Bone and Sickle

BONE AND SICKLE explores historical topics related to folklore and horror. With acerbic wit and a scholarly penchant for the grotesque, rogue folklorist Al Ridenour delves into a wide but carefully curated range of topics illustrated by stories from histo

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Recent Episodes

Friends from Venus, Theosophists in Space

Posted July 22, 2021 • 00:39:18

The esoteric teachings of Theosophy, particularly those regarding Venus, were surprisingly influential on the tales told by flying saucer Contactees...

Hex Murders and Madness in Old Pennsylvania

Posted June 29, 2021 • 00:46:46

Cases of madness and even murder were associated with Hexerei, a form of witchcraft brought to Pennsylvania by German immigrants. Following up on...

Witches, Healers, and Hex Cats in Old Pennsylvania

Posted June 12, 2021 • 00:46:00

Stories of witchcraft and folk-healers in early Pennsylvania are surprisingly plentiful. In this episode, we examine the state’s German-American tradition...

Nero: Myth and Monster

Posted May 23, 2021 • 00:49:16

Emperor Nero’s reputation for wickedness and depravity had already attained mythic status within a century of his death, making him a prototype for...

Marvelous and Rare II

Posted April 27, 2021 • 00:19:31

We’re doing something different this time out.

As we are celebrating Bone and Sickle’s third anniversary on April 30, we’re taking a week...