Shanon Sinn
@shanonsinn.bsky.social
Author and comic illustrator. Folklore journalism. Publisher of Black Cat Books.
A tarot spread uses cards in a pre-determined order to explore a question or theme. How the cards are laid out will give a reader their answers #FolkloreThursday
A clever spread by the Polish Folk Witch on YouTube exploring her fear of the Bent Neck-Lady ghost on The Haunting of Hill House.
A clever spread by the Polish Folk Witch on YouTube exploring her fear of the Bent Neck-Lady ghost on The Haunting of Hill House.
November 13, 2025 at 6:58 PM
A tarot spread uses cards in a pre-determined order to explore a question or theme. How the cards are laid out will give a reader their answers #FolkloreThursday
A clever spread by the Polish Folk Witch on YouTube exploring her fear of the Bent Neck-Lady ghost on The Haunting of Hill House.
A clever spread by the Polish Folk Witch on YouTube exploring her fear of the Bent Neck-Lady ghost on The Haunting of Hill House.
A well-known American legend claims blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil on the crossroads at midnight -- for musical genius and fame.
Remembered as the godfather of rock music, Johnson died at 27 years old #FolkloreThursday
Digital painting for an art class two yrs ago.
Remembered as the godfather of rock music, Johnson died at 27 years old #FolkloreThursday
Digital painting for an art class two yrs ago.
October 2, 2025 at 5:51 PM
A well-known American legend claims blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil on the crossroads at midnight -- for musical genius and fame.
Remembered as the godfather of rock music, Johnson died at 27 years old #FolkloreThursday
Digital painting for an art class two yrs ago.
Remembered as the godfather of rock music, Johnson died at 27 years old #FolkloreThursday
Digital painting for an art class two yrs ago.
Many Tarot readers interpret The Star card as connecting to the universe, creation, and divine guidance. Stars also appear on The Chariot card, on The Empress’s crown, and in The Hermit’s lantern. As pentacles, they have their own suit #FolkloreThursday
1909 Pamela Coleman Smith (colour U.S. Games)
1909 Pamela Coleman Smith (colour U.S. Games)
September 4, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Many Tarot readers interpret The Star card as connecting to the universe, creation, and divine guidance. Stars also appear on The Chariot card, on The Empress’s crown, and in The Hermit’s lantern. As pentacles, they have their own suit #FolkloreThursday
1909 Pamela Coleman Smith (colour U.S. Games)
1909 Pamela Coleman Smith (colour U.S. Games)
When travelling, protection against the Evil Eye is needed. Cast by an envious gaze or supernatural being, the curse of misfortune is both ancient & contemporary and spans many cultures. Glass eye beads are popular protective amulets #FolkloreThursday
1911 Poster Detail and 1925 Vancouver Province
1911 Poster Detail and 1925 Vancouver Province
July 3, 2025 at 6:15 PM
When travelling, protection against the Evil Eye is needed. Cast by an envious gaze or supernatural being, the curse of misfortune is both ancient & contemporary and spans many cultures. Glass eye beads are popular protective amulets #FolkloreThursday
1911 Poster Detail and 1925 Vancouver Province
1911 Poster Detail and 1925 Vancouver Province
A phantom ship is the spirit of a destroyed vessel. A ghost ship, on the other hand, is an unmanned craft adrift at sea. Ships can also be haunted, “hoodooed” (have bad luck), or may even be favoured by benevolent beings #FolkloreThursday
1882 from Arctic Adventures by William Henry Giles Kingston
1882 from Arctic Adventures by William Henry Giles Kingston
June 12, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A phantom ship is the spirit of a destroyed vessel. A ghost ship, on the other hand, is an unmanned craft adrift at sea. Ships can also be haunted, “hoodooed” (have bad luck), or may even be favoured by benevolent beings #FolkloreThursday
1882 from Arctic Adventures by William Henry Giles Kingston
1882 from Arctic Adventures by William Henry Giles Kingston
Ghost Plant is also known as Ghost Pipe, Corpse Plant, Fairy Pipe and Indian Pipe. The parasitic flower is associated with wolves in Coast Salish culture. Europeans with the ghost world. A folk remedy claims it can heal a broken heart after the death of a loved one #FolkloreThursday
A photo I took
A photo I took
May 8, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Ghost Plant is also known as Ghost Pipe, Corpse Plant, Fairy Pipe and Indian Pipe. The parasitic flower is associated with wolves in Coast Salish culture. Europeans with the ghost world. A folk remedy claims it can heal a broken heart after the death of a loved one #FolkloreThursday
A photo I took
A photo I took
Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote that eggshells were used in spells by witches. In 1584, Reginald Scot added that witches could, "Saile in an egge shell, a cockle or muscle shell, through and under the tempestuous seas." #FolkloreThursday
