iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 14h

One of the few examples of a walking mummy in Egyptian folklore is when the sorcerer hero Setne breaks into the tomb of Prince Naneferkaptah to steal the magical Book of Thoth. The Book's power lets Naneferkaptah's spirit animate his own corpse to confront the grave robber. #WyrdWednesday

Photo of an Egyptian mummy in the Biblioteca Museu Víctor Balaguer, located in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain.

1185

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 19h

In Norse folklore, draugr are malevolent animated corpses that savagely attack anyone who disturbs their burial mounds. They are envious of the living, yearning for life's simple pleasures, and can curse their enemies. The draugr inspired J. R. R. Tolkien's barrow-wights. 🎨Kim Holm #WyrdWednesday

A bloodthirsty draugr prepares to attack with his battle axe. Image by Kim Diaz Holm.

2296

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 22h

In Welsh Arthurian folklore, Peredur (the Welsh version of Sir Percival) battles a man in rusty armor who rises from under a stone slab that was lying on a hill. As pre-Christian Britains were often placed in megalithic tombs, the man is implied to be some ancient undead. 🎨Mike Smith #WyrdWednesday

A British megalith with a stone slab at dusk. Photograph by Mike Smith.

2385

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Gef was allegedly a talking mongoose who inhabited the farmhouse of the Irving family on the Isle of Man in the 1930s. At different times, Gef claimed to be an "extra-extra-clever mongoose" or an "earthbound spirit." The story was extensively covered by the 1930s British tabloids. #FairyTaleTuesday

A supposed sketch of Gef the Talking Mongoose, drawn by George Scott in 1936.

121

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

In English folklore, the first creature buried in a churchyard becomes a "church grim" - a ghost who serves as that church's guardian. In order to avoid forcing a human spirit to shoulder this burden, a dog would often be buried under the church's cornerstone. 🎨Iren Horrors #FairyTaleTuesday

A church grim patrols its churchyard at night. Illustration by Iren Horrors.

120

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The oldest living being in Wales is a 3,000-year-old yew tree in the churchyard of Llangernyw village. Nearby are two equally ancient standing stones. On Halloween and July 31st, the Angelystor (a dark spirit) appears by the tree to announce which villagers will die soon. #FairyTaleTuesday

Photo of the ancient yew tree in the churchyard of the village of Llangernyw, Wales.

12712

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

In Greek mythology, when Odysseus enters the Underworld to find the prophet Tiresias, he sacrifices a ram and a ewe. The dead come forth, eager to drink the sheep's blood. However, Odysseus refuses to let any other shade approach until Tiresias drinks and delivers his prophecy. #MythologyMonday

The dead prophet Tiresias appears to Odysseus. Image by Johann Heinrich Füssli.

142

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

In Welsh folklore, corpse candles are strange lights that flit around the home of someone fated to die or travel the path that the person's body will take to the cemetery. Sometimes they stop to hover over where the grave will be dug. Corpse candles vanish if approached. #MythologyMonday

Old British woodcut of a traveler seeing a corpse candle.

1185

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Carew Castle in Wales is supposedly haunted by the ghost of the Carew Ape. The ape was brought from Africa by the evil 17th-century explorer Sir Roland Rhys, who trained it to attack his enemies. Eventually, the Carew Ape turned on its evil master and killed him. 🎨Mick Lobb #MythologyMonday

Carew Castle as seen from the river. Photograph by Mick Lobb.

100

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The pwca is the black-furred Welsh version of the pooka - a forest goblin trickster. Sometimes a pwca uses a magic candle to lead travelers off the path, and other times a pwca transforms into a black animal, such a horse, and entices travelers to chase it. 🎨Tony DiTerlizzi #FolkloreSunday

A black-furred pwca in a tree. Illustration by Tony DiTerlizzi.

1103

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The Gwrach y Rhibyn is a malevolent spirit in Welsh folklore that resembles an old hag with leathery wings. At night, she goes to the window of a person about to die to call their name, or travels invisibly beside them and utters her cry when they approach a stream or crossroads. #FolkloreSunday

A spectral hag confronts two travellers in Wales. An illustration by T. H. Thomas.

190

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Fastback - the third Flash parody from DC Comics who's a turtle (after the Terrific Whatzit and Crash).

