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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 10h

#NationalPoetryDay "Oak, Man" Twig, leaf, acorn; chlorophyll flows root, branch. Twig, leaf, acorn; hardened skin cracked, misshapen. Twig, leaf, acorn; cellulose heart Oak, Man. art: Treebeard by Stephen G. Rae

An ent walks through woodland with owls and birds atop it's head. Art by Stephen G Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 18h

#NationalBlackDogDay In Cumbrian lore, Barguest is a frightening spirit foretelling the death of those who see it, and generally appearing in the form of a large black dog more in my "Folklore of the Lake District bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ art: P.E. Travers #31daysofHalloween

The menacing dark figure of a black dog with eyes pierced through the dark.

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Mòrag is the name given to a loch monster believed by some to live in Loch Morar, Scotland. A cousin of Nessie, and the last of these aquatic dinosaurs more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #wyrdwednesday #Scotland

A 30ft model of the Loch Ness Monster built in 1969 for a Sherlock Holmes movie

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

#WorldRiversDay Brigantia was the tribal goddess of the Brigantes tribe of northern England. Her name 'High One' or 'Queen' is associated with water and rivers from my: "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ 📷 National Museums of Scotland

A sandstone carving of a Romano British goddess

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Dyfnwal ab Owain, known as the 'last King of Cumbria'. His body lies under Dunmail Raise, Grasmere. His ghost army guard both him and his crown, that was cast into the depths of nearby Grisedale Tarn more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" #SpookySunday #LakeDistrict 📷 Land of Lore Films

The ghostly apparition of an ancient army stand guard

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

#InternationalRabbitDay 🐰 In Cumbrian dialects, 'rabbet' is rabbit, 'borran' is rabbit warren. In lore it's a clever trickster, eventually outwitting its enemy or adversary. In folk magic, rabbit skin is used in fertility ritual more: "Folklore of the Lake District" 📷 Julian Rad #BookwormSat

A rabbit stretches up to munch on rose leaves

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Brownie is a little hairy household helper doing the jobs that most humans are too lazy to do. But never offer it a set of clothing or it will leave! more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklore #scotland #booksky art: Stephen G. Rae

A little hairy Brownie enjoying the autumn day. Illustration by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

#WorldSleepDay In Druid tradition, there is the secret knowledge of the bee: “ask the wild bee what the druid knew” during sleep or while in trance, a person’s soul leaves their body in the form of a bee art: Duncan Carse #Druidry

Illustration of woman flying with faerie folk and bees

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

'The Green Man - Autumn' woodland guardian clothed in an autumnal hue the turning season bardofcumberland.com/poetry/ #FolkloreThursday #Autumn art: Stephen G. Rae

The Green Man showing a cooler persona, as summer ends and drifts into autumn, illustration by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

#AutumnEquinox Blessings "May the warmth of the sun, nurture you; The cool waters, cleanse you; Nature's bounty, replenish you; The song of the trees, comfort you; The knowledge of the bees, guide you." ~ Druid Blessing by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

A successful harvest? Likely due to creating a 'tattie-bogle'. It's a traditionally a figure dressed in old clothes, used to discourage birds from damaging ripening crops, a scarecrow. In Scottish folklore, it's a type of goblin, menacing any human entering such fields. #wyrdwednesday #Scotland

A terrifying human-like being, dressed in rags and tartan and stuffed with straw, a scarecrow.

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love" ~ J.R.R. Tolkien; The Hobbit #TolkienTuesday #HobbitDay The Hobbit, 2012-14 dir. Peter Jackson

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

One of the most famous Lake District ghost stories is that of 'The Screaming Skulls of Calgarth' more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #SpookySunday #LakeDistrict 🎬 Land of Lore Films

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I thought you might enjoy my "Folklore of Cumbria" map, introducing characters taken from my folklore books bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #maps #folklore #cumbria ©️ Stephen G. Rae, The FolkLore Press

An illustrated map of the county of Cumbria, featuring characters from its folklore, by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#ReadAnEbookDay Renwick, 1733 and a Cockatrice took up residence in the ruined church. A local man, John Tallantine killed the creature using the branch of a rowan tree more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com #FolkloreFriday #LakeDistrict art by me

A terrifying creature with the head and feet of a rooster, and the wings of a dragon, the tail of a serpent, a Cockatrice. Illustration by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#NationalFoxDay 🦊 in Cumbrian dialects 'tod' is fox, 'thimble-flower' is foxglove, 'bummel' is bee in one tale, faeries gave a fox, foxglove petals to put on it's toes - the fox's gloves - to raid the hen house without being heard #folklorethursday #foxoftheday 📷 Alan McFadyen

