Three Ravens Bestiary #18: Djinns and Genies

After a bit of a blip, we're now back with an episode all about the mythology of Djinns and Genies from prehistory through to today!

Part of our Three Ravens Bestiary Bonus Series, we begin with our Western conception of 'the genie' - a pantomime creature, memorably played by Robin Williams in the 90's Disney movie, filtered through a century of fairy tales and family-friendly legends.

Yet, as you might expect, this slight cozy form of 'Oriental' spirit is very different to the 'Jinni' of early Semitic cultures, as discussed in a range of poetry and art, later addressed by Islamic scholars and critics informed by the entire chapter of the Qur'an dedicated to discussing desert spirits and acceptable forms of magical belief.

What emerges, as we explore these distinctions, is a series of parallels, including between the 'human' and 'spirit' worlds, between Muslim and Christian discussions of Otherworldly creatures, between types of Devil, and the ways that folktales and legends enable us to see ourselves through tales of so-called monsters.

It's a journey that takes us from abandoned ruins lost in Arabian dunes to the times of Geoffrey Chaucer, from Classical discussions of 'genius loci' to tales of pre-Islamic Soothsayers possessed by demons.

If you've been rubbing lamps and hoping to have wishes granted then you may have been barking up the wrong tree - but worry not: we've got advice for you on magic rings, fishing, and transcendental meditations that might well enable you to commune with a Jinn.

Just don't go expecting them to make all your dreams come true, as they're much more likely to ask you out on a date or hide in the form of a serpent than they are to turn your fantasies into reality...

Three Ravens is an English Myth and Folklore podcast hosted by award-winning writers Martin Vaux and Eleanor Conlon.

Released on Mondays, each weekly episode focuses on one of England's 39 historic counties, exploring the history, folklore and traditions of the area, from ghosts and mermaids to mythical monsters, half-forgotten heroes, bloody legends, and much, much more. Then, and most importantly, the pair take turns to tell a new version of an ancient story from that county - all before discussing what that tale might mean, where it might have come from, and the truths it reveals about England's hidden past...

Bonus Episodes are released on Thursdays plus Local Legends episodes on Saturdays - interviews with acclaimed authors, folklorists, podcasters and historians with unique perspectives on that week's county.

With a range of exclusive content on Patreon, too, including audio ghost tours, the Three Ravens Newsletter, and monthly Three Ravens Film Club episodes about folk horror films from across the decades, why not join us around the campfire and listen in?

Learn more at www.threeravenspodcast.com, join our Patreon at www.patreon.com/threeravenspodcast, and find links to our social media channels here: https://linktr.ee/threeravenspodcast

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