110

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

"The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers: Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!" - William Wordsworth, "The World Is Too Much With Us" #BookWormSat #BookChatWeekly

The full "The World Is Too Much With Us" poem by William Wordsworth

192

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

"This day was only the first of many similar ones for the emancipated Mole, each of them longer and full of interest as the ripening summer moved onward. He learnt to swim and to row, and entered into the joy of running water." - Kenneth Grahame, "The Wind in the Willows" 🎨Chris Dunn #BookWormSat

Mole and Rat enjoy the River together. An illustration by Chris Dunn for "The Wind in the Willows."

1262

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

"Clarke [saw] the path from his father’s house had led him into an undiscovered country, and he was wondering at the strangeness of it all.... The wood was hushed, and for a moment he stood face to face with a presence neither man nor beast." - Arthur Machen, "The Great God Pan" #BookWormSat

The great god Pan plays music in a field. Image by Carlos Schwabe.

1336

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The snoligoster is a fearsome critter of American tall tales that dwells in the swamps of the American south, especially around Lake Okeechobee. It resembles a legless furry alligator with a back spike and a propellor tail. Victims are stored on the spike until the monster is hungry. #WyrdWednesday

A savage snoligoster prowls its swamp. Illustration by Richard Svennson.

1154

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Cadborosaurus is a sea serpent with a horse-like head reported around Vancouver Island, BC - most famously at Cadboro Bay, Victoria. Various people have claimed that various carcasses that have washed ashore are Cadborosaurus; they usually turn out to be whales or sharks. #WyrdWednesday

Cadborosaurus rises out of the water off the coast of Vancouver Island. Illustration by Susan Laurie-Bourque.

1203

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

"On the bank of a broad part of the brook, where the water ran deep and black, was found the hat of the unfortunate Ichabod Crane, and close beside it a shattered pumpkin.... [His body] was not to be discovered." - Washington Irving, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" #FairyTaleTuesday

A shattered pumpkin on the ground. An image from Disney's adaptation of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow."

163

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Ebisu is a Japanese god of fishermen, tradesmen, wealth, and luck. He was born without limbs, so his mother cast him into the sea. Though Ebisu eventually grew limbs, he remains slightly crippled and deaf. However, he tries to be always jolly and upbeat, and is the "Laughing God." #MythologyMonday

Statue of the laughing god Ebisu at Ebisu-Jinja in Kyoto, Japan.

130

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

According to medieval bestiaries, the fox is a cunning and deceitful animal. This beast will lie on the ground and pretend to be dead. Then, when unsuspecting birds land on the fox, they are devoured. This represents how the Devil appears harmless to lure sinners to their doom. #FolkloreSunday

A fox lays a trap for birds. Illustrations from the Rochester Bestiary (a 13th-century European bestiary).

191

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Reynard the Fox was a prominent figure in medieval European folktales, a trickster and everyman. He would bedevil other anthropomorphic animals, frequently mocking the nobility, clergy, and other authority figures. However, Reynard's main enemy was his uncle, the wolf Isengrim. #FolkloreSunday

Reynard the Fox proudly brandishes his banner in front of a group of admiring animals. Illustration by Ernest Henri Griset.

2237

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you - digger, listener, runner.... Be full of tricks, and your people shall never be destroyed." - Richard Adams, "Watership Down" #BookWormSat

Photograph of a cottontail rabbit crouching in a field

1273

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"Uncle Remus might well have heard of [El-Ahrairah]. For that matter, Odysseus himself might have borrowed a trick or two from the rabbit hero, for he is very old and was never at a loss for a trick to deceive his enemies." - Richard Adams, "Watership Down" #BookWormSat

Photograph of an alert rabbit sitting on its haunches.

2305

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The divine embodiment of the autumn season 🎨Iren Horrors #FolkloreThursday

A horned red-haired maiden who embodies the autumn season, and is accompanied by a flock of sprites with fiery wings. Illustration by Iren Horrors.

2237

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Opora was a minor Greek goddess of fruit, the harvest, and the autumn season. Sirius (the dog star) fell in love with her, and his passion became so intense that it burned the Earth until Opora agreed to marry him. Sirius still glows every summer as a symbol of his love. #FolkloreThursday

A 4th-century Roman mosaic that depicts the goddess of the autumn, laden down with the fruits of the harvest.

