The Inscrutable Nature of Ravens

I’ve been thinking a lot about ravens lately. Probably in part because autumn is here and Halloween is approaching, and the general atmosphere outside has been rather raven-esque. It’s probably also because I’ve been reading—and just recently finished—Jonathan Strange...
The Magical Properties of Trees

The Magical Properties of Trees

If you’ve read any of my stories, then you probably already know how much of a part nature plays in them. Particularly trees. My stories often take place in woods or forests, or even if they don’t, trees will often sneak in somewhere to play a significant part (like...

Happy Yule… With Goats

In Sweden, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without the traditional Yule Goat—or Julbocken. The origins of the Yule Goat aren’t exactly clear. Some seem to think there’s a connection between the Yule Goat and Thor’s goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, who pulled the...
Swedish Faeries and Faery Tales

Swedish Faeries and Faery Tales

There’s a fantasy and science fiction bookstore in Stockholm I like to visit on occasion. When I do, I usually walk out with a pile of books to add to my already towering to-be-read pile, and my last visit there was no exception. Incidentally, that was the visit where...

Swedish Food and Folklore

Every year around Christmas time I get ideas in my head of all the food I’m going to make. More often than not, it never actually happens. Last year, though, I made a breakthrough and actually made the applesauce I had been intending to do for years, and some crisp...
Zhulong

Zhulong

I had to Google this one, due to a distinct lack of any Z related people or creatures in my books at home. Plus, my brain feels fried after writing about Yggdrasil. So we’re going to wrap up this challenge with a nice “easy” one.   “Zhulong” literally means...