Stephen G. Rae
@stephengrae.bsky.social
Writer of folklore and Haiku poetry at The FolkLore Press; Druid, alias the Bard of Cumberland; contemporary artist; filmmaker at Land of Lore Films; tales in Cumbria Lakeland Walker magazine.
Pinned
Stephen G. Rae
@stephengrae.bsky.social
· Jul 24
📣 arriving 29 July 2025; available in print and ebook; online or can be ordered at your local bookstore:
"Folklore of the Lake District"
ghost stories, folk tales, nature lore, dialect, verse
bardofcumberland.com/folklore
#bookologythursday #lakedistrict
"Folklore of the Lake District"
ghost stories, folk tales, nature lore, dialect, verse
bardofcumberland.com/folklore
#bookologythursday #lakedistrict
#LancashireDay - The Holden Boggart would hang on a hedge in the shape of a rag and as people went by, would transform himself into a black dog, to terrify!
more: Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#BookologyThursday #folklore
🖼 unknown
more: Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#BookologyThursday #folklore
🖼 unknown
November 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM
#LancashireDay - The Holden Boggart would hang on a hedge in the shape of a rag and as people went by, would transform himself into a black dog, to terrify!
more: Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#BookologyThursday #folklore
🖼 unknown
more: Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#BookologyThursday #folklore
🖼 unknown
In Druidry, the year is divided into two parts: the Dark and the Light Time, a division marked by the two Solstices
#bookologythursday #druids
art: Druids cutting the mistletoe on the sixth day of the moon, by Henri Paul Motte
#bookologythursday #druids
art: Druids cutting the mistletoe on the sixth day of the moon, by Henri Paul Motte
November 27, 2025 at 9:58 AM
In Druidry, the year is divided into two parts: the Dark and the Light Time, a division marked by the two Solstices
#bookologythursday #druids
art: Druids cutting the mistletoe on the sixth day of the moon, by Henri Paul Motte
#bookologythursday #druids
art: Druids cutting the mistletoe on the sixth day of the moon, by Henri Paul Motte
Coming up in the December issue of Cumbria and Lakeland Walker magazine
My regular article on Cumbrian folklore, and this month: ghost stories
#folklore #ghoststories #Cumbria
My regular article on Cumbrian folklore, and this month: ghost stories
#folklore #ghoststories #Cumbria
November 26, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Coming up in the December issue of Cumbria and Lakeland Walker magazine
My regular article on Cumbrian folklore, and this month: ghost stories
#folklore #ghoststories #Cumbria
My regular article on Cumbrian folklore, and this month: ghost stories
#folklore #ghoststories #Cumbria
I've just emailed my MP to tell them what nature means to me and that I want it to stay protected. Will you take action too?
Tell the UK Government they must do better for nature!
I've just emailed my MP to tell them what nature means to me and that I want it to stay protected. Will you take action too?
action.rspb.org.uk
November 25, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I've just emailed my MP to tell them what nature means to me and that I want it to stay protected. Will you take action too?
Thank you to The Hidden History Channel for a delightful review of my "Folklore of the Lake District" book
#folklore #bookreview #booksky
#folklore #bookreview #booksky
Folklore stories and mythology: ‘Folklore of the Lake District’ - book review
YouTube video by Hidden History
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Thank you to The Hidden History Channel for a delightful review of my "Folklore of the Lake District" book
#folklore #bookreview #booksky
#folklore #bookreview #booksky
I'm currently writing a Folklore of Scotland. Here's a tale of the Faerie Cup of Mingary Castle. A magical vessel stolen from local faeries. It fills with whatever liquid the bearer wishes it to. Cheers!
art: Celelia
art: Celelia
November 25, 2025 at 8:33 AM
I'm currently writing a Folklore of Scotland. Here's a tale of the Faerie Cup of Mingary Castle. A magical vessel stolen from local faeries. It fills with whatever liquid the bearer wishes it to. Cheers!
art: Celelia
art: Celelia
Reposted by Stephen G. Rae
📢 BREAKING: The Roanhead planning application has been rejected!
