In this episode I go over more of the uses of magic dolls specifically across Europe, starting with their use in ancient Greece as Kolossoi and the use of dolls made by a couple different plants; mandrake roots and corn dollies. I look very briefly at the different uses and purposes of each one, as well as some notable aspects of their history, though there is always so much more to learn, so also check out the following sources if you would like to learn more about anything I cover today.

Sources:

Badwitch. “Magical Dolls: A History of Poppets & Effigy Spells.” Badwitch.Co.Uk, 15 Mar. 2026, https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/magical-dolls-history-of-poppets-effigy.html. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

---. “Pagan Eye: Magical Mandrake, or Mandragora.” Badwitch.Co.Uk, 17 Aug. 2026, https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/pagan-eye-magical-mandrake-or-mandragora.html?m=1#google_vignette. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

BOGDAN MIGULSKI. “Poppets in Folk Magic: Cursed Dolls and Witchcraft.” The ART BOG - Art, Design, Photography, Music and Culture. Since 2003., Oct. 2025, https://theartbog.com/poppets-in-folk-magic-cursed-dolls-and-witchcraft/. Accessed 27 July 2026.

Burbage, Lacey. “Poppets In Witchcraft - Naturally Modern Witch.” Naturally Modern Witch, 2 May 2024, https://naturallymodernlife.com/poppets-in-witchcraft/.

Calabrese, Angelica. “The History and Uses of the Magical Mandrake, According to Modern Witches.” Atlas Obscura, 12 Jan. 2016, https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-history-and-uses-of-the-magical-mandrake-according-to-modern-witches. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Dugan, Ellen. “The Magical Uses of Mandrake - Mother Earth Living.” Www.Motherearthliving.Com, 4 Feb. 2011, https://www.motherearthliving.com/gardening/magical-uses-of-mandrake-ze0z1102zdeb/. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Ferre, Lux. “Corn Dolly.” Occult World, 25 July 2017, https://occult-world.com/corn-dolly/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

Hearth of Haemonia. “Kolossoi: Dolls in Ancient Magic.” 20 Jan. 2023.

Knowles, George . “Poppet Magick.” Controverscial.Com, 2026, https://www.controverscial.com/Poppet%20Magick.htm. Accessed 26 Mar. 2026.

Kolle, Ruthie. “The Corn Dolly - Origins and How-To - Mother Hylde.” Mother Hylde, 19 Oct. 2022, https://motherhylde.com/the-corn-dolly-origins-and-how-to/. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

Simpson-Urrutia, Julia. “Poupées Médiévales – a Different Doll.” A Different Doll, 14 July 2011, https://adifferentdoll.wordpress.com/tag/poupees-medievales/. Accessed 26 July 2026.

The Pagan Federation. “Sympathetic Magic - the History of Magical Poppets by Elisa Gray.” 29 July 2021.

Wigington, Patti. “How to Make and Use Magical Poppets.” Learn Religions, 25 Sept. 2019, https://www.learnreligions.com/all-about-magical-poppets-2562563. Accessed 18 July 2026.

First part in a series on dolls used in magic and religions, looking at the use of Shabti in the Ancient Egyptian funerary practices. I’ll look at their use over time and provide a couple archeological examples for you to check out later. If you are curious check out this episode on this one piece of the Ancient Egyptian funeral practices that have drawn so much fascination with their mummies and tombs filled with riches.

Works Cited

Badwitch. “Magical Dolls: A History of Poppets & Effigy Spells.” Badwitch.Co.Uk, 15 Mar. 2026, https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2018/11/magical-dolls-history-of-poppets-effigy.html. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

Edu, World History. “Shabti Dolls in Ancient Egypt - World History Edu.” World History Edu, 27 Oct. 2024, https://worldhistoryedu.com/shabti-dolls-in-ancient-egypt/.

Lubow, Arthur, and Sonja Anderson. “What You Need to Know About China’s Terra-Cotta Warriors and the First Qin Emperor.” Smithsonian Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, 19 Apr. 2024, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/what-you-need-know-about-chinas-terra-cotta-warriors-first-qin-emperor-30942673/.

