Here you will find just a few useful sources to start your journey on superstitions, with titles appropriate for casual fans and researchers alike. Please note that this is by no means a comprehensive list yet, as it is constantly being updated. Do check back often as we add more books, articles and useful websites!
Currently listed by subject and surname alphabetical order.
INTRODUCTION TO FOLKLORE
A selection of titles to get familiar with folklore, perfect for those starting out or for children.
Chainey, Dee Dee & Winsham, Willow (2018)
A Treasury of British Folklore: Maypoles, Mandrakes and Mistletoe
Available from your local or online bookshop.
Chainey, Dee Dee & Winsham, Willow (2021)
Treasury of Folklore – Seas and Rivers: Sirens, Selkies and Ghost Ships
Available from your local or online bookshop.
Chainey, Dee Dee & Winsham, Willow (2021)
Treasury of Folklore – Woodlands and Forests: Wild Gods, World Trees and Werewolves
Available from your local or online bookshop.
Cock-Starkey, Claire (2021)
Lore of the Wild: Folklore & Wisdom From Nature
Available from your local or online bookshop.
Cock-Starkey, Claire (2022)
Lore of the Land: Folklore & Wisdom From The Wild Earth
Available from your local or online bookshop.
DICTIONARIES & COMPILATIONS
A selection of titles by established writers and collectives, in dictionary-format.
Hole, Christina (1976)
British Folk Customs
Available from your local, online or second-hand bookshop.
Opie, Iona & Tatem, Moira (1989)
Oxford Dictionary of Superstitions
Available from your local, online or second-hand bookshop.
Reader’s Digest
Folklore, Myths & Legends of Britain
Available from your local second-hand bookshop.
Roud, Steve (2006)
The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland
Available from your local or online bookshop.
Roud, Steve (2004)
A Pocket Guide to Superstitions of the British Isles
Available from your local or online bookshop.
Winsham, Willow (2022)
Magpies & Red Skies: The Enchanting Origins of 100 Superstitions
Available from your local or online bookshop.
PSYCHOLOGY OF SUPERSTITION
A selection of titles to understand superstitions and the pros and cons of believing in the supernatural.
Hood, Bruce (2009)
Supersense (Alternative Title: The Science of Superstition)
Available from your local or online bookshop.
Vyse, Stuart (2013)
Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition
Available from your local or online bookshop.
Vyse, Stuart (2019)
Superstition – A Very Short Introduction
Available from your local or online bookshop.
HISTORICAL & ACADEMIC
A selection of titles and databases, including historical sources dating from before the 20th century.
Frazer, James (~1890)
The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion
Available via Project Gutenberg.
Gale, Georgina
The Victorian Gothic Library
Available HERE.
Lawrence, Robert (1898)
The Magic of the Horseshoe with Other Folk-Lore Notes
Available via Project Gutenberg.
Meslier, Jean (1732)
Superstition In All Ages
Available via Project Gutenberg.
Norman, Mark
The Folklore Library & Archive
Available HERE.
Smith & Co, Johnson (~1910)
The Book of Forbidden Knowledge: Black Magic, Superstitions, Charms, Divination, Signs, Omens, etc
Available via Internet Archive.
Various Authors (est.1878)
Folklore Journal
Available via subscription HERE.
Various Authors (est.1862)
‘Report of the Committee on Devonshire Folk-lore’ from Transactions of the Devonshire Association.
Available HERE.
Wilde, Lady Jane (~1888)
Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms & Superstitions of Ireland
Available via Project Gutenberg.
Superstitiology Gallery
Click the image below to head over to our virtual gallery at Art UK, and discover Superstition Sam’s curated exhibit of paintings related to or interpreted as superstitions.
All images selected for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Superstition Sam 
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