, some more than another. This episode is the story of three Scottish women, all named Bessie whose lives were intertwined with magic, tragedy and untold...
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Before You're Reborn: The One Drink Every Soul Must Take
【Underworld Mythology and Folklore】What happens when we die? Two powerful journeys to the underworld: one from the East (Chinese) and the other from the West (Greek). What are the steps? who are the judges of the dead souls in different stages/ realms of the underworld? And the punishments? Both...
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Buried Hope- King Arthur's Promise
It has long been a known tale in Britain, that Arthur and his knights fell into an enchanted sleep. The question is: where??? Join us on a quest to explore the myriad locations that claim to be the resting place of Arthur and his valiant companions, patiently awaiting the call to rise in times of...
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Thomas the Rhymer- The Man Who Went With The Elven Queen
Thomas the Rhymer/ Thomas Rimor de Ercildoun /Thomas Learmont was born somewhere around 1220. Nickname ‘True Thomas’ for they said that he was not able to tell a lie, no matter how much he wished to do so. Legend talked about his meeting with the Elven queen, and how she granted him the gift of...
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The True Story That Inspired the Headless Horseman
‘Ewen Of the Little Head’ – the headless horseman of the Scottish lore. He is not just a legend, but the spirit of an actual person. Stories of the headless horseman appear in various cultures around the world. Many are familiar with Washington Irving’s tale, With Irving coming from Scottish…
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Pixies/Piskies: 【Guardians and Mischievous Companions】
【Pixies and Fairies Lore】 Who are the Pixies/Piskies? are they the same as fairies? As the winds whisper through the ancient trees and the rivers flow with secrets untold, the folklore of the pixies/piskies thrives within the West Country’s cultural heritage. This episode tell the stories of...
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Tales of the Mermaid's Curse
Is mermaid real? What happens when a mermaid's song becomes a curse? Across Britain, old folklore tells of mysterious mermaids who lived beside rivers, harbours, and coastal waters. Beautiful, enchanting, and sometimes terrifying, these creatures were believed to possess a power that could bring...
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The Magical Finkfolk of Orkney
Finkfolk- amphibious sea people who resided in both Hildaland and Finfolkaheem are unique to Orkney and Shetland. Some even make connection to the Cthulhu mythos, linked their likeness to the fishy villagers of Innsmouth
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Unicorn- The Untamed National Beast of Scotland
The unicorn is a mythical creature that has captured the imagination of people throughout history. Its origin story is somewhat unclear, but it has appeared in various tales and myths throughout the ages. In this episode, we are going to talk about the link of this mythical creature to the…
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Not Just the Tooth Fairy: Tooth-Loss Traditions Around the World
【Tooth Fairy Tales and Legends】What do you do when your child lose their first tooth? The Tooth Fairy is a popular figure in Western folklore who is said to visit children when they lose a baby tooth, collect the tooth, and leave a small gift or money in exchange. But Tooth Fairy is not the only...
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Hares and Rabbits in Lunar Myths
The association of hares, rabbit with moon deities leapt through myths, legends, and folk tales all around the world. Many cultures, when looking at the moon, see the outline of a hare or rabbit, who lives on the moon. A great example being the mid-autumn festival. They are often seen as an...
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Witches of Mull
Isle of Mull- a magical land full of stories of giants, witches, fairies and many more…. Tobermory, the capital of Mull tells a story of a Spanish romance, and the group of witches who helped the people to defend the land. Luideag, Corrag Nighin Jain Bhain, Cas a'mhogain Riabhaich Gleancomham,...
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Michael Scott- The Forgotten Wizard
Michael Scott was an important figure at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor. His works were valued around Europe in the 13th century. Scott’s extensive esoteric knowledge earned him a reputation of ‘Wizard’.
About this show
Myths, folktales, and legends are often passed down orally, some more famous than another. They are rooted in general human experience and have always had important roles in the cultures. I believe every story has its place and deserves to be remembered. This is a sanctuary of the forgotten tales that whisper from the edges of history, a place where lesser-known pantheons, unspoken legends, and the creatures that haunt the forgotten corners of our collective imagination lives. I don't have a professional team, just me, my books and my microphone. However flaw my presentation might be, you would never hear AI voice use here- that's a promise.
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