A young fox watches a bee while the bee heads towards a foxglove

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

After it set, Kinich Ahau, the Night Sun became a jaguar and travelled through, or perhaps ruled, the underworld; known as the Jaguar God of the Underworld. The jaguar being the most powerful cat known to the Mayan people. #WyrdWednesday art: A.D. McGowan

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A right 'mizzlin' morning here in the south Lakes, but the spiders are putting on quite a show 'atter' is spider and 'atter-cob' is spider's web in local dialects #nature #language #lakedistrict

Spider's webs across gorse bushes, a heavy dew caught in the webs

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

"We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits: Who knows upon what soil they fed Their hungry thirsty roots?" ~ Christina Rossetti bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ art: Stephen G. Rae

A goblin sits on a mossy log smoking a pipe, he has that look on his face that makes you stop and think before engaging in conversation. Art by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A 'swarth' is an undead being from Cumbrian folklore, the embodiment of a soul on the verge of death. A 'waff' in Northumberland, and a 'wraith' in Scots dialects. #SpookySunday #SupernaturalDay art: Vera Violetta

A figure sits atop a tomb in a graveyard, a red moon behind

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Heard of the 'Loki Stone' at Kirkby Stephen Church? The carved stone figure resembling a horned devil, its legs and arms bound by heavy irons, and associated with Loki more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" #WyrdWednesday #booksky 📷 my most recent visit to the church

A carved sandstone block of a horned devil

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Reposted by Stephen G. Rae

Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Unicorns in Scotland? The "Beast of the Lowering Horn" on the Isle of Skye to be more precise more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #FairytaleTuesday #Scotland art: Stephen G. Rae

A white unicorn walking through a forest path. Illustration by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Step into the weird world of Lake District lore this #FairytaleTuesday Tizzie-Whizie is part squirrel, part hedgehog, and has the wings of a bee. It's often seen flying over Windermere more: 'Folklore of the Lake District' bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ 📷 only known image of T-W

The legendary Tizzie-Whizie flying over Windermere

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

"Every time I meet a tree, if I am truly awake, I stand in awe before it. I listen to its voice, a silent sermon moving me to the depths, touching my heart, and stirring up within my soul a yearning to give my all" ~ Mary Webb my favourite oak #lakedistrict

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The ghost of a woman devoured by wolves haunts the well of Lady's Dub near the village of Ulpha. Ulpha from Old Norse 'ulfr' meaning 'wolf'. more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #SpookySunday #ReadABookDay art: Arthur Rackham

A woman clings to the branches of a tree, a pack of wolves below

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Reposted by Stephen G. Rae

The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Land of Lore Films beings the folk tales of Stephen G. Rae to life as short film. The FolkLore Press publishes these tales in both print and ebook: 📚 folklorepress.co.uk youtube.com/@landoflore #folklore #shortfilm #booksky 🎬 clip from Natland Boggarts

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

"He is by profession a maker of brogues... discovered by the sounds which he makes hammering his brogues" ~ the Leprechaun by Thomas Keightley from my: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" bardofcumberland.com #BookwormSat #ReadABookDay art: W. Anderson

A leprechaun hard at work repairing shoes

A book on Boggarts and Goblins by Stephen G Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#SaveTheDate Kendal Book Festival, 12th September. I'll be there with all my folklore and poetry books Lakes Deer Fest, 10th October at Rheged. I'll be doing some storytelling for all ages, based on my "Folklore of the Lake District" book #books #folklore #lakedistrict

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Reposted by Stephen G. Rae

Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

In the Scottish Highlands, Lord of the Forest is the Uruisg (Urisk), a half human and half goat Nature Spirit, similar to a Faun more: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland art: Tianhau Xu

A faun, a goat-like Nature Spirit with human attributes walks in a darkened forest

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Autumn is here and there's a Lakeland tradition of carving Yew branches into unusual shapes as protection against the Six Evils: don't sneeze, you may expel your spirit! more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" folklorepress.co.uk #wyrdwednesday #lakedistrict art: Gerald Moira

A woman sitting with her spirit whispering in her ear

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The ghost of John Whitfield haunts Barrock Fell. He was a notorious highway man, hung, but not killed. He was left crying in pain until finally dispatched by a passing coachman. more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District" #SpookySunday #booksky 📷 Adam Ant

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

"Of what a strange nature is knowledge! It clings to a mind when it has once seized on it like a lichen on a rock" Mary Shelley, author of the Gothic masterpiece Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus #botd 1797 #FrankensteinDay

