This week we will be taking a look at the transformation of one of mythology’s most misunderstood women: Circe. From Homer’s dangerous enchantress to a symbol of female power and self-authorship, we'll trace Circe’s evolution through ancient texts, centuries of retellings, and her feminist reclamation in today’s literature and culture. 

Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode: 

https://www.ancient-origins.net/myths-legends-europe/spellbinding-story-circe-goddess-magic-006787

https://www.greekmythology.com/Other_Gods/Circe/circe.html

https://uw.manifoldapp.org/read/odysseus-and-circe/section/00bcf35b-0057-450a-a122-781c91a8a73a

https://devonte.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/alfred-tennyson-e28093-ulysses.pdf

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Circe-Greek-mythology

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

Join me for a very special episode of Ladies of Lore, featuring the incredibly talented cast of RPG Major, the improvised musical actual play podcast. 

Today we explore the Sirens, find out where they come from, hear their stories and learn about how they have changed through time to arrive in today's modern world. All while hearing some amazing improvised songs from RPG Major. 

Follow RPG Major:

https://www.rpgmajor.com/

https://bsky.app/profile/rpgmajor.bsky.social

https://www.instagram.com/rpgmajor/

Cool Stuff Mentioned In This Episode: 

https://www.theoi.com/Text/HesiodCatalogues.html

https://www.frieze.com/article/siren-some-poetics-2022-review

https://www.frieze.com/article/siren-some-poetics-2022-review

https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/248205

https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/Odysseus-and-the-Sirens

https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/myths/odysseus-and-the-sirens/

https://mnet.mwpai.org/sites/default/files/2021-08/Ulysses_and_the_Sirens.pdf

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/foundations/ulysses-and-sirens

https://www.cusd80.com/cms/lib/AZ01001175/Centricity/Domain/4937/6%20-%20The%20Sirens.pdf

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

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

https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=dXmx97UzO6IC&oi=fnd&pg=PR21&dq=pandora+in+modern+culture+across+literature,+film,+tv,+and+music&ots=PJVQqSk1Ae&sig=P2n7RMWm0odw29AwehDgu8ExUtM&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

https://www.proquest.com/openview/23bfa767dfd91f00c401c5faba630aa2/1?cbl=18750&diss=y&pq-origsite=gscholar

http://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/18394/

https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=VRttDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA102&dq=pandora+in+modern+literature,+including+books+and+novels&ots=tH6ayRSPt4&sig=lX2IEw3jxFEAIDi2D83vvOxQ0pY&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=pandora%20in%20modern%20literature%2C%20including%20books%20and%20novels&f=false

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

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/

A Woman of Legend: The Once and Future Queen Guinevere | by legendarywomen | Legendary Women | Medium

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://www.bdtd.uerj.br:8443/bitstream/1/18264/2/Dissertação - Mariana Feitosa de Campos Oliveira - 2022 - Completa.pdf

https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/8367/1/Queen Guinevere.pdf

https://www-jstor-org.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/stable/pdf/10.1163/j.ctv2gjwzx0.20.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3Aff80eb395a977d8ee47a694283a4ca18&ab_segments=&initiator=recommender&acceptTC=1

https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/French/DeTroyesLancelotPartIII.php#anchor_Toc534022913

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dark-Fantastic-Imagination-Potter-Postmillennial/dp/1479806072/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1742329994&sr=8-1

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

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/

A Woman of Legend: The Once and Future Queen Guinevere | by legendarywomen | Legendary Women | Medium

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://www.bdtd.uerj.br:8443/bitstream/1/18264/2/Dissertação - Mariana Feitosa de Campos Oliveira - 2022 - Completa.pdf

https://skemman.is/bitstream/1946/8367/1/Queen Guinevere.pdf

https://www-jstor-org.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/stable/pdf/10.1163/j.ctv2gjwzx0.20.pdf?refreqid=fastly-default%3Aff80eb395a977d8ee47a694283a4ca18&ab_segments=&initiator=recommender&acceptTC=1

https://www.poetryintranslation.com/PITBR/French/DeTroyesLancelotPartIII.php#anchor_Toc534022913

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

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

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

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:

• https://www.blackhistoryheroes.com/2015/10/a-west-african-folktale-of-story-of.html
• https://africanpoems.net/gods-ancestors/oshun-the-river-goddess/
• https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Philosophy-of-the-Yoruba-2006354
• https://contra.com/p/7NOYqrN6-oshun-the-goddess-of-love-fertility-and-abundance
• https://www.uua.org/re/tapestry/children/signs/session13/oshun
• https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-to-invoke-oshun-yoruba-goddess-orisha/
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeonBmeFR8o
• https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-to-invoke-oshun-yoruba-goddess-orisha/
• https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/7/31/21349403/beyonce-black-is-king-oshun-osun-yoruba-goddess

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

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:

• https://www.pookpress.co.uk/the-frog-prince-story-a-tale-by-the-brothers-grimm/
• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/leah-chase-princess-tiana
• https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/leah-dookie-chase-40

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

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:

• https://phjhds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/21-Morality-in-Igbo-Cosmology-The-Role-of-Ani-the-Earth-Goddess..pdf
• https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anayochukwu-Ugwu/publication/368307207_A_DISCOURSE_ON_THE_MEANING_AND_CULTURAL_IMPLICATIONS_OF_ALA_TO_THE_IGBO/links/63e1fd55dd5ea060ac23c29c/A-DISCOURSE-ON-THE-MEANING-AND-CULTURAL-IMPLICATIONS-OF-ALA-TO-THE-IGBO.pdf
• https://journals.ezenwaohaetorc.org/index.php/IJAH/article/viewFile/673/637
• https://phjhds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/21-Morality-in-Igbo-Cosmology-The-Role-of-Ani-the-Earth-Goddess..pdf
• https://phjhds.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/21-Morality-in-Igbo-Cosmology-The-Role-of-Ani-the-Earth-Goddess..pdf
• https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chika-Okpalike/publication/307214447_AMOSU_AS_LIFE_FORCE_IN_IGBO_AFRICAN_MYTHOLOGY/links/57c4aed808ae5e5a8191bdc5/AMOSU-AS-LIFE-FORCE-IN-IGBO-AFRICAN-MYTHOLOGY.pdf
• https://womrel.sitehost.iu.edu/REL 300 Spirit/REL 300_Spirit/Igbo Culture and History.pdf

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore

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://kevin-garwood.medium.com/cultural-confluences-the-evolution-of-mami-wata-from-water-spirit-to-global-icon-a50098f205a0

https://republic.com.ng/nigeria/mami-wata-cj-obasi/

https://youtu.be/BRmj7lyvRlk?si=AbrrEpsG2qu1Wx2t

https://www.moma.org/artists/28097-wangechi-mutu

http://duval-carrie.com/

Support the show

Follow me on Bluesky - @ladiesoflore.bsky.social

Follow me on TikTok - @ladiesoflore