Episodes

This is part of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing an Icelandic Folklore story every Friday in 2024. The upcoming story is based on a description of the Ox-Whale in the book “Meeting with Monsters – An Illustrated Guide to the Beasts of Iceland” by Jón Baldur Hlíðberg and Sigurður Ægisson. It is an awesome book and I highly recommend getting if you like to read about creatures that many claim to be real around Iceland. Jón is one of the owners of The Icelandic Sea Monster Museum in t...

This is the second response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here. 1. “What do Icelanders generally like and dislike about Americans?” – Garrett In general, I’d say that Icelanders don’t have a lot of dislikes when it comes specifically to Americans. It is more like dislikes of tourist in general. So, if you are respectful of the the people and language, Iceland...

This modern-day folklore mixes the supernatural with Iceland’s gorgeous landscape. It all starts with a man named Dillon, a Brit that had traveled to Iceland many times. One day he claims to have been contacted by aliens who told him to gather people in Iceland on November 5th, 1993 because they were going to be on Snæfellsjökull glacier that day. According to Dillon, his information was backed up by a woman who had been abducted and saw visions of the event happening on that day. The plot thic...

Today’s episode focuses on the historic site of Skriðuklaustur, which offers a captivating glimpse into Iceland’s rich Icelandic culture, history, and literature. This enchanting destination, nestled amidst the rugged beauty of the Icelandic landscape, serves as a bridge between the past and the present, inviting visitors to explore the layers of stories etched within this museum. The Origins of Skriðuklaustur Monastery Skriðuklaustur, a landmark of rural eastern Iceland, and has origins traci...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024. This week’s tale is about a talented human midwife who ends up with a special ability after helping some elves. Please note that there is a violent act shared in this story and you may not deem it appropriate for young kids. A Talented Icelandic Midwife Is Beckoned By Elves One day, an Icelandic human midwife was approached by elves for help with a high...

Visiting Iceland in November offers a unique and enchanting experience, blending the majestic winter landscapes with the possibility of witnessing the magical Northern Lights. Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland January in Iceland February in Iceland March in Iceland April in Iceland May in Iceland June in Iceland July in Iceland August in Iceland September in Iceland October in Iceland Icelandic Weather and Average Temperature in November November in Iceland marks the transition deepe...

A quick but fascinating Icelandic folklore tale about Naustahvilft. According to the legend, a troll was hurrying home to avoid being turned into stone by the sun that was going to rise soon. She was traveling quickly enough that she was ahead of schedule and was able to stop to rest. The area that she stopped is Ísafjörður, the fjord where the largest town in the Westfjords is located. The troll’s feet were aching so she sat down on the mountain to rest. The shear weight of her made an indent ...

This is the first response episode for my new segment “Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland”. Thank you to everyone who sent in questions and if you would like to submit a question, you can do it here. Questions sent in from the listeners of the All Things Iceland Podcast 1. Can you please discuss some of the history of Ravens in Iceland. I was delighted to hear about some mischievous Ravens by Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon, who were working in tandem to collect and confiscate tourist’s goods. Do w...

For this episode of Folklore Friday we’re diving into the chilling tales and explosive history of Iceland’s very own Mount Hekla, often dubbed as the “Gateway to Hell”! Hekla Volcano’s Eruption Patterns & Destructive Past Our story begins in the year 1104, when Hekla made its grand entrance into the annals of volcanic history with a bang! Since the 1970s, this fiery beauty has been quite punctual, gracing us with a spectacle roughly every decade. However, she’s been holding back since her las...

As of January 15th, 2024, Keflavík International Airport (KEF) has stated that they are gearing up to host a whopping 8.5 million passengers this year, making it one of their busiest years ever. Yep, you heard it right, this little volcanic island is becoming more of a hotspot than ever before! I know 8.5 million sounds like a lot, because it is, but I will put that into context during this episode because there much more to the story. Why 2024 Can Be a Record-Breaking Year in Iceland? So, wh...

At the famous, beautiful, and dangerous Reynisfjara black sand beach there are three sea stacks clearly visible out in the ocean. They look as though they have popped up out of nowhere but there is a story behind their existence. Legend has it that two trolls were trying to pull a ship to shore during the middle of the night. However, they lost track of time and since this was during the warmer seasons when we have shorter nights, the sun came up sooner than they thought. Any troll caught in t...

Visiting Iceland in October offers a unique and captivating experience, characterized by its transitional weather, diminished crowds, and the chance to witness the Northern Lights. Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland January in Iceland February in Iceland March in Iceland April in Iceland May in Iceland June in Iceland July in Iceland August in Iceland September in Iceland Weather and Average Temperature Temperature Range: October in Iceland sees average temperatures ranging from 2°C t...

