Olivia
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oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
Olivia
@oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
340 followers 220 following 310 posts
Professional Storyteller. Folklore Lover. Believer in magic.
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oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
In Scotland today was Uphalieday, the last day of Yule revels! A King or Queen was elected by whoever found a bean hidden in a Twelfth Cake.
A coin was then put in any leftover dough and the dough made into scones. Whoever found the coin would have a most lucky year! #Epiphany #Folklore
🎨Maclise
A busy scene inside a large baronial hall. It is Christmas time and some guests have gathered by the fire. Others are coming and going. Everyone dressed in their finery. The room is filled.
January 6, 2026 at 2:20 PM
Reposted by Olivia
wunderkammertales.bsky.social
“If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”

(Shelley)

🎨 Wiktor Kriżanowski

#wintersky
A richly textured, icy scene in pale blues and greys. A dense winter forest fills the image — evergreens, bare branches and snow-laden trunks — but their curves and shadows subtly combine into the outline of a huge, half-hidden human face, as if the spirit of winter lies sleeping in the landscape itself. Delicate white frost traces the branches in the foreground, while mist and snowfall soften the background trees. The composition feels both natural and enchanted, suggesting a world where the forest is alive with ancient, seasonal magic.
January 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
In Ireland today is Nollaig na mBan: Women's Christmas, Little Christmas. A day when men would take over the "traditional" jobs of women (!) and women could rest! In lore, it was also when well-water would turn to wine although it was unlucky to observe...! #Epiphany #January
A white woman with combed dark hair in white blouse, blue skirt strikes a defiant pose, hand on hip. Her other hand is holding a clay pot by her side.
January 6, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Reposted by Olivia
wunderkammertales.bsky.social
Italy has a Christmas Witch. La Befana. She gives gifts to the little ones on the Eve of Epiphany.

But what does she do after a job well done, today, on Epiphany?

La Befana starts walking again and… - read more in our last #yulefolklore tale below!

🎨 Botticelli (detail)
January 6, 2026 at 6:25 AM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
The rugged majesty of The Mourne Mountains was the inspiration for Narnia.

"I have seen landscapes (in the Mourne Mountains) which...made me feel that at any moment a giant might raise his head over the next ridge." C.S. Lewis #BookWormSat
📷Nigel Killeen
The sun is low over the snow covering The Mourne Mountains. Only snow and sunlight is visible. Haunting, still and silent landscape.
January 3, 2026 at 1:56 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through.

Jules Verne

#BookologyThursday 🎨Louis Wain
A smiling white cat with blue petals around its bright yellow eyes.
December 18, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Reposted by Olivia
judybradbury.bsky.social
THE BIRDS OF CHRISTMAS by @oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social illus by Mira Miroslavova is a recommended holiday book. Based on a European tale about how the robin got its red breast, the art complements the story, drawing the reader in with its energy. #EduSky 🍎 #KidLit 📚👍 #Libsky @ebyrbooks.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Olivia
folklorethursday.bsky.social
That's the end another epic #FolkloreThursday ✨🐿️☃️🥂

Today's theme was "Winter and Festive Folklore” This is @shanonsinn.bsky.social signing off - your last host of 2025! Wishing you a wonderful Winter Solstice and a happy holiday season ❄️🎄🌟

1880 circa English Card
A 19th Century illustration of two robins making tea. It is snowy outside and there is snow on branches and on the ground. Three robins are on a branch huddled together in the background—probably chics. One of the birds is putting a teabag into a kettle and another is putting a twig onto a fire with a fire kettle in it. The bottom has text that says, “May the New Year Bring You Many Comforts.”
December 11, 2025 at 7:36 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
In Ireland on Christmas Eve, doors were left unlocked, the fire banked high, food and drink sitting on the table so that the wandering departed could return and enjoy the festivities before going back whence they came... #FolkloreThursday
🎨Lynn Bywaters
Frosty starry night above the mountains. Deer, foxes and swans in the moonlit blue water in which a starry cross glows.
December 11, 2025 at 7:30 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
Even scarier than Christmas Callicantzaroi is their companion the violent demon Koutsodaimonas with his oversized head, lolling tongue, hump on his chest and genitals always on display. Keep him away by leaving a sieve and broom by the
door and burn incense... #FolkloreThursday 🎨Edelmann
A goblin sitting on a large chicken.
December 11, 2025 at 6:48 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
In Irish families it was believed on Twelfth Night, the dead walked, and on every tile of the house a soul sat, waiting for prayers to take it out of purgatory... #FolkloreThursday
🎨Sedlacek
Lots of figures sitting on a large bare tree.
December 11, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Reposted by Olivia
folklorethursday.bsky.social
Feliz Navidad #FolkloreThursday ❄️✨🎄❄️

That was Crystal @crystalponti.bsky.social being merry and bright before the break! I'm @shanonsinn.bsky.social your elven host for the next one hour ⭐

Today's theme is "Winter and Festive Folklore”

