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The FolkLore Press

@thefolklorepress.bsky.social

230 followers 200 following 96 posts

Publishing the folklore and poetry of Stephen G. Rae. Introducing: Folklore of the Lake District, and Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin. In 2026, books on Scottish folklore, and Elves and Fairies

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · Aug 23

Introducing: "Folklore of the Lake District" and "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" by Stephen G. Rae

Available in print and #ebook
folklorepress.co.uk

#folklore #goblins #booksky

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 1d

upon Helvellyn
lichen-covered
boulders beckon
winter's snow

bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#haiku #mountains #lakedistrict

art: Fresh Snow on Helvellyn by Elijah Walton

art: Fresh Snow on Helvellyn by Elijah Walton

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 1d

In Cumbrian dialects, 'tod' is fox

Fox is a spirit guide and trickster, and it carries a magical pearl that brings good fortune to whomever finds it

more in my "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#nature #folklore #lakedistrict
art: Fox Spirits by Stephanie Bayles

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 12h

In Cumbrian dialects, 'urchin' is hedgehog

the entire world was once a big lake, and it was a giant hedgehog who brought earth in it's needles to create dry land

more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#nature #folklore #lakedistrict
art: Hannah Kugelfant

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 6h

From: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin"

The Brownie comes out at night while the owners are asleep, to perform various chores. He may pull pranks on the homeowners if taken for granted, and he may even turn nasty like a Boggart.
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #booksky

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 3d

In Cumbrian dialects, 'broc' is badger

Badger is held in high esteem and 'brocan' means wise man. In lore, badgers protect against witchcraft and other evil entities

more in my: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#badgers #folklore #booksky
art: Lily Seika Jones

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 2d

In Cumbrian dialects, 'yar' is hare

a symbol of femininity and rebirth, and a messenger, moving by moonlight between this world and The Otherworld

more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#nature #folklore #lakedistrict
art: Adam Oehlers

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 4d

It's #AppleDay - Ents were the most ancient living creatures surviving in Tolkien's Middle-earth in the Third Age, and similar to the tree guardians of folklore - Oak Man and Apple Man

#TolkienTuesday #folklore
art: Apple Man by Stephanie Pui-Mun Law

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 4d

It's #AppleDay our original apple is the crab apple, or 'scribe' in Cumbrian dialects

it's a magical tree with the power of healing, and used by Druids to journey into The Otherworld

more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 4d

George Hodgson of Dent died aged 94. His longevity and long canine teeth sparked rumours of him being a vampire in league with the Devil. He was buried in the church porch with a stake through his heart

More: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #vampires #booksky

A vampire's hand reaches out of a coffin

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 5d

#NationalDayOnWriting

The 'Girt Dog' killed 400 sheep and lambs during 1810; described as sandy brown in colour with dark stripes on it's back.

> "Folklore of the Lake District" by Stephen G. Rae
info: folklorepress.co.uk

#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 5d

#NationalDayOnWriting

in Cumbrian dialects, 'hullet' is owl. A bird of magic and wisdom; a symbol of the divine feminine; of the moon; and light in the darkess of night

from: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky
📷 unknown

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 6d

As #Samhain approaches, the veil between this world and the Otherworld is at its thinnest and both our ancestors, and spirits can cross over. Jack o' lanterns are lit to keep the harmful spirits away, allowing all some #Halloween fun.

art: Tom Shropshire

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 6d

"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 Specral Hound"

read more of the Barguest in: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #lakedistrict
art: PE Travers

Image of the spectral hound of folklore by P E Travers

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 6d

"The Savages" are a race of goblins in Scottish lore most active around #Samhain

read more in my: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore"

info: bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #goblins #booksky

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 7d

"The Green Man - Autumn" by Stephen G. Rae

woodland guardian
clothed in an autumnal hue
the turning season

folklorepress.co.uk
#haiku #autumn #BookWormSat
art: Stephen G. Rae

Green Man - Autumn by Stephen G. Rae; mixed media art

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 9d

in winter's twilight
owls and Buddhas

from "often I stop and look back"
bardofcumberland.com/poetry

#booksky #poetry

Silhouette of owl perched on a branch in front of a full moon

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 7d

dew-drops caught
in the spider's web
a string of diamonds

dew-drops caught
in the spider's web
a string of tears

from: "often I stop and look back"
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/

#poetry #bookwormsat #autumn

Dew-drops on a spider's web, and in the background, an autumnal hue

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 9d

'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.

#cernunnos #mythology #poetry
art: Cernunnos by Emile Corsair

The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 9d

In Scots Gealic lore, the 'cait sìth' is a faerie cat, a faerie that takes the shape of a black cat with a distinctive white spot on it's chest

It features in the upcoming book "Elves and Fairies" by Stephen G. Rae
folklorepress.co.uk

#globalcatday #booksky

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 9d

It's #GlobalCatDay 😺

The Scottish Wildcat, aka the Highland Tiger.

A Wildcat dwells in The Otherworld, called Little Cat. It guards a vast treasure, and for any would-be thief, it transforms into a flaming arrow, reducing said thief to ashes!

#cats #folklore
📷 Tony Hamblin

Picture of a rather grumpy looking wildcat by Tony Hamblin

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 11d

With Halloween fast approaching, it's time to get out your Dobby Stone

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 13d

A local folk remedy to ensure a healthy heart ❤

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

Out now, in print and ebook:

"Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore" by Stephen G. Rae

Redcap is a murderous goblin from Anglo-Scottish Borders folklore
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #goblins #booksky
art: Leo D'Amico

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 14d

It's #BookshopDay 📚 Out now, and a perfect Halloween read:

"Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore" by Stephen G. Rae

featuring some 200+ goblins and goblin-like characters
info: folklorepress.co.uk

#folklore #goblins #bookwormsat

Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 14d

It's #BookshopDay 📚 so may I introduce you to:

"Folklore of the Lake District"
by Stephen G. Rae

come on a magical journey in folklore through the Lake District and its surrounding counties
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #magic #lakedistrict

The front cover of the book entitled Folklore of the Lake District by Stephen G. Rae

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