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.
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
In Cumbrian dialects, 'corby' is carrion crow
one crow is bad luck
two crows is good luck
three crows for health
four crows for wealth
five crows and sickness is coming
six crows for a death is nearby
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
one crow is bad luck
two crows is good luck
three crows for health
four crows for wealth
five crows and sickness is coming
six crows for a death is nearby
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
November 11, 2025 at 8:03 AM
In Cumbrian dialects, 'corby' is carrion crow
one crow is bad luck
two crows is good luck
three crows for health
four crows for wealth
five crows and sickness is coming
six crows for a death is nearby
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
one crow is bad luck
two crows is good luck
three crows for health
four crows for wealth
five crows and sickness is coming
six crows for a death is nearby
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
Today is Old Samhain (Old Halloween). It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Also the beginning of the 'winter revelling season' of drinking, storytelling and mumming.
📷 Mummers, Ireland by Ronan O'Connell
📷 Mummers, Ireland by Ronan O'Connell
November 11, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Today is Old Samhain (Old Halloween). It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Also the beginning of the 'winter revelling season' of drinking, storytelling and mumming.
📷 Mummers, Ireland by Ronan O'Connell
📷 Mummers, Ireland by Ronan O'Connell
In Cumbrian dialects, 'pyat' is magpie
one is for sorrow,
but two for mirth,
three's for a wedding,
four for a death,
five for heaven,
six for hell,
but seven's the divil's oan sel
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Georgia Cox
one is for sorrow,
but two for mirth,
three's for a wedding,
four for a death,
five for heaven,
six for hell,
but seven's the divil's oan sel
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Georgia Cox
November 10, 2025 at 10:32 AM
In Cumbrian dialects, 'pyat' is magpie
one is for sorrow,
but two for mirth,
three's for a wedding,
four for a death,
five for heaven,
six for hell,
but seven's the divil's oan sel
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Georgia Cox
one is for sorrow,
but two for mirth,
three's for a wedding,
four for a death,
five for heaven,
six for hell,
but seven's the divil's oan sel
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Georgia Cox
If taken ill you may be 'elf-struck', shot by an elven arrow. Read more in:
Folklore of the Lake District
by Stephen G. Rae
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #book #booksky
Folklore of the Lake District
by Stephen G. Rae
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #book #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 4:28 PM
If taken ill you may be 'elf-struck', shot by an elven arrow. Read more in:
Folklore of the Lake District
by Stephen G. Rae
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #book #booksky
Folklore of the Lake District
by Stephen G. Rae
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #book #booksky
Goblins, they come in all shapes and sizes. Read more in:
Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore
by Stephen G. Rae
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #book #booksky
Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore
by Stephen G. Rae
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #book #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Goblins, they come in all shapes and sizes. Read more in:
Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore
by Stephen G. Rae
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #book #booksky
Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore
by Stephen G. Rae
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #book #booksky
In Cumbrian dialects, 'yaak' is oak
During in the autumn months, oak will whisper the secrets of the Druids. Have You ever been sitting under an oak tree and heard the leaves whisper your name?
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#trees #folklore #Druids #booksky
During in the autumn months, oak will whisper the secrets of the Druids. Have You ever been sitting under an oak tree and heard the leaves whisper your name?
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#trees #folklore #Druids #booksky
November 9, 2025 at 10:02 AM
In Cumbrian dialects, 'yaak' is oak
During in the autumn months, oak will whisper the secrets of the Druids. Have You ever been sitting under an oak tree and heard the leaves whisper your name?
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#trees #folklore #Druids #booksky
During in the autumn months, oak will whisper the secrets of the Druids. Have You ever been sitting under an oak tree and heard the leaves whisper your name?
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#trees #folklore #Druids #booksky
Deep peace to You
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
~ Irish Druid blessing
#BookwormSat #Druidry
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
~ Irish Druid blessing
#BookwormSat #Druidry
November 8, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Deep peace to You
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
~ Irish Druid blessing
#BookwormSat #Druidry
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
~ Irish Druid blessing
#BookwormSat #Druidry
Shellycoat is a type of Brownie. Reclusive, he is often see by the water's edge, fishing. His name, from the coat of shells he wears.
from: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #goblins #booksky
art by me
from: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #goblins #booksky
art by me
November 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Shellycoat is a type of Brownie. Reclusive, he is often see by the water's edge, fishing. His name, from the coat of shells he wears.
from: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #goblins #booksky
art by me
from: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an encyclopedia of world folklore"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#folklore #goblins #booksky
art by me
Out now, in print and ebook:
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/
#folklorethursday #booksky
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/
#folklorethursday #booksky
November 6, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Out now, in print and ebook:
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/
#folklorethursday #booksky
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/
#folklorethursday #booksky
dead at forty-one
a life too short
autumn butterfly
from: often I stop and look back
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#Haiku #poetry
📷 by me
a life too short
autumn butterfly
from: often I stop and look back
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#Haiku #poetry
📷 by me
November 6, 2025 at 12:10 PM
dead at forty-one
a life too short
autumn butterfly
from: often I stop and look back
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#Haiku #poetry
📷 by me
a life too short
autumn butterfly
from: often I stop and look back
bardofcumberland.com/poetry/
#Haiku #poetry
📷 by me
Tonight's Super Full Moon is also the Woodcock Moon
In Cumbrian dialects, 'yarlip' is woodcock
Woodcock traditionally wait for moonlit nights before crossing the North Sea, to arrive sometimes in large numbers known as a Fall
#birds #fullmoon #supermoon
art: Owen Williams
In Cumbrian dialects, 'yarlip' is woodcock
Woodcock traditionally wait for moonlit nights before crossing the North Sea, to arrive sometimes in large numbers known as a Fall
#birds #fullmoon #supermoon
art: Owen Williams
November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Tonight's Super Full Moon is also the Woodcock Moon
In Cumbrian dialects, 'yarlip' is woodcock
Woodcock traditionally wait for moonlit nights before crossing the North Sea, to arrive sometimes in large numbers known as a Fall
#birds #fullmoon #supermoon
art: Owen Williams
In Cumbrian dialects, 'yarlip' is woodcock
Woodcock traditionally wait for moonlit nights before crossing the North Sea, to arrive sometimes in large numbers known as a Fall
#birds #fullmoon #supermoon
art: Owen Williams