Let's Talk Spooky
Obsessed with ghost stories, eerie folklore, and real-life paranormal encounters? Join us each week as we uncover chilling legends, haunted histories, and spine-tingling mysteries. From ancient curses to modern hauntings and reincarnation, this podcast is your gateway to the dark and unexplained.
If you crave supernatural stories and strange tales that stay with you... press play and Let’s Talk Spooky!
Let's Talk Spooky
05: Roots and Rituals
In this episode, we delve into the eerie world of garden folklore, where healing herbs and haunted hedgerows blur the lines between magic and myth. You'll hear the tragic true tale of Agnes Sampson, explore the deadly cry of the mandrake root, and wander into the modern urban legend of the Witch Garden on Widdershins Lane. We’ll also uncover ancient traditions such as moon planting, spirit gardens, and poison plots.
Topics Covered:
- Agnes Sampson and the garden that condemned her
- The Mandrake's Scream: folklore and real history
- Witch’s gardens: belladonna, henbane, and shadowy traditions
- Modern legend: The Witch Garden on Widdershins Lane
Further Reading & Resources:
- Agnes Sampson – North Berwick Witch Trials
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/The-North-Berwick-Witch-Trials/ - Mandrake Folklore & Medicinal History
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4658872/ - The Poison Garden at Alnwick Castle
https://www.alnwickgarden.com/the-garden/poison-garden/ - Lunar Gardening Guide (Folkloric Perspective)
https://www.farmersalmanac.com/gardening-by-the-moon - Victorian Floriography and Symbolism of Flowers
https://www.languageofflowers.com/ - Witch Gardens in History and Myth
https://www.learnreligions.com/herbs-of-the-witchs-garden-2562107 - https://www.historyextra.com/period/stuart/pendle-witches-witch-trials-what-happened/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
