Folk Magic of the Shetland Isles with Maria Blyth

The Shetland Isles, located between Scotland and Norway, are a subarctic  archipelago legendarily populated by mythical creatures such as selkies  (seal folk), nyuggels (water horses) and trows (land spirits/fairies).  Ownership of Shetland was transferred from Norway to Scotland in the  15th century, yet the islands' Scandinavian roots shine on in the  present day. We see these close bonds reflected in the similarities  between the folk magic of Shetland and the trolldom of the Nordic  countries.  

"Folk Magic of the Shetland Isles" shall explore traditional folk magic  practices of Shetland within their historical, religious and  geographical contexts. From the divination techniques of spaewives to  the common fisherman's prayers to Óðinn, this text is borne of the  fascinating intersection of Celtic and Norse cultures which makes  Shetland such a unique crucible of magical practice.