This particular episode is about Hallgerður Hallgrímsdóttir, who did an interesting interview with VICE back in 2016 about her intimate encounters. An important warning though is that she goes into some graphic details about her and an elf being intimate, as well as an anonymous account that she shares from someone else. It’s definitely out there. What Might Happen if You Meet An Icelandic Elf I am summarizing what she said in the most PG way that I can. Hallgerður claims that she was out walk...

In the early hours of February 8th, a volcanic eruption north of Grindavik, not far from the famed Blue Lagoon, marked the third eruption since December, igniting concerns among locals and authorities. With the eruption’s intensity waning by the evening, experts from the Icelandic Met Office suggest this latest upheaval might be fizzling out. Yet, the pattern of increasing volcanic activity has them predicting possible monthly eruptions in the near future. The Reykjanes Peninsula compared to t...

One of Iceland’s most iconic and breathtaking landmarks is Hallgrímskirkja church. This isn’t just any church; it’s a symbol of Icelandic identity, a fusion of history, and a beautiful architectural design that speaks volumes about the island’s unique character. Later on, in my random fact of the episode, I share who this church is named after. Ask Jewells Anything Before I jump in, I am excited to share that I have created a form where my listeners and followers can submit questions for the “...

The tale about Shaggy Trout is one I learned from reading the lovely book “Meeting with Monsters: An Illustrated Guide to the Beasts of Iceland” by Jón Baldur Hlíðberg and Sigurður Ægisson. I’m summarizing bits of the story in this episode but it is really interesting to read about this fish and other creatures in the book The Tale of the Shaggy Trout In the shadowed streams and hidden depths of Iceland’s wild landscapes, there whispers a tale as mysterious as the land itself—the saga of the S...

Iceland, a land of fire and ice, offers a myriad of awesome routes for tourists to explore attractions, but none as well known as the Golden Circle. This popular tourist route is easily accessible from Reykjavik, and it encapsulates the raw beauty and geological marvels of Iceland. In this comprehensive guide, I will take you through the classic stops of the Golden Circle – Thingvellir National Park, Geysir Hot Spring, and Gullfoss Waterfall – and share insights on additional stops that will tr...

In the North on Drangey Island is where this tale takes place. It’s said that a man went to hunt birds and collect eggs on the island. As soon as he stepped foot on the island, he dropped died. Guðmundur “The Good” Vs The Devil on Drangey Island Word got around about the sudden death of this man and people felt that the reason for the death was an evil spirit or a devil. Guðmundur “The Good”, who was known as an individual that dealt with these types of spirits, went to try and sanctify the is...

There are three main parts to the Winter Lights Festival – The Lights Trail, Museum Night, and Pool Night. I’ll explain each of them briefly and will provide a link where you can find out more about the 150 events going on during this festival where a number of artists participate. Ask Jewells Anything About Iceland Before I jump in, I am excited to share that I have created a form where my listeners and followers can submit questions for the “Ask Jewells About Iceland” podcast episodes I plan...

Today, we’re diving into some intriguing Icelandic tales from East Iceland, specifically some tales from the life of Pastor Vigfús Benediktsson. Back in the 18th century, Vigfús found himself dealing with some pretty wild supernatural encounters. Luckily for him, some of the intuitive and resourceful women in his life were able to help him out when he was in some spooky situations. Pastor Vigfús’ Near Fatal Drink Before landing the gig at Kalfafellsstadur, Vigfús was the pastor at Einholt. Aro...

Unfortunately one of the worst case scenarios has happened in Grindavik when an eruption started this past Sunday early in the morning. Two fissures opened and one of them was right next to some houses. Everyone in Iceland and in many parts of the world who have heard about this have heavy hearts because we have been seeing the destruction of people’s homes right before our eyes and can’t do anything about it. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes. In this update, I will share w...

This episode is part of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024. The Wrath of an Elf Woman Scorned Even though this story is based in West Iceland, it starts out on the Reykjanes Peninsula in a small village. A group of men ventured to Geirfuglasker, known as Great Auk rocky island, on a g mission to capture great auks (a type of bird). But when it was time to sail back, they realized one of their own was missing. Rel...

Visiting Iceland in September is an experience that combines the tail end of summer’s allure with the onset of autumn’s charm. Here’s what you can expect: Previous Episodes About Months in Iceland January in Iceland February in Iceland March in Iceland April in Iceland May in Iceland June in Iceland July in Iceland August in Iceland Weather and Average Temperature Climate: September in Iceland marks the transition from summer to autumn but the temperature is still relatively mild. Temperatu...

Today is the first episode of my Folklore Friday series, where I am sharing fascinating stories from Icelandic folklore on Fridays throughout 2024. This one is extra special because tomorrow is January 6th and it is said that many magical things happen then in Iceland. Why January 6th is the end of Christmas in Iceland On January 6th, Iceland bids a vibrant farewell to its Christmas season, a day steeped in magic and folklore. Known as Þrettándinn or “The Thirteenth,” this day marks the culmin...