“Shabti: The Magical Ancient Egyptian Servants Created to Work for Eternity in the Afterlife.” History Skills, 2026, https://www.historyskills.com/classroom/ancient-history/shabti/?srsltid=AfmBOoqu4tOgkNSk2j93XNZDSSYG4HoDuiBCXsExujKojBmQ-IAKSosg. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.

Check out what I'm hoping is the last episode of this surprise series on haunted dolls. In it I’m going to cover three more haunted dolls that I thought were pretty creepy outside of the top 5 list I had started with. If you enjoy it don’t forget to check out my sources for more information on the dolls I’m covering and my Facebook: A History of Magic Podcast

Works Cited

Brittney Crabb. “JOLIET - the Haunted & Cursed Doll.” YouTube, 17 Mar. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPIm-5a26ho&list=PLPojQWTzUoZnplygKjnrotV1VJGrQ6aMg&index=15. Accessed 23 May 2026.

Fayyadhah Zainalabiden. “5 Creepy Dolls Found in Singapore That’ll Scare Even Fans of Annabelle.” MS News - Independent News for Singaporeans, Must Share News, 31 Oct. 2018, mustsharenews.com/creepy-dolls-singapore/. Accessed 16 May 2026.

Harsh. “Voodoo Zombie Doll | Stories of Haunted and Creepy Dolls.” Quotev, 13 Apr. 2016, www.quotev.com/story/7788432/Stories-of-haunted-and-creepy-dolls/7. Accessed 14 May 2026.

James Hershey Jr. “Voodoo Zombie Doll Staring into the Abyss Radio Show Extra Content.” YouTube, 6 May 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV0mhjfT-U4&list=PLPojQWTzUoZnplygKjnrotV1VJGrQ6aMg&index=14. Accessed 16 May 2026.

mitsueki. “The Story of the Creepy Blindfolded Doll Found under the Tree in Hougang, Singapore - Mitsueki ♥ | Singapore Lifestyle Blogger - Food, Fashion, Travel & Random News.” Mitsueki ♥ | Singapore Lifestyle Blogger - Food, Fashion, Travel & Random News, 26 June 2014, mitsueki.sg/2014/06/26/the-story-of-the-creepy-blindfolded-doll-found-under-the-tree-in-hougang-singapore/. Accessed 16 May 2026.

to, Contributors. “Joliet the Haunted and Cursed Doll.” Villains Wiki, Fandom, Inc., 2026, villains.fandom.com/wiki/Joliet_the_Haunted_and_Cursed_Doll. Accessed 23 May 2026.

WatchMojo.com. “Top 20 Terrifying Real Life Haunted Dolls.” YouTube, 25 June 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjxTEmAT79o&list=PLPojQWTzUoZnplygKjnrotV1VJGrQ6aMg&index=4. Accessed 16 May 2026.

A surprise second episode on some real world haunted dolls. These are three of the saddest ones I came across that didn’t make it on to my top 5 list. Once again, I can’t guarantee the stories for each is complete, so feel free to check out the list of sources I used and look them up on your own to learn more.

Works Cited

“Isla de Las Muñecas – the Island of the Dolls.” Isla de Las Munecas, 2025, isladelasmunecas.com/.

“Ruby the Haunted Doll.” Moonmausoleum.com, 2026, moonmausoleum.com/ruby-the-haunted-doll/. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.

“The Haunted Barbie Doll in the Shrine on Pulau Ubin Island - Moon Mausoleum.” Moon Mausoleum, 6 Apr. 2022, moonmausoleum.com/the-haunted-barbie-in-the-shrine/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.Westmaas, Reuben.

“The Island of the Dolls Has a Murky and Terrifying History.” Discovery, 31 Oct. 2019, www.discovery.com/exploration/the-island-of-the-dolls-has-a-murky-and-terrifying-history.

This is my top 5 haunted doll list, created based off of the first 5 haunted dolls I found on at least 5 different top Haunted dolls lists. It is just a brief overview of each, there is more information available by checking out the list of sources below.

