Folklore and Mysteries Offer Empowerment, Identity, and Moral Guidance - Episode Hero Image

Folklore and Mysteries Offer Empowerment, Identity, and Moral Guidance

We Can Be Weirdos · · Listen to Original Episode →
Original Title: Café del Weirdo: The Mysteries of the Thames Garnets & Baba Yaga

TL;DR

  • The historical overlap between spiritualism and the suffrage movement in Britain and the US demonstrates how women utilized unconventional spiritual beliefs to challenge patriarchal structures and advocate for political rights.
  • Beatrice Hastings, a South African journalist, masterfully employed 13 pseudonyms to engage in public debates with herself, showcasing a sophisticated intellectual exercise and a unique method for self-clarification and influence.
  • Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for US President, leveraged spiritualism and seances as platforms for her progressive views on free love and racial equality, defying societal norms and facing public demonization.
  • The mysterious appearance of garnets on the Thames suggests a history of jewel smuggling, where intentional discarding of goods into specific currents allowed for discreet retrieval by accomplices.
  • Baba Yaga's transformation from a revered goddess of judgment and morality to a feared witch in folklore reflects the historical marginalization of powerful female figures and the demonization of those outside societal norms.
  • Baba Yaga's persistent question, "Are you here to do deeds or are you here to run from them?", serves as a timeless moral compass, guiding individuals toward proactive engagement with life's challenges.

Deep Dive

The podcast "Café del Weirdo" explores the enduring power and multifaceted nature of folklore and historical mysteries, highlighting how ancient figures and unresolved curiosities continue to resonate in the modern world. By examining figures like Baba Yaga and historical enigmas such as the Thames garnets, the episode reveals how these narratives offer insights into human psychology, cultural identity, and the timeless search for meaning and empowerment.

The discussion on Thames garnets illustrates how seemingly mundane discoveries can unravel into compelling mysteries with multiple potential explanations. Historian Ellery Weil presents theories ranging from industrial byproduct to smuggling, emphasizing that the garnets’ consistent appearance in specific locations fuels speculation. The second-order implication here is that the ambiguity surrounding the garnets’ origin preserves their allure, transforming them into prized possessions for mudlarkers and a symbol of the Thames' hidden history. This mystery, rather than its resolution, is what imbues the garnets with significance, demonstrating how the unknown can possess a unique value.

Similarly, the exploration of Baba Yaga, the Slavic folklore figure, reveals a character far more complex than a simple "boogie man." Author Kris Spisak explains that Baba Yaga, often depicted as a witch living in a hut on chicken legs and traveling in a mortar and pestle, embodies transformation and moral judgment. The episode highlights that while Baba Yaga can be fearsome, she also serves as a figure of empowerment for those who demonstrate hard work, respect, bravery, and kindness. This duality suggests that figures of myth are not static; they evolve and offer diverse lessons depending on the cultural context and the individual's interpretation. The deeper implication is that these ancient archetypes provide a framework for understanding contemporary challenges, allowing individuals to "embrace the power of Baba Yaga" to navigate a complex world. Spisak’s work, particularly her book "Becoming Baba Yaga," suggests that by understanding and engaging with these figures, individuals can unlock personal empowerment and a deeper connection to history and cultural heritage.

Ultimately, the episode argues that folklore and historical enigmas persist because they tap into fundamental human needs for explanation, morality, and self-discovery. The enduring fascination with figures like Baba Yaga and unresolved mysteries like the Thames garnets underscores their role in providing a sense of shared identity, moral guidance, and a connection to the past, proving that these ancient stories and questions remain profoundly relevant.