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the campaign and helped spread the word about our work to fight this proposal. We couldn't have done it without your voices. Your actions have led to this big win.
#Cumbria #LakeDistrict
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the campaign and helped spread the word about our work to fight this proposal. We couldn't have done it without your voices. Your actions have led to this big win.
#Cumbria #LakeDistrict
November 25, 2025 at 6:59 AM
📢 BREAKING: The Roanhead planning application has been rejected!
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the campaign and helped spread the word about our work to fight this proposal. We couldn't have done it without your voices. Your actions have led to this big win.
#Cumbria #LakeDistrict
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the campaign and helped spread the word about our work to fight this proposal. We couldn't have done it without your voices. Your actions have led to this big win.
#Cumbria #LakeDistrict
Reposted by Stephen G. Rae
Victory as planning permission for a resort at Roanhead is denied, safeguarding ecological sites and cherished landscapes for future generations! Read more here: https://loom.ly/EsHgbCk
Well done 👏 to everyone involved in this wonderful result!
#saveroanhead #landscapematters #natterjacktoads
Well done 👏 to everyone involved in this wonderful result!
#saveroanhead #landscapematters #natterjacktoads
November 25, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Victory as planning permission for a resort at Roanhead is denied, safeguarding ecological sites and cherished landscapes for future generations! Read more here: https://loom.ly/EsHgbCk
Well done 👏 to everyone involved in this wonderful result!
#saveroanhead #landscapematters #natterjacktoads
Well done 👏 to everyone involved in this wonderful result!
#saveroanhead #landscapematters #natterjacktoads
A very "Happy Birthday" to the Big Yin, Billy Connolly #botd 1942
I met Billy once in The Whistlers Mother, Byers Road, Glasgow while studying at Glasgow University for my Botany degree. A real gent with many a tall tale
art: 'Big Yin' by Rachel Maclean
I met Billy once in The Whistlers Mother, Byers Road, Glasgow while studying at Glasgow University for my Botany degree. A real gent with many a tall tale
art: 'Big Yin' by Rachel Maclean
November 24, 2025 at 10:25 AM
A very "Happy Birthday" to the Big Yin, Billy Connolly #botd 1942
I met Billy once in The Whistlers Mother, Byers Road, Glasgow while studying at Glasgow University for my Botany degree. A real gent with many a tall tale
art: 'Big Yin' by Rachel Maclean
I met Billy once in The Whistlers Mother, Byers Road, Glasgow while studying at Glasgow University for my Botany degree. A real gent with many a tall tale
art: 'Big Yin' by Rachel Maclean
'Cernunnos the Horned God'
by Stephen G. Rae
Chieftain of the forest spirits;
Guardian of wild animals;
the Tree Shepherd;
Master of the House, underneath.
He comforts souls, on their journey to The Otherworld.
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
art: Cernunnos by Emile Corsair
by Stephen G. Rae
Chieftain of the forest spirits;
Guardian of wild animals;
the Tree Shepherd;
Master of the House, underneath.
He comforts souls, on their journey to The Otherworld.
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
art: Cernunnos by Emile Corsair
November 23, 2025 at 10:26 AM
'Cernunnos the Horned God'
by Stephen G. Rae
Chieftain of the forest spirits;
Guardian of wild animals;
the Tree Shepherd;
Master of the House, underneath.
He comforts souls, on their journey to The Otherworld.
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
art: Cernunnos by Emile Corsair
by Stephen G. Rae
Chieftain of the forest spirits;
Guardian of wild animals;
the Tree Shepherd;
Master of the House, underneath.
He comforts souls, on their journey to The Otherworld.