1126

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

In Welsh mythology, the immortal hunter Mabon was stolen from his mother Modron as a child. He is freed from prison by King Arthur and his warriors, as Mabon is the only man who can catch the dog Drudwyn (who in turn is the only dog who can track the monstrous boar Twrch Trwyth). #WyrdWednesday

Mabon and Arthur's warriors hunt Twrch Trwyth. An illustration by Alan Lee.

1104

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In Greek mythology, Cronus became leader of the gods by castrating his father Uranus with a stone sickle. Though a violent entity, Cronus was also a god of fertility and the harvest, who ruled over the Golden Age of humanity (when all food grew easily on the Earth). #FairyTaleTuesday

Rhea presents her husband Cronus with a stone wrapped in cloth that she claims is their son. Image is an 1878 woodcut for the book "The Olympus or the Mythology of the Greeks and Romans."

100

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

In Norse mythology, the Hliðskjálf ("High Seat") is the god Odin's magic throne that allows anyone sitting on it to see and hear what is happening anywhere in the Nine Worlds. Normally, the only other person who Odin allows to sit on the Hliðskjálf is his wife Frigg. 🎨Lorenz Frølich #MythologyMonday

Frigg and Odin sit upon the Hliðskjálf together. Image by Lorenz Frølich.

120

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

In Welsh myths, Mabon ap Modron ("Son, son of the Mother") was stolen as a baby from his mother Modron such a long time ago that even the oldest animals of Britain (who are centuries old) don't know where he is. Mabon is eventually freed from his prison by King Arthur. 🎨Jen Delyth #FolkloreSunday

Modron cradles the baby Mabon. Image by Jen Delyth.

181

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

"'Till now,' said then the knight, 'I weened well, That great Cleopolis, where I have been, In which that fairest Faerie Queen doth dwell, The fairest city was that might be seen; And that bright tower all built of crystal clean.'" - Edmund Spenser, "The Faerie Queen" #BookWormSat

The restored Castle of the Crystal on the world of Thra. Image is from "The Power of the Dark Crystal" (story by Sim Spurrier and art by Kelly and Nichole Matthews), a graphic novel sequel to Jim Henson's fantasy movie "The Dark Crystal."

1112

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

"By this the dreadful Beast drew nigh to hand, Half flying and half footing in his haste, That with his largeness measured much land, And made wide shadow under his huge waist, As mountain doth the valley overcast." - Edmund Spenser, "The Faerie Queen" 🎨Trina Schart Hyman #BookWormSat

St. George charges the dragon. An illustration by Trina Schart Hyman for a picture-book adaptation of Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queen."

2143

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In the folklore of Chiloé Island in southern Chile, an imbunche is a monster that guards a sorcerer's cave and hunts down the sorcerer's enemies. The imbunche was once human, but had their head twisted backwards and their limbs twisted around as part of a magic ritual. #WyrdWednesday

A statue of an imbunche statue in Plaza de Ancud, Chile.

2214

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The squonk is the most miserable "fearsome" critter of American tall tales. Its skin is disgusting (all covered in warts, blisters, and abrasions), and the squonk knows this. Thus, the creature hides underground during the day and at night is constantly crying as it hunts for food. #FairyTaleTuesday

The miserable, sobbing squonk. Picture by Richard Svensson.

130

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

The dungavenhooter is a fearsome critter of American tall tales that inhabits the marshes between Maine and Michigan. It resembles a crocodile, but lacks a mouth. Thus, a dungavenhooter pulverizes its victims to a fine powder, then snorts them through large nostrils. #FairyTaleTuesday

A dungavenhooter hides behind a bush, ready to attack its prey. An illustration by Margaret Ramsay Tryon for the book "Fearsome Critters" by Henry H. Tryon.

132

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

In the Goetia, Orobas is a prince of Hell who grants sorcerers control over others, as well as knowledge of the past and future, and protects them from any other evil spirits, as well as slander and gossip. Orobas treats the sorcerers honestly as long as they humble themselves. #MythologyMonday

The demonic prince Orobas, depicted with the head, legs, and tail of a stallion. Illustration by Louis Le Breton for Collin de Plancy's "Dictionnaire Infernal."

2104

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

"This is the lesson: great cities are like any other living things, being born and maturing and wearying and dying in their turn." "Only the bodegas stand open, sentinels of the City That Never Sleeps and Occasionally Needs Milk at Two A. M." - N. K. Jemisin, "The City We Became" #BookWormSat

Manhattan at night. Photo by Marcel Germain.

