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Hellebore Zine #11
Hellebore #11: The Animal Issue
Hares that are witches in disguise, ravens with prophetic powers, sacrificial wrens representing the god-king. Animals are often included in folk horror narratives because of their symbolic traits, or because of the folk beliefs surrounding them. Historically, animals have been understood as objects of cult worship, deities or devils incarnate, witches’ companions, omen bringers. They’ve also been re-imagined as hybrids, chimeras, and cryptids.
In this issue we tell tales of hares, moonlight, and madness, of half-glimpsed uncanny felines and the demon king of cats, of monstrous serpents with an appetite for destruction, of seemingly unassuming yet all-powerful toads. From the Isle of Man to the flatlands of Suffolk, the animals in these stories rise from the forest, from the field, from the waters, to re-enchant the landscape of these isles.
Edited by Maria J. Pérez Cuervo. Words by Elizabeth Dearnley, Timothy Grieve-Carlson, Justin Hopper, Mark Offord, Maria J. Pérez Cuervo, John A. Riley, Kristof Smeyers, Katy Soar, and Elizabeth Sulis Kim. Art direction by Nathaniel Hébert. Art contributions by Lorenza Daprà and Isabella Mazzanti.
In this issue we tell tales of hares, moonlight, and madness, of half-glimpsed uncanny felines and the demon king of cats, of monstrous serpents with an appetite for destruction, of seemingly unassuming yet all-powerful toads. From the Isle of Man to the flatlands of Suffolk, the animals in these stories rise from the forest, from the field, from the waters, to re-enchant the landscape of these isles.
Edited by Maria J. Pérez Cuervo. Words by Elizabeth Dearnley, Timothy Grieve-Carlson, Justin Hopper, Mark Offord, Maria J. Pérez Cuervo, John A. Riley, Kristof Smeyers, Katy Soar, and Elizabeth Sulis Kim. Art direction by Nathaniel Hébert. Art contributions by Lorenza Daprà and Isabella Mazzanti.
92 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 14, 2025
Hellebore is always on pre-order for me whenever a new issue comes out, even if I am about a year behind in getting to read them. I am a big fan of this zine that intersects folklore, folk horror, the occult, history and mythology in an accessible format whilst still being suitably scholarly.
Sadly, this issue I can only qualify as 'good', rather than my usual 'excellent'. The theme of the issue is 'animals' and after reading there were few essays that wowed me or made me reflect. There's nothing bad in here, more that there is nothing that amazes me.
Inside the issue we have articles about the folklore of hares, of cats, of wrens, ravens and worms, of toads etc. and there does seem to be a theme running through most of the pieces. Of animals involvement in witchcraft - as familiars, as transformed witches or as ingredients for spellcasting. There are stories of animals relationship to the fae, or as portents of some description. It seems pretty hard luck for the animal kingdom in folklore because you're normally getting blamed for something, tortured in spell work or your body parts used for some human purpose. Maybe that's what bothered me when reading?
The zine is beautifully presented and the art direction is always great. I found every piece interesting enough so maybe other people's mileage will vary here.
Sadly, this issue I can only qualify as 'good', rather than my usual 'excellent'. The theme of the issue is 'animals' and after reading there were few essays that wowed me or made me reflect. There's nothing bad in here, more that there is nothing that amazes me.
Inside the issue we have articles about the folklore of hares, of cats, of wrens, ravens and worms, of toads etc. and there does seem to be a theme running through most of the pieces. Of animals involvement in witchcraft - as familiars, as transformed witches or as ingredients for spellcasting. There are stories of animals relationship to the fae, or as portents of some description. It seems pretty hard luck for the animal kingdom in folklore because you're normally getting blamed for something, tortured in spell work or your body parts used for some human purpose. Maybe that's what bothered me when reading?
The zine is beautifully presented and the art direction is always great. I found every piece interesting enough so maybe other people's mileage will vary here.
November 30, 2024
This was my first issue of Hellebore magazine and I'm hooked.
Every article was fantastic and focused on animal lore. Hares, cats, ravens, worms, and the toad bone, which I knew nothing about.
I really liked that each contributor added the list of books used for their research so I have books to search for.
Every article was fantastic and focused on animal lore. Hares, cats, ravens, worms, and the toad bone, which I knew nothing about.
I really liked that each contributor added the list of books used for their research so I have books to search for.
April 3, 2025
Hey so I am kind of obsessed now! Hey so I love that they add sources at the end of the articles so you can research further! Hey so what if I said this is everything I love all blended together in a stunning magazine!
August 13, 2024
Caught up with late but another fantastic issue. I love Hellebore 🖤
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews