31 avsnitt • Längd: 35 min • Månadsvis
Ladies of Lore is the podcast dedicated to the fierce, forgotten and fascinating women of mythology and folklore. We unpick, unravel and explore their origins, their stories and explore how they have changed through time to arrive in today’s modern world. From vengeful goddesses to cunning tricksters, warrior queens to mystical seers, we dive deep into the legends that shaped cultures – and the women who ruled them.
Whether they’ve been erased, misunderstood or overshadowed, we’re here to set the record straight and bring their stories to life. If you love myth, history and powerful women, this is the podcast for you.
The podcast Ladies of Lore is created by India. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
In this episode, we unravel the mystery of Pandora’s story, the true meaning of her jar, and the curious fate of hope. Was it a blessing, a trick, or something more?
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1884-0807-1
https://turkisharchaeonews.net/object/pithos-garden-troy
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pandora-Greek-mythology
https://www.greekmyths-greekmythology.com/pandoras-box-myth/
https://www.theoi.com/Heroine/Pandora.html
https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/Mortals/Pandora/pandora.html
http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/18394/
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TRIGGER WARNING - SEXUAL ASSAULT
For centuries, Guinevere has been portrayed as a cautionary tale—the woman whose love affair with Lancelot shattered Camelot. But was she truly the villain of the story, or was she a victim of the patriarchal narratives that have shaped her legend? In this episode, we reclaim Guinevere’s agency, exploring her role as a powerful queen, a woman caught between duty and desire.
Welcome to the second part of our exploration of Queen Guinevere, where we take a look at how portrayals of Guinevere changed through time from Thomas Mallory, through to the Victorian period and into the modern day.
Cool Stuff Mentioned in this Episode:
https://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/guinever.html
https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/guinevere-0017503
https://www.worldhistory.org/Guinevere/
https://matterofbritain.com/htmlpages/legendliterature3.html
https://www.medievalists.net/2017/12/will-real-guinevere-please-stand/
https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/84552/1/RMS-2004-04_P._S._Noble%2C_Women_in_the_Vulgate_Cycle.pdf
https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/8367/1/Queen Guinevere.pdf
https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/French/DeTroyesLancelotPartIII.php#anchor_Toc534022913
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For centuries, Guinevere has been portrayed as a cautionary tale—the woman whose love affair with Lancelot shattered Camelot. But was she truly the villain of the story, or was she a victim of the patriarchal narratives that have shaped her legend? In this episode, we reclaim Guinevere’s agency, exploring her role as a powerful queen, a woman caught between duty and desire.
Join us in this first part of our exploration of Queen Guinevere as we examine the medieval sources and hear some stories of Guinevere and her Lancelot.
Cool Stuff Mentioned in this Episode:
https://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/guinever.html
https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/guinevere-0017503
https://www.worldhistory.org/Guinevere/
https://matterofbritain.com/htmlpages/legendliterature3.html
https://www.medievalists.net/2017/12/will-real-guinevere-please-stand/
https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/84552/1/RMS-2004-04_P._S._Noble%2C_Women_in_the_Vulgate_Cycle.pdf
https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/8367/1/Queen Guinevere.pdf
https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/French/DeTroyesLancelotPartIII.php#anchor_Toc534022913
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Here's a little announcement to let you all know what I've been cooking up.
TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@ladiesoflore?_t=ZN-8uPUK8OLW7C&_r=1
Patreon will be live from 1st April at:
patreon.com/LadiesofLore
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From the golden waters of Yoruba mythology to the iconic visuals of Lemonade, Oshun has long been a symbol of love, femininity, and resilience. But how does this powerful goddess connect to Beyoncé’s music, imagery, and artistic evolution? In this episode, we explore the origins and transformations of the Orisha, Oshun and unpack the deep spiritual and cultural ties between Oshun and Queen Bey.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
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Disney’s The Princess and the Frog introduced audiences to Tiana, a hardworking dreamer inspired by the real-life culinary legend Leah Chase. In this episode, we start with a brief look at the classic tale before diving into the remarkable story of Leah Chase—her journey from humble beginnings to becoming the “Queen of Creole Cuisine,” her impact on New Orleans, and how her life helped shape Disney’s first Black princess. Join us as we explore the legacy of a woman who stirred up more than just great food—she helped inspire history.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
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In this episode, we explore Ala, the powerful Earth Goddess of Igbo mythology. As the guardian of fertility, morality, and the afterlife, Ala plays a central role in Igbo spirituality. Join us as we uncover her significance, sacred shrines, and lasting influence on Igbo traditions.
Cool stuff mentioned in this episode:
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I am so sorry for the microphone quality not being amazing this episode! Your girl was riding the struggle bus with it this week. Thank you for listening nonetheless!