1900s early German postcard
An illustration showing a small boy opening a door to Santa Claus. It is dark outside. Santa is dressed in read and has a sack over his shoulder and is leaning on a cane. On his belt is a large pouch partially open with dolls inside of it. There are two more dolls clipped to his belt.
December 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
A fly in the house at Christmas is considered a sign of good luck in British folklore... #FolkloreThursday
Large black fly on cracked white surface of a painting.
December 11, 2025 at 4:21 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
At midnight on Christmas Eve all animals are endowed with the gifts of speech and prophecy. Apparently, those born on a Sunday can speak with them... #FolkloreThursday
🎨Brueghal the Elder
Green paradise, all the animals together including cheetahs, lions, a unicorn, a camel, a pair of ostriches, a monkey climbing a tree, some human figures sit at a distance and a man is walking behind the camel.
December 11, 2025 at 3:55 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
In Scottish folklore, those born on Christmas day have the ability to see ghosts... #FolkloreThursday
A ghost pointing at some French Windows in a Victorian trick photograph or is it? The ghost is the classic white sheet which is transparent.
December 11, 2025 at 3:30 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
A legend tells of the choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral who gave sugar sticks to young singers to keep them quiet during long Christmas services. As a seasonal touch, he bent the sweets into shepherds’ crooks and candy canes were created... #FolkloreThursday
A little boy in Victorian dress with red stockings gazes into a window of candy canes. Snow on the ground alongside his red mittens and school book.
December 11, 2025 at 12:52 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
#FolkloreThursday
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social Olivia @oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social · 27d
Naughty children on the Isle of Islay were threatened with a visit from Crom Dubh na Nollaig (Crooked Dark One of Christmas). His arrival was heralded by screaming sounds coming from the chimney... #LegendaryWednesday
🎨Atkinson Grimshaw
Misty moody grey night with a pale full moon shining high amid the grey clouds. The streets are slick with rain and the trees are bare. A lone figure walks along the cobbled road. There is a large house with lit windows in the distance.
December 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
#FolkloreThursday
December 11, 2025 at 12:19 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
My first book tells a folktale of how robin got its redbreast. Robins are traditionally fire-bringers and robin fans the fire in the stable where Jesus is born, keeping the child warm and alive. A spark of fire burns robin's feathers - this red colour now a mark of its kindness... #FolkloreThursday
A feathery robin puffing out with pride on the book cover beneath the title The Birds of Christmas. Underneath written by Olivia Armstrong, illustrated by Mira Miroslavova.
December 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Reposted by Olivia
wunderkammertales.bsky.social
“Holle-peter, as well as Hersche, Harsche, Hescheklas, Euprecht, Eupper…, is among the names given to the muffled servitor who goes about in Holle's train at the time of the winter solstice”

(Grimm)

🎨 Valin Mattheis

#FolkloreThursday
December 4, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by Olivia
folklorethursday.bsky.social
Join us this Thursday (11th December) for the final #FolkloreThursday of the year! Our hosts will share your winter and festive themed folklore at the following times (GMT):
9am-1pm
3.30-4.30pm
6.30-7.30pm
Don't forget to include the hashtag! 🎄☃️🎁❄️
Vintage Christmas postcard showing a Santa-like figure dressed in red robes holding a young boy dressed in blue and with blond hair above an open sack. The boy is shouting. The text Merry Christmas is at the top and there is a background of pine trees and snow.
December 8, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Reposted by Olivia
willowwinsham.bsky.social
Perchta from Germanic folklore visits houses during the 12 Days of Christmas. She leaves silver coins for those who have been good, and slits the bellies of those who have not, stuffing them with straw. #FolkloreThursday
Illustration from The Story of Witches by Willow Winsham. Art by Katie Ponder. Showing Perchta, a hooded hag-like figure with long hair and hooked nose. She is holding a sword-like knife and dropping a coin into a shoe. There is a border of candles, stars and snowflakes.
December 11, 2025 at 11:51 AM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
Naughty children on the Isle of Islay were threatened with a visit from Crom Dubh na Nollaig (Crooked Dark One of Christmas). His arrival was heralded by screaming sounds coming from the chimney... #LegendaryWednesday
🎨Atkinson Grimshaw
Misty moody grey night with a pale full moon shining high amid the grey clouds. The streets are slick with rain and the trees are bare. A lone figure walks along the cobbled road. There is a large house with lit windows in the distance.
December 10, 2025 at 3:09 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
Zeus hurled mushroom seeds to earth during thunderstorms so to the ancient Greeks, fungi were the "sons of the gods"... #WyrdWednesday
Three mushrooms. The largest is red capped and bulbous rooted, the smallest is white and quite thin and the medium one is brown with little nubbley bits on the top.
December 10, 2025 at 2:58 PM
oliviaarmstrong.bsky.social
Belsnickel combined kindness with cruelty at Christmas. Torn and tattered, furred and masked with a lolling tongue, he travelled alone. Cakes & sweets for the good, and a thwack of his hazel switch to punish the naughty... #FolkyFriday
Creepy looking large male figure dressed all in furs with a fur mask covering his face carrying a large carpet bag over his shoulder.
December 5, 2025 at 3:22 PM