6:00 - 7:00
Explore the folklore, mythology, and cultural meanings behind plants both familiar and strange with Varla Ventura. Drawing from a wide range of historical and literary sources, Ventura uncovers the magical associations, superstitions, and symbolic power of plants across cultures and time periods. This engaging talk invites you to see the natural world through a more mysterious lens, where botany and storytelling intertwine.
About the Author
Varla Ventura is a writer and folklorist known for her work on the supernatural, mythology, and the curious corners of cultural history. She is the author of several books, including Enchanted Plants, Fairies, Pookas, and Changelings, and Banshees, Werewolves, and Vampires. Ventura’s work blends rigorous research with a love of the strange and uncanny, making her a compelling voice in modern folklore writing.