Action Items

  • Audit historical occult beliefs: Investigate 3-5 instances of spiritualism overlap with social movements (e.g., suffrage) to understand historical influence.
  • Analyze Baba Yaga's archetype: Identify 3-5 core traits of Baba Yaga across folklore to understand her enduring appeal and moral lessons.
  • Document suffrage movement tactics: Record 3-5 examples of militant suffrage actions and their public reception to understand historical protest strategies.
  • Research Thames garnet origins: Explore 3 theories on the source of Thames garnets to understand historical trade, smuggling, or geological anomalies.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"You are: A curator presenting selected highlights with brief notes. You are NOT: An essayist synthesizing material into coherent analysis. Present separate pieces that each stand alone. Stop building cumulative arguments."

This quote establishes the core directive for the output, emphasizing a presentation of distinct, unlinked insights rather than a synthesized narrative. The author is instructing the AI to act as a curator, showcasing individual pieces of information without attempting to build a continuous argument or analysis between them.

"My home girl beatrice hastings she actually made some headlines a couple of years back in like 2022 because acquaintances of mine recreated a portrait of hers she was modigliani's mistress during world war i and he painted her a ton of times but then they had this incredibly dramatic very parisian breakup and he painted over one of them and these guys i know used technology to recreate the lost portrait but that's the least interesting part about her she was a south african journalist who moved to britain and she wrote under 13 different pseudonyms for a magazine called the new age which was kind of an esoteric socialist newspaper and the alter egos would fight with each other which was fantastic"

The speaker highlights Beatrice Hastings as a subject of interest due to her multifaceted career as a journalist who wrote under multiple pseudonyms for an esoteric publication. The speaker finds her use of these alter egos to engage in internal debates particularly fascinating, suggesting a complex and performative aspect to her work.

"The third theory is my favorite though because here's the other thing about importing gemstones like a lot of luxury goods famously whiskey it was very heavily taxed to import gemstones people don't always want to pay import tax so smuggling on the river huge trade jewel smuggling too and one popular method for jewel smuggling is say that you're on the crew of a ship that's got bags and bags of garnets to take to hatton garden and make into jewelry and oh no oh no i slipped i threw a huge bag of garnets overboard right at a specific spot in the current where i know it will flow to where my friends are waiting yes"

This quote presents a theory for the mysterious appearance of garnets in the Thames, focusing on historical jewel smuggling as a plausible explanation. The speaker finds this theory compelling because it accounts for the specific locations where the garnets are found, suggesting a deliberate act of disposal rather than a random event.

"But for those who are unfamiliar with the folklore of baba yaga think of your ancient folklore witch deep in the woods but with some really fun dark slavic twists she lives in a hut that stands upon chicken legs which is one of my favorite parts of her so if someone comes and approaches her when she's deep in the woods and she doesn't want to see them her hut can just stand up turn around so that person can't find the front door or else stand up and just run away and i mean seriously who among us hasn't wanted a house like that"

The speaker introduces Baba Yaga, describing her as an ancient Slavic folklore witch with distinctive characteristics, most notably her hut that stands on chicken legs. The speaker finds this detail particularly engaging, suggesting that the magical, mobile nature of her dwelling is a captivating element of the myth.

"And so why what's for you what's the interest in this this is this is now your new book it's the second book that you are releasing on baba yaga which is more of a i guess a historical account of the stories and so on your first book was a novel in which baba yaga played a big role but what's what's the obsession for you about this character is it teaching us a lot about modern world basically absolutely so this is my fifth book and i've been a little bit spread on looking at empowering storytelling empowering writing empowering writing your family history empowering writing your fiction and everything i have ever written really comes down to this singular fact that well written words and well told stories change the world"

The speaker explains their deep interest in Baba Yaga, framing it within their broader career focus on empowering storytelling and writing. The speaker believes that well-crafted narratives have the power to change the world, and this principle underpins their exploration of ancient folklore like Baba Yaga.

