Magic in modern Greece was the PhD I didn’t get to do, because I was encouraged in a different direction and ended up specialising in the French Occult Revival.
Nevertheless, it is a phenomenon and topic area interwoven throughout my culture, deeply influencing various aspects of daily life, art, and tradition. I have spent many years observing, participating in, and occasionally studying it, drawn to its rich tapestry of folklore and rituals that reflect centuries of history and belief.
The duality of skepticism and reverence for the mystical practices found in modern Greece adds to the complexity of the subject, making it not just a niche interest but a vital thread in the cultural fabric.
Engaging with both practitioners and scholars has allowed me to explore the diverse interpretations and manifestations of magic, further enriching my understanding and appreciation of this captivating subject.
After several years of intense academic and artistic activity, I was forced into hiatus while family illness took centre stage. Faced with a double bereavement after 6 years of intensive caregiving and newly acquired health issues of my own, I felt the need to drastically rethink my priorities.
I spent a winter gathering and exploring the available material and realised this was a rich, untapped seam of significance to my academic field. My sense is that circumstances have matured and that there is no time like the present.
As I gradually return to my previous beloved activities of writing, teaching, and making art, Thyrathen is a semi-formal vehicle and initial point of reference for me to begin sharing my findings and experience, and hopefully, to begin building community interest.
Visit Thyrathen now to discover a host of articles on Greek women’s magic, folk practices, sacred art, and folk horror tales, as well as a free course on the Greek myths! New articles and forthcoming book extracts are shared weekly, as are my original translations of Greek folk tales (and find out why they’re called wondertales!) Sign up as a free subscriber to receive articles as they go live. All the articles are free, but paid subscribers will get access to new course material, and I will be grateful for the support as many hours of research go into each and every article.