1226

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

According to the Goetia, Caim is a Great President of Hell. He knows the future, and when answering questions, he likes to sit on burning coals. Caim also gives men the understanding of the voices of birds, fish, cattle, and other animals, and of the noise of the waters too. #MythologyMonday

President Caim of Hell leans on his sword. An illustration by Louis Le Breton for Jacques Collin de Plancy's "Dictionnaire Infernal."

163

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

In the Goetia, Amdusias is a mighty duke of Hell. He is in charge of Hell's cacophonous music, and his presence is announced by invisible trumpets. Amdusias can produce any music he desires, cause trees to bend, and create thunder. His voice is heard during storms. 🎨Louis Le Breton #FolkloreSunday

Duke Amdusias being depicted with a unicorn head and claws, and surrounded by trumpets. An illustration by Louis Le Breton for Jacques Collin de Plancy's "Dictionnaire Infernal."

252

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

"Films are for everyone, collective, generous, with children cheering when the cavalry arrives. But your books are selfish. Solitary. Some can't even be read. A person who's interested only in books doesn't need other people; that frightens me." - Arturo Pérez-Reverte, "The Club Dumas" #BookWormSat

Cover of "The Club Dumas" by Arturo Pérez-Reverte

1151

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

"I was the type who looked at discussions of What Is Truth only with a view toward correcting the manuscript. If you were to quote 'I am that I am,' for example, I thought that the fundamental problem was where to put the comma." - Umberto Eco, "Foucault's Pendulum" #BookWormSat

Cover of "Foucault's Pendulum" by Umberto Eco

1171

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Tezuka also did a bunch of sexually transgressive psychological horror graphic novels, including "MW" and "The Book of Human Insects." "MW" is one of the most disturbing comics I've ever read, partly because he uses the same cartoony art style as in "Astro Boy."

150

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Mallt y Nos ("Matilda of the Night") is a crone in Welsh mythology who rides with the Wild Hunt. She was once a beautiful noblewoman who loved hunting so much that she refused to go to Heaven if there was no hunting there. Now she chases lost souls forever across the night sky. #WyrdWednesday

The Wild Hunt flies across the sky. A painting by Henri Lievens.

24510

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

According to the Goetia, Leonard is a demon lord who serves as grandmaster at many witches' banquets and orgies. He will mark each initiate with one of his three goat horns. In Leonard's spare time, he disguises himself as a handsome soldier to seduce women. 🎨Louis Le Breton #WyrdWednesday

Leonard holding his sceptre. An illustration by Louis Le Breton for Jacques Collin de Plancy's "Dictionnaire Infernal."

1183

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

According to the Goetia, Buer is a great president of Hell who commands 50 demonic legions. He teaches natural and moral philosophy, logic, and the qualities and uses of all herbs and plants. Buer can also heal all infirmities and provide sorcerers with quality familiars. #FairyTaleTuesday

The demonic president Buer, who resembles a wheel made of legs. An illustration by Louis Le Breton for Jacques Collin de Plancy's "Dictionnaire Infernal."

3114

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The Scholomance of European folklore was an infamous school of black magic located somewhere underground in Transylvania. Satan was the headmaster, and classes taught such sorcery as the speech of animals and weather control. In the original "Dracula" novel, Dracula was a student. #FairyTaleTuesday

Photo of a spiral staircase in a European castle

171

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

"He loops in crazy figures half the night Among the trees that face the corner light. When he brushes up against a screen, We are afraid of what our eyes have seen: For something is amiss or out of place When mice with wings can wear a human face." - Theodore Roethke, "The Bat" #BookWormSat

181

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The Transformers Wiki loves to compare the Beast Wars character Depth Charge with Batman, joking about their similarities (grim vigilante with a cape that resembles bat wings who obsessively hunts down a murderous lunatic). I wonder if the similarities are a coincidence? tfwiki.net/wiki/Depth_C...

020

Bevan Thomas @bevanthomas.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

While the Greek gods eat ambrosia and drink nectar, the Norse gods prefer a heartier meal. Every night the giant boar Sæhrímnir is slaughtered for food, and every morning he is reborn. Also, mead instead of milk pours from the udders of the great goat Heiðrún. #FolkloreSunday

272