Crossroads Folklore Research

CROSSROADS FOLKLORE

So I've been doing some research on the folklore surrounding crossroads.
    In ancient Greece, the people used to place marker stones at crossroads to commemorate the god Hermes. In ancient Rome the god Mercury who was similar to Hermes was the crossroads guardian.
In India the god Bhairava, the older version of the god Siva, was said to have guarded the crossroads at the outskirts of villages and towns. Stone phalluses and statues of Bhairava's eyes where erected to represent him as the guardian of the boundaries.
 In Africa, basically every cultural subgroup has its own version of crossroads god, their belief is that the spirit opens the way, guards the crossroads and teaches wisdom.
      In more modern times, the crossroads beliefs are still in effect but have changed slightly over the years with the emergence of new cultures, like Voodoo. In Voodoo, (conjure, rootwork and hoodoo) the African American magical spirituality, they say that in order to achieve various skills one should attend a crossroads at midnight.. you shall be greeted by a large 'black man' (some call the devil) and he will bestow upon you your chosen desires in trade for your immortal soul.
     This is what is said Robert Johnson did, it is supposed at the crossroads that intersects highway 61 and highway 49, although Son House the blues musician who knew Johnson has said that it was in fact in Rosedale where the crossroads intersect highway 8, with highway 1... I trust in Son House's knowledge and believe it was in Rosedale.

In Europe there is also a lot of old folklore involving crossroads and demons, mainly in pagan belief.. and I actually have managed to source a Grimm's Fairy Tale given in full on the internet, that explains the Germanic belief about becoming the Devil's servant and also bears reference to musical ability!
http://www.grimmstories.com/en/grimm_fairy-tales/the_devils_sooty_brother