I'm really excited to be highlighting Black mythology all throughout February, this week we're kicking it off by diving into the water and learning all about Mami Wata, the African water deity known for her beauty, generosity and potential for destruction.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
https://africa.si.edu/exhibits/mamiwata/intro.html
https://www.nms.ac.uk/discover-catalogue/the-african-spiritual-tradition-of-mami-wata
https://farafinabooks.wordpress.com/2012/11/15/wet-hair-by-eghosa-imasuen/
https://republic.com.ng/nigeria/mami-wata-cj-obasi/
https://youtu.be/BRmj7lyvRlk?si=AbrrEpsG2qu1Wx2t
https://www.moma.org/artists/28097-wangechi-mutu
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Take a step into the spooky unknown and learn all about the creatures that strike fear into the Philippines, The Aswang.
We'll discover some of the many forms of the Aswang, where they came from and how these creatures have endured throughout the ages, adapting to the changing social and political landscape of their homeland.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
https://www.aswangproject.com/etymology-aswang/
https://allthatsinteresting.com/aswang
https://www.reddit.com/r/Iloilo/comments/15dsm8x/aswang_stories_and_paranormal_experiences/
https://owlcation.com/humanities/What-Really-Is-an-Aswang
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In this episode, we dive into the evolution of Belle, the beloved heroine from Beauty and the Beast. From Roman influence, her origins in 18th-century fairy tales to her portrayal in Disney’s iconic animation and live-action adaptations, we explore how Belle has remained a symbol of curiosity, courage, and compassion. Discover how her character has adapted to reflect changing cultural values, inspiring generations with her love of knowledge and her ability to see beyond appearances. Let us uncover the timeless magic of Belle across the ages.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
https://www.artstorywalks.com/en/blog-uk/story-of-a-myth-love-and-psyche
https://carterhaughschool.com/tale-as-old-as-time-the-legacy-of-beauty-and-the-beast/
https://darkfairytales.wordpress.com/2016/05/02/real-beast-and-her-beauty-petrus-and-catherine-gonsalvus/
https://writinginmargins.weebly.com/home/were-beauty-and-the-beast-real-people-petrus-and-catherine-gonsalvus
https://historycollection.com/the-real-beauty-and-the-beast-didnt-live-happily-ever-after/
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/beauty-and-the-beast-tile-panel-edward-burne-jones/iAGbxQ3ew0YlGA?hl=en
https://ew.com/movies/beauty-and-the-beast-evolution/
https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/beauty.html
RPG Major!
RPG Major | RPG Major
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We're back with another bad girl of the Bible this week, Jezbel! Is she misunderstood or was she just a bit power hungry and immoral? Come and find out!
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/9660/9660-h/9660-h.htm
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jezebel-queen-of-Israel
https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/jezebel-bible
https://lithub.com/who-exactly-was-the-original-jezebel/
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/how-bad-was-jezebel/
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Come and learn all about Amaterasu, the fascinating Japanese Shinto Goddess of the sun. Learn about where she came from and hear tales of her quite dramatic sibling rivalries.
Cool stuff mentioned in this episode:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Amaterasu
https://mythopedia.com/topics/amaterasu
https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g00748/amaterasu-the-japanese-sun-goddess.html
https://www.worldhistory.org/Amaterasu/
https://withaterriblefate.com/2018/02/08/how-okami-transformed-the-meaning-of-characters-like-amaterasu/
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Come and find out all about the amazing women of yuletide mythology and folklore in this special festive episode!
Cool stuff mentioned in this episode:
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/does-mrs-claus-have-a-life-of-her-own
https://daily.jstor.org/santa-and-mrs-claus-and-the-christmas-war-of-the-sexes/
http://museumsonthegreen.org/wp-content/uploads/Goody-Edited.pdf
https://www.italiarail.com/culture/legend-la-befana
https://www.romaexperience.com/post/italian-traditions-holidays-befana
https://www.britannica.com/topic/St-Lucias-Day
https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-st-lucias-day
https://guidetoiceland.is/history-culture/the-icelandic-yule-lads-and-gryla
https://www.exploringiceland.is/blog/gryla-and-her-13-yule-lads
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If you thought you knew The Little Mermaid, think again.
In this episode, we'll uncover the true story behind Ariel, we will do a deep dive in to the mind of Hans Christian Andersen, the creator of the original tale, discuss the Disneyfication of The Little Mermaid and examine where she can still be found in modern pop culture.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
https://rictornorton.co.uk/andersen.htm
https://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/arts_culture/2022/06/many-little-mermaids-hans-christian-andersens-classic-fairy-tale.html
https://eastrockawaygull.com/3818/creative-writing/the-dark-truth-behind-the-little-mermaid/
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Dive into the captivating history of one of the world’s most beloved fairy tales.
