About the Author

Dr Georgi Mishev (b. 1982) is a Bulgarian author, folklorist and researcher specialising in Balkan folklore, Bulgarian folk magic, traditional ritual practices and the ancient religious traditions of Southeastern Europe. His work focuses on the survival of ancient magical beliefs, ritual customs and sacred traditions within the living folklore of the Balkans.Dr Mishev holds a Bachelor's degree in Russian and German Philology, a Master's degree in the Preservation of Cultural and Historical Heritage in Bulgaria, and a PhD in Cultural-Historical Heritage. His Master's research examined the material and intangible Thracian heritage of the important Thracian cult centre of Starosel, while his doctoral thesis, *Bulgarian Traditional Culture as an Information Resource about Magic in Ancient Southeastern Europe*, explored the continuity of magical traditions from antiquity into modern Bulgarian folk culture.Recognised for his expertise in Bulgarian folklore, folk rituals and traditional magical practices, Dr Mishev combines academic research with extensive fieldwork. His studies are enriched by direct observation, interviews and long-term engagement with folk healers, ritual specialists and magical practitioners throughout Bulgaria. This unique combination of scholarly investigation and lived experience provides valuable insight into the preservation of ancient ritual traditions within contemporary Balkan communities.Through his training in Russian and German philology, Dr Mishev has developed a broad comparative understanding of Slavic, Germanic and Balkan magical traditions. His research has also drawn upon the written magical heritage of Europe, including ancient ritual texts, folk charms and magical formulae. A significant influence on his work was participation in Professor Johann Tischler's seminar *Ancient Magical Formulae* at the Dresden University of Technology in 2003-2004, which deepened his interest in the Greek Magical Papyri and the ritual traditions of the ancient Mediterranean world. During this period he also began studying Hittite ritual practices, later incorporating comparative analysis into his research on Thracian religion and culture.Born into a family of traditional healers and trained in Bulgarian folk magic, Dr Mishev possesses both academic and practical knowledge of ritual traditions, folk healing and magical customs. He is also the founder and priest of Threskeia, a contemporary pagan tradition inspired by the beliefs, spirituality and sacred practices of ancient Thrace.His research and publications contribute significantly to the study of Balkan folklore, Bulgarian traditional culture, folk rituals, magical practices, Thracian religion, ancient Mediterranean spirituality and the enduring legacy of European folk traditions.