In this episode we read “The Goblin Market” by Christina Rossetti. A tale of the dangers of forbidden fruit and what you may give up for the sake of the lush and deceitfully delightful.

No content warning for this week, except perhaps to beware strange goblin men and the fruit they peddle. Just in case.

Join us for a bonus where we will break down the tale, dabble a little in the dangers of temptations, and chat about cadence and musicality of poetry.

To learn more about Widdershins, please visit:

www.widdershinsstories.com

For more information on Ashley, please visit:

www.oldgrowthalchemy.com

www.patreon.com/oldgrowthalchemy

For more information on Joe, please visit:

www.joesabourin.com

Ligeia-Behind the Story

In Episode 3, we read Ligeia by Edgar Allan Poe. In this episode join us for a discussion of the characters, pacing of the tale, and some metanarrative. We look at some of the themes as they twist from character to character, the challenges of an unreliable narrator, and a few tropes of Gothic romance.

And we ponder the question you’ve all been asking: Is this all Poe’s hot take on transcendentalism? Tune in to find out.

To learn more about Widdershins, please visit:

www.widdershinsstories.com

For more information on Ashley, please visit:

www.oldgrowthalchemy.com

www.patreon.com/oldgrowthalchemy

For more information on Joe, please visit:

www.joesabourin.com

In this episode we read “Ligeia” by Edgar Allan Poe: a tale of the befuddling strange beauty of a lost love and the opium-induced dreamscapes of a haunted man. In order words: Edgar Allan Poe.

**Content Warning**

Please note that the story in this episode has major themes of death, dying, and drug use.

Enjoyed the tale but missing the banter? Fear not! We will begin periodically releasing bonus episodes to go along with the tales. Come back for this week’s bonus episode as we discuss the making of the episode, soundscapes of dread, and Poe’s commentary on ideals of the time.

To learn more about Widdershins, please visit:

www.widdershinsstories.com

For more information on Ashley, please visit:

www.oldgrowthalchemy.com

www.patreon.com/oldgrowthalchemy

For more information on Joe, please visit:

www.joesabourin.com

In this episode we read “The Tale of a Youth Who Set Out to Learn What Fear Was” by The Brothers Grimm-or as we shall affectionately refer to it: Fearnot. This version is from The Blue Fairy Book as selected by Andrew Lang.

**Content Warning**

As with all Grimm tales, this does not shirk from the dark side. There is cruelty towards animals and casual murder throughout the story. Consider yourself forewarned.

And surprise: now with commentary! Joe and Ashley speak on the Grimm story formula, subversion of expectation, the process of composing these episodes, and a small dalliance with Tom Bombadil.

To learn more about Widdershins, please visit:

www.widdershinsstories.com

For more information on Ashley, please visit:

www.oldgrowthalchemy.com

www.patreon.com/oldgrowthalchemy

For more information on Joe, please visit:

www.joesabourin.com

In this inaugural episode of Widdershins, please enjoy “The Juniper Tree” by The Brothers Grimm as read by candlelight on a chilly moonless evening. This version is from The Juniper Tree and Other Tales from Grimm, Selected by Lore Segal and Maurice Sendak, Translated by Lore Segal with four tales translated by Randall Jarrell.

**Content Warning**

As with all Grimm tales, this does not shirk from the dark side. There is violence towards children, murder, death, and the questionable contents of a cannibalistic stew. Consider yourself forewarned.

To learn more about Widdershins, please visit:

www.widdershinsstories.com

For more information on Ashley, please visit:

www.oldgrowthalchemy.com

www.patreon.com/oldgrowthalchemy

For more information on Joe, please visit:

www.joesabourin.com