Hilary R Sparkes
@hilaryrsparkes.bsky.social
Independent researcher and blogger: Caribbean religious history, anthropology, and things folkloric. Fan of The Byrds and the gothic. Posts about Warwickshire folkore at @warksfolklore.bsky.social
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Owls in Hawaiian Mythology, pt 1
Recently on Nature and Supernatural Nature, I’ve been writing about ground doves and the gi-me-me-bit, birds which both have a sinister reputation in Jamaican folklore. Owls in Jamaica have a simi…
natureandsupernaturalnature.wordpress.com
Owls can have a bit of a bad reputation in folklore. New post on my blog shows how they fare much better in Hawaiian mythology.
#Owls #Mythology
natureandsupernaturalnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/o...
#Owls #Mythology
natureandsupernaturalnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/o...
This week’s listening: “She Bangs the Drums”- The Stone Roses. Kind of had to be this week. My favourite song of theirs. Remember dancing to it at alternative nights at the Dog & Trumpet in Cov back in the day. #music
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD6P...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD6P...
The Stone Roses - She Bangs the Drums (Official Video)
YouTube video by StoneRosesVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2025 at 8:02 AM
This week’s listening: “She Bangs the Drums”- The Stone Roses. Kind of had to be this week. My favourite song of theirs. Remember dancing to it at alternative nights at the Dog & Trumpet in Cov back in the day. #music
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD6P...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD6P...
Graveyard lights are not just for Halloween.... 🎃💀🕯️
November 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Graveyard lights are not just for Halloween.... 🎃💀🕯️
Stained glass at the church of St Mary, Haseley
November 18, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Stained glass at the church of St Mary, Haseley
One of those "trying to take a pic of a heron while standing up to your ankles in water and not only does a gull photo bomb the shot but your wellies spring a leak" kind of days 🙄
November 16, 2025 at 8:31 PM
One of those "trying to take a pic of a heron while standing up to your ankles in water and not only does a gull photo bomb the shot but your wellies spring a leak" kind of days 🙄
This week’s listening: “Monstrance Clock”- Ghost. After all the kerfuffle of yesterday’s storm, a song with dramatic impact was only fitting. (And, yes, I had to google what a monstrance clock is) #music
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oa_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oa_...
Ghost B.C. - Monstrance Clock
YouTube video by GhostBCVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:12 AM
This week’s listening: “Monstrance Clock”- Ghost. After all the kerfuffle of yesterday’s storm, a song with dramatic impact was only fitting. (And, yes, I had to google what a monstrance clock is) #music
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oa_...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oa_...
Hate the darkening days so have been lighting candles in each corner of the garden to symbolically bring back the light
November 13, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Hate the darkening days so have been lighting candles in each corner of the garden to symbolically bring back the light
Reposted by Hilary R Sparkes
The Caladrius was a #bird who'd stand at the end of a sick person's bed. 🛌 If the bird met a patient's gaze, it would inhale any illness, rise to the sun burning that sickness away, & the patient would heal. But, if the bird averted its gaze, the patient would not recover. 🪶 #Mythology #Folklore
November 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
The Caladrius was a #bird who'd stand at the end of a sick person's bed. 🛌 If the bird met a patient's gaze, it would inhale any illness, rise to the sun burning that sickness away, & the patient would heal. But, if the bird averted its gaze, the patient would not recover. 🪶 #Mythology #Folklore
Holy Trinity church, Stratford upon Avon. I like the mix of shadows and light in this pic - even though they happened by accident 🙂
November 11, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Holy Trinity church, Stratford upon Avon. I like the mix of shadows and light in this pic - even though they happened by accident 🙂
The terracotta and umber tones of acer leaves
#SmallBeauties
#SmallBeauties
November 10, 2025 at 8:29 PM
The terracotta and umber tones of acer leaves
#SmallBeauties
#SmallBeauties
Reposted by Hilary R Sparkes
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
#RemembranceSunday #LestWeForget
#RemembranceSunday #LestWeForget
November 9, 2025 at 9:08 AM
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
#RemembranceSunday #LestWeForget
#RemembranceSunday #LestWeForget
Fungi* looking like it's been carved from wood growing out of a fallen oak in Priory Park, Warwick
*possibly chicken of the woods?
*possibly chicken of the woods?
November 9, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Fungi* looking like it's been carved from wood growing out of a fallen oak in Priory Park, Warwick
*possibly chicken of the woods?
*possibly chicken of the woods?
Fireworks here sound like a load of sodding artillery shells going off. We truly are a nation of animal haters
November 8, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Fireworks here sound like a load of sodding artillery shells going off. We truly are a nation of animal haters
This week’s listening: “Light Up the Night”- The Besnard Lakes. What with firework night and the Mourning supermoon. #music
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPp8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPp8...
Light Up The Night
YouTube video by The Besnard Lakes - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 8:08 AM
This week’s listening: “Light Up the Night”- The Besnard Lakes. What with firework night and the Mourning supermoon. #music
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPp8...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPp8...
I wear a poppy as my Dad fought in WWII and his dad was one of the "missing presumed dead" in WWI. But I hate the annual berating of politicians/those on TV wh don't, for whatever reason, wear one.