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

#InternationalBatNight 🦇 in autumn twilight playful bats; shadows on stone inhabit graveyard bardofcumberland.com/poetry/ #bookwormsat #poetry #haiku art: Tara Reed

Bats and a crow inhabit graveyard, under a full moon and blood red sky

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The next #FullMoon on 28 August is the #LynxMoon 'lynx' is derived from 'leuk' meaning light/ brightness; so the name of the moon is likely derived from its intensity, not the animal commonly known as #SturgeonMoon but other names include Dispute Moon, Grain Moon, Corn Moon

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

#WorldLakeDay Alfred, Lord Tennyson promoted the idea that King Arthur on his deathbed, asked Sir Bedivere to undertake the task of returning Excalibur to the lake it came from. That lake being Bassenthwaite more in: "Folklore of the Lake District" #folklorethursday #lakedistrict art: Walter Crane

A noble knight casts excalibur back into the hands of the Lady of the Lake

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Back to my hometown for #InternationalDogDay a Shuck was known to haunt the outskirts of Ayr. These black dogs from lore have a malevolent nature, but in one tale, Shuck was trying to save a child from a wolf more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #WyrdWednesday art: Barry Moser

A black dog carries a human hand in its mouth

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dragley Beck, Ulverston. The birthplace of Sir John Barrow; it gets its name from the dragon that in local legend, sleeps beneath it more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" folklorepress.co.uk #FairytaleTuesday #booksky art: Stephen G. Rae

A red dragon sleeping in a cave. Steam rises from its nostrils

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The Broon Man of the Muirs and the Mountains, the dwarf guardian from Anglo-Scottish Borders folklore more in my: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com film at Land of Lore Films #folklore #film #Scotland

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

An introduction to Boggarts read more in my: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" folklorepress.co.uk #goblins #folklore #film #book

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

The 'Red Lady of Woodland' is an apparition I witnessed in the spring of 2019; a female ghost attributed to a woman of vanity or a woman killed in a fit of passion more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" folklorepress.co.uk 🎬 Land of Lore Films #spookysunday #lakedistrict

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

#otd 565 CE, St. Columba encounters the Loch Ness Monster It happened when he was travelling along the bank of the River Ness; locals were burying a man killed in the river. Columba's own encounter also happened in the river, not the loch more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

"And a dreadful thing from the cliff did spring. Its wild bark thrill'd around: And a fiendish glow flash'd forth I trow, From the eyes of the Spectral Hound" from my: "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #bookwormsat #worldfolkloreday art: PE Travers

The shadowy image of a black dog, it's eyes glowing through the darkness

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

'An American Werewolf in London' released #otd 1981 art: Graham Humphreys

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

#botd 1872 Aubrey Beardsley, English illustrator and author. His black ink drawings were influenced by Japanese woodcuts, and depicted the decadent and the erotic. art: from Sir Thomas Malory's 'Le Morte Darthur'; The Climax

An illustration of the lady of the lake holding Excalibur aloft

Two woman in embrace, the second in the form of a flower

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It's #PoetsDay so here's my "Green Man - Autumn and Winter" woodland guardian clothed in an autumnal hue the turning season in his winter gown guardian of the wild wood is frozen in time bardofcumberland.com/poetry/ #haiku #poetry #greenman art: Stephen G. Rae

Illustration of the Green Man by Stephen G. Rae. A green face surrounded by twigs and leaves

Illustration of the Green Man by Stephen G. Rae. A green face surrounded by twigs and leaves, a blue background representing winter

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

#botd 1890, H. P. Lovecraft, American writer of weird, horror, fantasy, and science fiction. He is best known for his creation of the Cthulhu Mythos art: Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos Volume 1 by H. P. Lovecraft, 1975; original cover art by Bruce Pennington

A tentacle mouthed water being, a curious castle behind, an orange sky

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Fachan, the 'Dwarf of Glen Etive', he lives in the Highlands of Scotland and is easily identified by his one eye, one arm, one leg and mohican hairstyle more in my book: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland art: Stephen G. Rae

A strange looking creature with one arm, one leg and one large eye in its head

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Maryport Sea Monster: an elderly fisherman witnessed seeing a large hump surfacing from the sea, followed by an eel-like head on a long neck. It was dark brown in colour and approx. 30 feet in length. more from my "Folklore of the Lake District" #wyrdwednesday #booksky

A man in a boat is startled by a sea monster surfacing beside him

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

#InternationalOrangutanDay 🦧 #folklore of the Dayak people of Borneo say the orangutan was originally a human who pretended to be unable to speak and climbed trees to escape having to work #orangutan originates from the Malay and Indonesian words: orang (human), hutan (forest)

The portrait of an orangutan light against a dark background

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