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
art: Cernunnos by Emile Corsair
The word ‘dryad’ is derived from the Greek word ‘drus’ meaning oak (origin of 'Druid'). Dryads were originally oak tree spirits, although over time they have come to represent all types of tree spirits and nymphs.
art: Dryad by Lorenzo Mastroianni
art: Dryad by Lorenzo Mastroianni
November 22, 2025 at 8:01 AM
The word ‘dryad’ is derived from the Greek word ‘drus’ meaning oak (origin of 'Druid'). Dryads were originally oak tree spirits, although over time they have come to represent all types of tree spirits and nymphs.
art: Dryad by Lorenzo Mastroianni
art: Dryad by Lorenzo Mastroianni
I'm currently writing a Folklore of Scotland:
In caves below Culzean Castle, at the edge of the Firth of Clyde, faeries meet every Winter Solstice to plan acts of mischief for the following year.
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#faeriefriday #folklore #ayrshire
In caves below Culzean Castle, at the edge of the Firth of Clyde, faeries meet every Winter Solstice to plan acts of mischief for the following year.
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#faeriefriday #folklore #ayrshire
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 AM
I'm currently writing a Folklore of Scotland:
In caves below Culzean Castle, at the edge of the Firth of Clyde, faeries meet every Winter Solstice to plan acts of mischief for the following year.
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#faeriefriday #folklore #ayrshire
In caves below Culzean Castle, at the edge of the Firth of Clyde, faeries meet every Winter Solstice to plan acts of mischief for the following year.
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#faeriefriday #folklore #ayrshire
Here's a 1810 recipe for Fig Sewe:
chopped figs
bread cut into small cubes
boiled in ale
seasoned with treacle and nutmeg
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookologythursday #booksky
chopped figs
bread cut into small cubes
boiled in ale
seasoned with treacle and nutmeg
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookologythursday #booksky
November 20, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Here's a 1810 recipe for Fig Sewe:
chopped figs
bread cut into small cubes
boiled in ale
seasoned with treacle and nutmeg
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookologythursday #booksky
chopped figs
bread cut into small cubes
boiled in ale
seasoned with treacle and nutmeg
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookologythursday #booksky
on a winters morn'
Coniston Old Man's nightshirt
drifts back to the moon
from: often I stop and look back
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #poetry #lakedistrict
Coniston Old Man's nightshirt
drifts back to the moon
from: often I stop and look back
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #poetry #lakedistrict
November 19, 2025 at 3:08 PM
on a winters morn'
Coniston Old Man's nightshirt
drifts back to the moon
from: often I stop and look back
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #poetry #lakedistrict
Coniston Old Man's nightshirt
drifts back to the moon
from: often I stop and look back
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #poetry #lakedistrict
At Castle Rock of Triermain, Gynet the daughter of King Arthur and Faerie Queen Guendolen was sent into an enchanted sleep by Merlin as punishment for her cruelty
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky
art: The Sleeping Beauty by John Collier
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky
art: The Sleeping Beauty by John Collier
November 18, 2025 at 7:51 AM
At Castle Rock of Triermain, Gynet the daughter of King Arthur and Faerie Queen Guendolen was sent into an enchanted sleep by Merlin as punishment for her cruelty
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky
art: The Sleeping Beauty by John Collier
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky
art: The Sleeping Beauty by John Collier
upon Helvellyn
lichen-covered
boulders beckon
winter's snow
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #mountains #lakedistrict
art: Fresh Snow on Helvellyn by Elijah Walton
lichen-covered
boulders beckon
winter's snow
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #mountains #lakedistrict
art: Fresh Snow on Helvellyn by Elijah Walton
November 17, 2025 at 8:08 AM
upon Helvellyn
lichen-covered
boulders beckon
winter's snow
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #mountains #lakedistrict
art: Fresh Snow on Helvellyn by Elijah Walton
lichen-covered
boulders beckon
winter's snow
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #mountains #lakedistrict
art: Fresh Snow on Helvellyn by Elijah Walton
Helpful house spirits are well known to the country folk and us Druids; they include Hob-thross, Brownie and Drake; their payment, just warm milk and porridge
more: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia ofworld folklore"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #booksky
more: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia ofworld folklore"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #booksky
November 16, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Helpful house spirits are well known to the country folk and us Druids; they include Hob-thross, Brownie and Drake; their payment, just warm milk and porridge
more: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia ofworld folklore"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #booksky
more: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia ofworld folklore"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #booksky
Today I'm planning a Winter Solstice event. Part of the Solstice tradition is to bring evergreens into the home. They are an important symbol of the continuity of life, protection and future prosperity.