November 6, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I wear a poppy as my Dad fought in WWII and his dad was one of the "missing presumed dead" in WWI. But I hate the annual berating of politicians/those on TV wh don't, for whatever reason, wear one.
Sleeping beside human figures on a 16th century effigy tomb in the church of St Giles, Chesterton.
November 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Sleeping beside human figures on a 16th century effigy tomb in the church of St Giles, Chesterton.
This week’s listening: “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”- Bauhaus. Some classic goth to round off my #Gothtober listening (tho I’m more of a Max Schrek person myself).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy9h...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy9h...
Bela Lugosi's Dead (Official Version)
YouTube video by Bauhaus - Topic
www.youtube.com
November 1, 2025 at 7:52 AM
This week’s listening: “Bela Lugosi’s Dead”- Bauhaus. Some classic goth to round off my #Gothtober listening (tho I’m more of a Max Schrek person myself).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy9h...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy9h...
Samhain Blessings/Happy Halloween
Despite all the plastic and commercialism, It's good to have a time to acknowledge the spirits. For me, they're as much a part of existence as us creatures in the mortal realm.
Despite all the plastic and commercialism, It's good to have a time to acknowledge the spirits. For me, they're as much a part of existence as us creatures in the mortal realm.
October 31, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Samhain Blessings/Happy Halloween
Despite all the plastic and commercialism, It's good to have a time to acknowledge the spirits. For me, they're as much a part of existence as us creatures in the mortal realm.
Despite all the plastic and commercialism, It's good to have a time to acknowledge the spirits. For me, they're as much a part of existence as us creatures in the mortal realm.
Reposted by Hilary R Sparkes
The Clurichaun, a mischievous Irish #fairy known for his love of drink, haunts breweries, pubs, & wine cellars. 👻
According to folklorist Nicholas O'Kearney, "Any wine cellar known to be haunted by this sprite was doomed to bring its owner to speedy ruin." 🍷 #FolkloreSunday #Fairytales
According to folklorist Nicholas O'Kearney, "Any wine cellar known to be haunted by this sprite was doomed to bring its owner to speedy ruin." 🍷 #FolkloreSunday #Fairytales
October 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM
The Clurichaun, a mischievous Irish #fairy known for his love of drink, haunts breweries, pubs, & wine cellars. 👻
According to folklorist Nicholas O'Kearney, "Any wine cellar known to be haunted by this sprite was doomed to bring its owner to speedy ruin." 🍷 #FolkloreSunday #Fairytales
According to folklorist Nicholas O'Kearney, "Any wine cellar known to be haunted by this sprite was doomed to bring its owner to speedy ruin." 🍷 #FolkloreSunday #Fairytales
As Halloween looms ever closer, going for a gothic vibe to my Tuesday church pic - the churchyard of St Mary's church, Whitby
October 28, 2025 at 9:26 AM
As Halloween looms ever closer, going for a gothic vibe to my Tuesday church pic - the churchyard of St Mary's church, Whitby
“Belonging to Heaven and Earth” - new post on my blog looks at Owls in Hawaiian mythology
#MondayBlogs #owls #mythology
natureandsupernaturalnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/o...
#MondayBlogs #owls #mythology
natureandsupernaturalnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/o...
Owls in Hawaiian Mythology, pt 1
Recently on Nature and Supernatural Nature, I’ve been writing about ground doves and the gi-me-me-bit, birds which both have a sinister reputation in Jamaican folklore. Owls in Jamaica have a simi…
natureandsupernaturalnature.wordpress.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:39 AM
“Belonging to Heaven and Earth” - new post on my blog looks at Owls in Hawaiian mythology
#MondayBlogs #owls #mythology
natureandsupernaturalnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/o...
#MondayBlogs #owls #mythology
natureandsupernaturalnature.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/o...
Pic from yesterday: 23rd October and a bee still visiting my dahlias. Wondering how many more will visit before the frosts kick in🤔
#nature
#nature
October 26, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Pic from yesterday: 23rd October and a bee still visiting my dahlias. Wondering how many more will visit before the frosts kick in🤔
#nature
#nature
This week’s listening: “Dark Entries”- Bauhaus. Brings to mind Halloweentide last yr. Walking thru a passageway between roads, all quiet except the swirl of fallen leaves, and a strong sensation that someone was behind me even tho no one was there.
#Goth #Bauhaus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0On...
#Goth #Bauhaus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0On...
Dark Entries
YouTube video by Bauhaus - Topic
www.youtube.com
October 25, 2025 at 7:14 AM
This week’s listening: “Dark Entries”- Bauhaus. Brings to mind Halloweentide last yr. Walking thru a passageway between roads, all quiet except the swirl of fallen leaves, and a strong sensation that someone was behind me even tho no one was there.
#Goth #Bauhaus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0On...
#Goth #Bauhaus
www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0On...
A mooch to the shrine of St Amphibalus in St Alban's cathedral.
October 21, 2025 at 8:08 PM
A mooch to the shrine of St Amphibalus in St Alban's cathedral.