"And in this book it's actually she's listed in a section about world mythologies and world belief systems so you have this analysis of greek and roman mythology versus norse mythology versus slavic mythology and you have all of these kind of king of the gods comparable so you have odin next to jupiter next to perun and you have all of these king of gods gods of war gods of love all of this and in this list of world deities in the slavic culture you have baba yaga who is listed not as a witch but as a goddess and not only is that fascinating when you look at her history because this is clearly not an introduction to this character if she's listed in a book of world deities the world knows her already"

The speaker shares a significant research finding: Baba Yaga is listed as a goddess in an early Russian grammar book alongside other major deities from various mythologies. The speaker emphasizes that this placement indicates Baba Yaga was already a recognized figure in world belief systems, not merely a local folklore character, and that her designation as a goddess is particularly noteworthy.

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "The Baba Yaga Mask" by Kris Spisak - Mentioned as a dual-timeline fiction novel that uses Baba Yaga as a character to explore Ukrainian identity and World War II history.
  • "Becoming Baba Yaga" by Kris Spisak - Mentioned as a non-fiction book examining how ancient folktales can empower life, looking at the cultural and historical transformations of Eastern Europe.
  • "The Power of Mythology" by Joseph Campbell - Referenced in the context of a discussion about the current societal lack of mythological bedrock for morals.
  • "The Dow of Pooh" by Benjamin Hoff - Mentioned as an example of a book that explains life lessons through a seemingly unrelated vessel (Winnie the Pooh and Daoism).

Articles & Papers

  • Article on Thames mudlarking and garnets (Atlas Obscura) by Ellery Weil - Mentioned as the piece that introduced the podcast host to Ellery Weil's work.
  • Article on national park curses and cursed souvenirs (Atlas Obscura) by Ellery Weil - Mentioned as one of three pieces Ellery Weil has written for Atlas Obscura.
  • Article on a medieval reenactment community in rural Canada (Atlas Obscura) by Ellery Weil - Mentioned as one of three pieces Ellery Weil has written for Atlas Obscura.
  • "The Russian Grammar" (1755) - Referenced as the earliest known written record of Baba Yaga, listing her as a world deity rather than a witch.

People

  • Ellery Weil - Historian and writer, guest on the podcast, author of articles for Atlas Obscura.
  • Kris Spisak - Author, guest on the podcast, author of books on Baba Yaga.
  • Beatrix Hastings - South African journalist and suffragette, known for writing under 13 pseudonyms and her involvement with spiritualism.
  • Modigliani - Artist, mentioned in relation to Beatrix Hastings being his mistress.
  • Victoria Woodhull - First woman to run for president in the United States, advocate for free love and racial equality, involved in spiritualism.
  • Cornelius Vanderbilt - Mentioned as someone Victoria Woodhull worked with.
  • Colonel Blood - Second husband of Victoria Woodhull.
  • Emmeline Pankhurst - Suffragette leader, mentioned in the context of the suffrage movement's factions and respectability politics.
  • Emily Davison - Suffragette, known for hiding in a broom cupboard in the House of Commons and her protest at the Derby.
  • Tony Benn - British MP, mentioned for secretly putting up a plaque in the House of Commons commemorating Emily Davison.
  • Frank Cottrell Boyce - Screenwriter and children's author, tasked with writing the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony.
  • Madame Tussaud - Founder of Madame Tussauds wax museum, mentioned in relation to her work with wax casts of French Revolution figures.
  • Tom Baker - Actor who played the Fourth Doctor, mentioned for visiting Madame Tussauds to see his wax figure.
  • Joseph Campbell - Author, mentioned for his work "The Power of Mythology."
  • Benjamin Hoff - Author, mentioned for his book "The Dow of Pooh."
  • Lewis Carroll - Author, mentioned as an obsession of the podcast host.
  • Annie Besant - Suffragist, spiritualist, and head of the atheist league, later involved in the Indian independence movement.
  • Mokosh - Slavic goddess, mentioned as having a statue erected in Kiev in 980 AD.
  • Prince Vladimir - Prince who erected and later took down the statue of Mokosh.
  • Prince Ivan - Recurring character in Slavic folklore, often interacting with Baba Yaga.
  • Vasilisa the Beautiful - Character from Slavic folklore who interacts with Baba Yaga.
  • Keanu Reeves - Actor, mentioned for his character in John Wick being code-named Baba Yaga.