In this episode, we'll uncover the true story behind Mulan, we will read the original Chinese ballad, discuss the Disneyfication of Mulan and examine where she can still be found in modern pop culture.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
https://classicalpoets.org/2018/09/23/the-ballad-of-mulan-a-rhyming-translation/
https://mulanbook.com/
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Hua-Mulan
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Dive into the captivating history of one of the world’s most beloved fairy tales.
In this episode, we'll uncover the true story behind Sleeping Beauty—a tale far darker and more complex than the enchanted slumber we know today. From ancient myths of cursed maidens to the harrowing origins in folklore, we'll explore how this story evolved through centuries of oral tradition, literature, and cultural transformation.
Join us as we peel back the layers of this timeless legend to reveal the secrets hidden in its roots.
Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode:
https://bsky.app/profile/ladiesoflore.bsky.social
https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/general/original-disney-stories-films
https://www.colorado.edu/projects/fairy-tales/grimms-fairy-tales/sleeping-beauty
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/jun/17/how-we-made-sleeping-beauty-disney
https://www.thedisneyclassics.com/blog/artistry-sleeping-beauty
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If you had the recipe to a highly effective, undetectable poison, how would you use it? To poison the men of course.
Check out 2Lives - https://www.2lives.org/
Cool stuff mentioned this episode:
https://aspectsofhistory.com/giulia-tofana-power-poison/
https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/giulia-tofana-the-italian-serial-poisoner-who-became-a-legend
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Come and jump into Arthurian Legend and find out all about Arthur's half-sister, Morgan le Fay. Was she truly evil or was she just a girl trying to hold her own in a world of knights and wizards?
Cool stuff mentioned in this episode:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Morgan-le-Fay
https://kingarthursknights.com/arthurian-characters/morgan-le-fay/
https://theconversation.com/morgan-le-fay-how-arthurian-legend-turned-a-powerful-woman-from-healer-to-villain-109928
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Come and explore the world of the Erzulie, divine feminine figures in Haitian Vodou.
Cool stuff I mentioned in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/@ChroniclesofaZoe
https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/collections/world-cultures/africa/vodouflags
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Come with me to Japan to explore the terrifying Kuwazu Nyobo, the silent wife with the mouth in the back of her head.
Cool Stuff I Mentioned In This Episode
https://electricliterature.com/female-ghosts-and-spirits-from-japanese-folklore-ranked/
https://electricliterature.com/female-ghosts-and-spirits-from-japanese-folklore-ranked/
https://www.iromegane.com/post/japanese-mythology-marriage-between-humans-and-animals
https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA615691031&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=18826865&p=LitRC&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7Efac90a7d&aty=open-web-entry
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Today's episode is all about Isis, the powerful mother figure who resurrected her husband and built a following (and a phallus) that transcended borders.
Cool stuff I mentioned in this episode:
https://medium.com/minneapolis-institute-of-art/ancient-egypt-and-the-mystery-of-the-missing-phallus-97db0103ecdc
https://www.eoht.info/page/Phallus%20of%20Osiris
https://faculty.gvsu.edu/websterm/Egypt/Ra&Isis.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7MHGDGmsk8&t=1065s
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Today's episode is all about Lilith, the first lady of the garden of Eden, demoness, seductress and feminist icon.
Come and find out all about her origins, her departure from garden of Eden, her transformation into the infant slaying demon, and reclamation as a feminist symbol of the power of feminine sexuality.
Head on over to 2lives for some more great podcasting!
https://www.2lives.org
Cool stuff I mentioned in this episode:
https://www2.kenyon.edu/Depts/Religion/Projects/Reln91/Power/lilith.htm#:~:text=Although%20the%20figure%20of%20Lilith,of%20the%20%22first%20Eve%22.
https://symbolreader.net/2020/08/24/lilith/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Lilith-Jewish-folklore
https://jwa.org/encyclopedia/article/lilith
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/lilith/
https://jwa.org/node/23210
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/658/the-queen-of-the-night/
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Today's episode is all about Hel, the Norse ruler of the underworld and Cate Blanchett lookalike!
Come and find out all about her origins, her place in Norse Cosmology and where you might find her in modern culture.
Cool Stuff I mentioned in this episode:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hel-Norse-deity
https://norse-mythology.org/cosmology/the-nine-worlds/helheim/
https://skjalden.com/hel/
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Today’s episode is all about Yennenga, the warrior princess who broke tradition and founded a dynasty!
Come and find out all about this amazing woman of mythology who's impact has truly altered history.