Works Cited

Ashley. “Mandy: Canada’s Most Mischievous Haunted Doll.” Curious Archive, July 2025, www.curiousarchive.com/mandy-canadas-most-mischievous-haunted-doll/.

ashley. “Meet Okiku, the Haunted Japanese Doll That Grows Real Human Hair.” Curious Archive, 28 Mar. 2022, www.curiousarchive.com/okiku-haunted-japanese-doll/.

Gravestones, Ghosts . “Robert the Doll - Key West, FL.” Ghosts & Gravestones, Ghosts & Gravestones, 2018, www.ghostsandgravestones.com/key-west/robert-the-doll.

“HISTORY -- Annabelle Doll.” Realqueenofhorror.com, 2025, www.realqueenofhorror.com/2013/11/history-annabelle-doll.html?m=1. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.

Junpei. “Okiku Doll: Ever-Growing Hair of the Haunted Japanese Doll.” Japan Makes Me Scared/Japon, Fais-Moi Peur, 26 June 2024, japan-makes-me-scared.com/okiku-doll/.

Lucia. “Letta the Haunted Doll: The History of “Letta Me Out.”” The Ghost in My Machine, 9 Sept. 2024, theghostinmymachine.com/2024/09/09/encyclopaedia-of-the-impossible-letta-the-haunted-doll-letta-me-out/. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.

Lungariello, Mark, and David Propper. “Demonic “Annabelle” Doll “Safely Back” in Custody after Claims It Escaped, Caused Havoc in NOLA: “Shouldn’t Have Moved Her.”” New York Post, June 2025, nypost.com/2025/06/01/us-news/demonic-annabelle-doll-safely-back-in-custody-after-claims-it-escaped-caused-havoc-in-nola/.

Majanka. “Haunted Dolls: Letta the Doll - Majanka Verstraete.” Majanka Verstraete, 4 Mar. 2022, majankaverstraete.com/2022/03/04/haunted-dolls-letta-the-doll/. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.

“Mandy | Quesnel & District Museum and Archives.” Quesnelmuseum.ca, 2024, www.quesnelmuseum.ca/node/264.

“Robert’s Story | Robert the Doll.” Robert the Doll, 6 Feb. 2024, robertthedoll.org/story/.

sonja. “Annabelle, the Demonic Doll - the Little House of Horrors.” The Little House of Horrors, Annabelle, the demonic doll, 7 Feb. 2020, thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/annabelle-the-demonic-doll/.

Most stories about witches spotlight the hidden world of magic lurking just beneath our everyday lives—think *Charmed* or *Sabrina the Teenage Witch*—but what if the main character doesn’t hide their powers at all? Discover how the leading witch characters shift from secretive to openly magical, transforming familiar tropes into fresh narratives that challenge expectations.

In this episode, Lavendar Moon reveals the fascinating evolution of witches as protagonists—from the classic 'hidden in plain sight' archetype to those who face rejection and eventual acceptance within their communities. She explores how shows like *Good Witch* portray characters who start misunderstood, then become pivotal members of their towns, highlighting the power of vulnerability and community acceptance. You'll also hear about the dynamic of early magical education characters, like Kiki from *Kiki's Delivery Service* and Harry Potter, who step into magical worlds ready to learn and grow.

Lavendar breaks down three core tropes: the 'hidden in plain sight' witch, the misunderstood outsider who finds acceptance, and the young magical apprentice exploring their powers. She shares surprising insights into how these characters symbolize larger themes—trust, identity, and belonging—that resonate in all of us. Plus, she discusses how the portrayal of witches reflects society’s evolving relationship with magic, acceptance, and fear.

Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the genre, understanding these character archetypes reveals the deeper stories about acceptance and authenticity woven into every spell and potion. Perfect for storytellers, writers, or anyone captivated by magic’s portrayal in media—this episode will inspire you to rethink what makes a hero, and how breaking stereotypes can create richer, more relatable characters.

Lavendar Moon is a passionate storyteller and cultural analyst, specializing in the depiction of magic and folklore in pop culture. Whether she’s dissecting fantasy worlds or exploring historical legends, her insights bring new life to familiar tales.

Dive into the enchanting world of good witches and discover how their stories mirror our own journeys toward acceptance and self-discovery. Hit play and unlock the secrets behind some of the most iconic magical characters in modern media.