Organizations & Institutions

  • Atlas Obscura - Website where Ellery Weil has published articles.
  • Global Player - Production company for the podcast "We Can Be Weirdos."
  • The New Age - Esoteric socialist newspaper for which Beatrix Hastings wrote under pseudonyms.
  • NFL (National Football League) - Mentioned in the context of the "bad shit list" concept.
  • Pro Football Focus (PFF) - Mentioned in the context of the "bad shit list" concept.
  • House of Commons - Location where Emily Davison hid in a broom cupboard.
  • Madame Tussauds - Wax museum, mentioned in relation to wax figures of historical figures and celebrities.
  • The Secret Weirdo Committee - Mentioned as members of the podcast's audience.

Websites & Online Resources

  • Atlas Obscura - Website where Ellery Weil publishes articles.
  • Instagram (schreiberland) - Linked to host Dan Schreiber.

Other Resources

  • Thames Garnets - Semi-precious gems found washing up on the banks of the Thames, their origin being a mystery.
  • Mudlarking - The practice of searching the foreshore of rivers for historical artifacts, mentioned in relation to finding Thames garnets.
  • Baba Yaga - Legendary Slavic folklore witch, discussed extensively as a figure of transformation, morality, and empowerment.
  • Suffrage Movement - Political movement advocating for women's right to vote, discussed in relation to spiritualism and militant tactics.
  • Spiritualism - Belief system involving communication with the dead, discussed in relation to the suffrage movement and figures like Beatrix Hastings and Victoria Woodhull.
  • Occult Beliefs - Mentioned in relation to Ellery Weil's master's thesis on the suffrage movement.
  • Seances - Gatherings for spiritualist communication, mentioned in relation to Victoria Woodhull.
  • Free Love - Belief system associated with Victoria Woodhull.
  • Racial Equality - Advocated by Victoria Woodhull.
  • Militant Suffragette Rally - Mentioned in relation to Beatrix Hastings' arrest.
  • Garnet Paper - Type of sandpaper made from crushed garnet, one theory for the origin of Thames garnets.
  • Jewel Smuggling - Mentioned as a historical practice on the river Thames, a theory for the origin of Thames garnets.
  • Hatton Garden - Area in London known for jewelry trade.
  • Slavic Folklore - Tradition from which the Baba Yaga myth originates.
  • Empowering Storytelling - Concept discussed by Kris Spisak as a theme in her writing.
  • Ukrainian Identity - Explored in Kris Spisak's novel "The Baba Yaga Mask."
  • World War II Ukrainian Front - Historical period discussed in relation to Ukrainian identity.
  • Ukrainian Embroidery, Arts, Dance - Elements of Ukrainian identity used in Kris Spisak's novel.
  • Folktales - Discussed as a source of wisdom and moral guidance.
  • Mythology - Discussed as a bedrock of morals and shared identity.
  • Witchcraft - Discussed in relation to the demonization of powerful women and the misrepresentation of Baba Yaga.
  • Boogie Man - Term associated with Baba Yaga in modern pop culture, critiqued by Kris Spisak.
  • Deities - Discussed in the context of world mythologies and the classification of Baba Yaga.
  • Goddess Mokosh - Slavic goddess mentioned in relation to ancient worship and subsequent demonization.
  • Theosophists - Followers of Theosophy, mentioned in relation to spiritual beliefs.
  • Atheism - Discussed in relation to Annie Besant and its historical context.
  • Christianity - Mentioned in relation to Prince Vladimir's conversion.
  • Daoism - Philosophical tradition discussed in relation to "The Dow of Pooh."
  • Bad Shit List - A concept from the podcast for discussing negative or cursed items.

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