Cool stuff I mentioned in this episode:
https://www.tourhq.com/article/a-travel-guide-to-burkina-faso-the-land-of-honest-people
https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/160D/production/_121254650_gettyimages-1236081546.jpg.webp
https://www.juggle.org/the-art-of-yennega-circus/
https://www.worldhistory.org/image/12672/yannenga/#google_vignette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqtdoBq3kj0
https://www.joanmadison.com/shop/queendom-collection/queendom-nine-detail
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So sorry for my last minute no show this week! But I promise I'll be back next week with a super fascinating episode about a badass woman of mythology.
Please let me know if there is anything you'd like me to feature in upcoming episodes! I love hearing your feedback.
Thank you all SO much for the support! Can't wait to talk to you all next week.
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Today’s episode is all about Harpies, the furious and fearsome winged women of Ancient Greek Mythology!
Come and find out all about these terrifying creatures and see how their famous reputation has changed and evolved over time.
Cool stuff I mentioned in this episode:
https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Harpy
https://www.theoi.com/Pontios/Harpyiai.html
https://harpymagazine.com/home-1/2018/12/3/41knb08w49g2q0apmx2rif37a5pt2m
https://list.fandom.com/wiki/Harpies_in_popular_culture
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In this episode we'll explore the fierce, fascinating and fabulous Sumerian Goddess, Inanna. The Queen of Heaven and of getting her own back.
Come and learn all about her origins, her impact on other ancient cultures and her enduring legacy as both a trans ally and feminist icon.
Some of the cool stuff mentioned in this episode:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_z1pTvnlGqE
https://artofcompost.ca/2020/05/31/inanna-and-dumuzi-get-it-on/
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/215/inannas-descent-a-sumerian-tale-of-injustice/
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In this episode we'll embark on a captivating journey into the origins and legends of The Morrigan, the formidable Irish goddess of war, fate, and sovereignty.
Come along as we unravel the mysteries surrounding this powerful deity who is still worshipped even to this day.
Are you into History and Jewellery?
Check out @artbykerrie on Tiktok or artbykerrie_ on instagram for some beautiful pieces of jewellery made of discarded pieces of our past. Each piece is something Kerrie has found mudlarking and comes with a cute little card containing research about the piece.
Some of the cool stuff mentioned in this episode:
https://loraobrien.ie/morrigan/
https://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/leborgabala.html
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In this episode, we'll unveil the terrifyingly tragic tale of La Llorona, a figure who has haunted Latin America for centuries.
Known as "The Weeping Woman," La Llorona is said to be the spirit of a mother doomed to wander the earth in search of her lost children. We’ll explore the origins of this eerie tale, its variations across different cultures, and the enduring impact it has had on folklore, pop culture, and the collective psyche.
Come along and unravel the mysteries behind La Llorona’s eternal sorrow and her place in the pantheon of the supernatural.
Translations:
Mis Hijos - My children
Donde estan mis hijos? - Where are my children?
Mestizo - people of mixed ancestry with a white European and an indigenous background
Are you into History and Jewellery?
Check out @artbykerrie on Tiktok or artbykerrie_ on instagram for some beautiful pieces of jewellery made of discarded pieces of our past. Each piece is something Kerrie has found mudlarking and comes with a cute little card containing research about the piece.
Some of the cool stuff mentioned in this episode:
https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2021/10/la-llorona-storytelling-for-halloween-and-da-de-muertos/
https://blogs.loc.gov/folklife/2021/10/la-llorona-an-introduction-to-the-weeping-woman/
https://austinghosts.com/la-llorona-the-weeping-woman/
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Trigger Warning - Sexual Assault.
In this episode, we delve into the captivating legend of Medusa, one of mythology's most misunderstood figures. Join me as we explore her origins, from her transformation into a Gorgon to a symbol of feminine rage.
We'll unravel the layers of her story, examining how Medusa has been portrayed in ancient myths, art and modern culture. Was she truly a monstrous villain, or a tragic victim?
Tune in to discover the surprising truths behind the myth of Medusa and her enduring impact on our collective imagination.
Some of the cool stuff mentioned in this episode:
https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/medu/hd_medu.htm
https://pharos.vassarspaces.net/2018/01/18/antiquity-in-support-of-violent-misogyny-in-anti-clinton-apparel/
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Hi! I'm India, an almost 30-year-old history enthusiast from Suffolk, UK. From a young age, my passion for History and Mythology has fueled my curiosity and imagination. I remember being captivated by the tales of heroes from Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, but I always had one lingering question: where are the stories of the women?
Determined to uncover and share these overlooked narratives, I created this podcast to bring the fascinating women of Mythology into the spotlight. Join me as I delve into incredible stories of Mythological women all over the world and share them with you all. I hope you find them as inspiring and captivating as I do.
Let's explore these extraordinary tales together!
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En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.
