I had a familiarity with the legend of the selkie—those alluring, coastal creatures of Scottish folklore—but soon discovered that the true lore of the selkie is far more intricate, tragic, and thought-provoking than I expected. Learning that selkies take the form of seals in the water was quite a revelation. I’ve always found seals to be quite adorable and never imagined them being associated with alluring, seductive beings in Scottish folklore. I was also struck by the stark

I have recently become fascinated by the Taniwha, water spirits deeply rooted in Polynesian mythology, particularly within Māori tradition in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Not only do they possess immense supernatural powers, but they are also known as shapeshifters, which happens to be my favorite type of creature (hello, Loki!). The Taniwha are often depicted as massive serpentine or dragon-like beings, but they can also appear as giant sharks, sea monsters, or even forms made of