November 16, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Today I'm planning a Winter Solstice event. Part of the Solstice tradition is to bring evergreens into the home. They are an important symbol of the continuity of life, protection and future prosperity.
Cat Bells is one of our most popular Fells, its name may derive from 'cat bields', shelter of the wildcat; sadly extinct in the region since the 16th century
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#caturday #folklore #lakedistrict
📷 Tony Hamblin
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#caturday #folklore #lakedistrict
📷 Tony Hamblin
November 15, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Cat Bells is one of our most popular Fells, its name may derive from 'cat bields', shelter of the wildcat; sadly extinct in the region since the 16th century
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#caturday #folklore #lakedistrict
📷 Tony Hamblin
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#caturday #folklore #lakedistrict
📷 Tony Hamblin
Elf-struck, means to have taken ill having been shot by an elven arrow. In lore, elves got the arrows from faeries, who got them from mermaids
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookwormsat #booksky
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookwormsat #booksky
November 15, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Elf-struck, means to have taken ill having been shot by an elven arrow. In lore, elves got the arrows from faeries, who got them from mermaids
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookwormsat #booksky
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookwormsat #booksky
I'm currently writing a Folklore of Scotland, so here's a tale courtesy of my late grandmother, Cicely Anderson - in 1850 a hawthorn tree halted the widening of the road between Glenluce and Newton Stewart because it was 'faerie property'.
art: Yuliya Litvinova
art: Yuliya Litvinova
November 14, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I'm currently writing a Folklore of Scotland, so here's a tale courtesy of my late grandmother, Cicely Anderson - in 1850 a hawthorn tree halted the widening of the road between Glenluce and Newton Stewart because it was 'faerie property'.
art: Yuliya Litvinova
art: Yuliya Litvinova
In Cumbrian dialects, 'neet hawk' is nightjar
it was believed, nightjar suck milk from a goat's teats at night, hence the nickname 'goatsucker'
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
it was believed, nightjar suck milk from a goat's teats at night, hence the nickname 'goatsucker'
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
November 13, 2025 at 12:37 PM
In Cumbrian dialects, 'neet hawk' is nightjar
it was believed, nightjar suck milk from a goat's teats at night, hence the nickname 'goatsucker'
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
it was believed, nightjar suck milk from a goat's teats at night, hence the nickname 'goatsucker'
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
The White Dobbie of Furness
there's a local ghost story of the White Dobbie who walks the road between Bardsea and Rampside with his companion a white hare
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookologythursday #booksky
there's a local ghost story of the White Dobbie who walks the road between Bardsea and Rampside with his companion a white hare
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookologythursday #booksky
November 13, 2025 at 9:56 AM
The White Dobbie of Furness
there's a local ghost story of the White Dobbie who walks the road between Bardsea and Rampside with his companion a white hare
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookologythursday #booksky
there's a local ghost story of the White Dobbie who walks the road between Bardsea and Rampside with his companion a white hare
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookologythursday #booksky
In Cumbrian dialects, chatterhen or chitty is wren (chitty is also a cat)
it's the King of Birds; in superstition, if you harm it or its nest you will die from a lightning strike!
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky
it's the King of Birds; in superstition, if you harm it or its nest you will die from a lightning strike!
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky
November 12, 2025 at 7:59 AM
In Cumbrian dialects, chatterhen or chitty is wren (chitty is also a cat)
it's the King of Birds; in superstition, if you harm it or its nest you will die from a lightning strike!
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky
it's the King of Birds; in superstition, if you harm it or its nest you will die from a lightning strike!
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky