lore
The Emotional Journey of Listening to No Doubt During Your Saturn Return
Fresh out of a long-term relationship and entering my Saturn return, I've been feeling confused and hopeless. So I revisited "Return of Saturn" to see what I could learn from Gwen Stefani's evolution as an artist and person.
The World's First Author Was a Chill Priestess to an Even Chiller Goddess
Meet Enheduanna, the Mesopotamian princess and religious leader whose poetry celebrated a celestial goddess who could smash mountains and change people's gender.
How Nefertiti, Ancient Egypt's Revolutionary Queen, Became a Global Icon
Now known for her beauty, in ancient times, Nefertiti kickstarted religious reform, presided over a cultural revolution, and may well have ruled Egypt in her own right.
How to Invoke Oshun, the Yoruba Goddess of Sensuality and Prosperity
Oshun is one of the most beloved Yoruba deities. When respected and properly invoked, she holds the keys to love, success, and pregnancy.
The Timeless Myth of Medusa, a Rape Victim Turned Into a Monster
Since Ancient Greece, the snake-haired Gorgon has been a sexualized symbol of women's rage.
The Hoodwitch Is Changing the Face of Modern Witchcraft
We speak to Bri Luna, the bruja behind the wildly successful Hoodwitch account, about showcasing the diverse history of mysticism.
The Young Brujas Reclaiming the Power of Their Ancestors
Long stigmatized by colonizers and the Catholic Church, indigenous forms of spirituality and witchcraft are experiencing a renaissance among Latinx millennials.
Screw Santa Claus and Celebrate Befana, Italy's Kidnapping Christmas Witch
Say "ciao" to the Yuletide legend who rides a broom and brings naughty kids to her cannibal husband for dinner.
The Chill Roman Priests Who Worshipped a Goddess and Castrated Themselves
Rome is frequently hailed by the alt-right as a bastion of masculinity, but the cult of Cybele says otherwise.
The Enduring Allure of Baba Yaga, an Ancient Swamp Witch Who Loves to Eat People
Baba Yaga is a fearsome character from Russian folklore who lives in a hut that walks on chicken legs, and either cannibalizes her visitors or offers them help. In recent years, she's become a sort of aspirational figure on the Internet.
What Happened When Romania's Most Powerful Witch Moved to LA
Mihaela Minca is one of the most powerful—and feared—witches in Eastern Europe. In 2017, she relocated to California to work with some clients. We spoke to her about living out her American dream, which of course included hexing Donald Trump.
How Podcasting Became Hollywood's Latest Obsession
Once the exclusive domain of techies and Trekkies, podcasting has grown into a culture-defining medium, a hot play for investors, and the entertainment industry's newest hunting ground for content and creators.