BreeAnn Veenstra, still one of my favourite images ✨
BreeAnn Veenstra, still one of my favourite images ✨
March 13, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote that eggshells were used in spells by witches. In 1584, Reginald Scot added that witches could, "Saile in an egge shell, a cockle or muscle shell, through and under the tempestuous seas." #FolkloreThursday
BreeAnn Veenstra, still one of my favourite images ✨
BreeAnn Veenstra, still one of my favourite images ✨
“A Dunrosses witch, becoming vexed at a boat’s crew, put a wooden cup into a bowl of water and sang to the devil. The water became agitated, the cup overturned, and the boat never came in” – 1885 Legends and Superstitions of the Sea and Sailors #FolkloreThursday
18th ce print of Thomas Watson art
18th ce print of Thomas Watson art
February 27, 2025 at 7:15 PM
“A Dunrosses witch, becoming vexed at a boat’s crew, put a wooden cup into a bowl of water and sang to the devil. The water became agitated, the cup overturned, and the boat never came in” – 1885 Legends and Superstitions of the Sea and Sailors #FolkloreThursday
18th ce print of Thomas Watson art
18th ce print of Thomas Watson art
"Among the hurtfull witches he saith there is one sort more beastlie ... for these usuallie devoure and eate yong children and infants of their owne kind. [They] raise haile, tempests, and hurtfull weather; as lightening and thunder" - Discoverie of Witches #folklorethursday
16th ce Olaus Magnus
16th ce Olaus Magnus
February 27, 2025 at 5:34 PM
"Among the hurtfull witches he saith there is one sort more beastlie ... for these usuallie devoure and eate yong children and infants of their owne kind. [They] raise haile, tempests, and hurtfull weather; as lightening and thunder" - Discoverie of Witches #folklorethursday
16th ce Olaus Magnus
16th ce Olaus Magnus
Many view Halloween as the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year 🌙
One 1900 reported practice of British fishermen was for them to catch fish after dark on Hallowe'en. Anyone who ate some after midnight could expect a year of good luck #folklorethursday
18th ce Claude Joseph Vernet
One 1900 reported practice of British fishermen was for them to catch fish after dark on Hallowe'en. Anyone who ate some after midnight could expect a year of good luck #folklorethursday
18th ce Claude Joseph Vernet
January 23, 2025 at 6:25 PM
Many view Halloween as the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year 🌙
One 1900 reported practice of British fishermen was for them to catch fish after dark on Hallowe'en. Anyone who ate some after midnight could expect a year of good luck #folklorethursday
18th ce Claude Joseph Vernet
One 1900 reported practice of British fishermen was for them to catch fish after dark on Hallowe'en. Anyone who ate some after midnight could expect a year of good luck #folklorethursday
18th ce Claude Joseph Vernet
Black Cat and That Witch Whispers! Looking good at Russell Books in Victoria, BC. I was happy to hear both were bestsellers over the holidays 🐈⬛
#booksky #vancuverisland
#booksky #vancuverisland
January 21, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Black Cat and That Witch Whispers! Looking good at Russell Books in Victoria, BC. I was happy to hear both were bestsellers over the holidays 🐈⬛
#booksky #vancuverisland
#booksky #vancuverisland
The first book I read this year was 'Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions' by Ed Zwick - director of The Last Samurai, Glory, and many other movies.
Zwick is a great writer. Some anecdotes are clearly meant for older readers though. There are notes on directing and writing in between each chapter.
Zwick is a great writer. Some anecdotes are clearly meant for older readers though. There are notes on directing and writing in between each chapter.
January 7, 2025 at 10:49 PM
The first book I read this year was 'Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions' by Ed Zwick - director of The Last Samurai, Glory, and many other movies.
Zwick is a great writer. Some anecdotes are clearly meant for older readers though. There are notes on directing and writing in between each chapter.
Zwick is a great writer. Some anecdotes are clearly meant for older readers though. There are notes on directing and writing in between each chapter.
Hope you are having a happy and safe holidays 🎄☃️
Grateful to be celebrating in BC. Hot Chocolate Porter out of the Krampus glass (Strange Fellows)! Alongside cobbler I made with berries I picked and froze, mixed with local farmed.
The tiny blackberries are native ground ones, the large invasive.
Grateful to be celebrating in BC. Hot Chocolate Porter out of the Krampus glass (Strange Fellows)! Alongside cobbler I made with berries I picked and froze, mixed with local farmed.
The tiny blackberries are native ground ones, the large invasive.
December 28, 2024 at 12:00 AM
Hope you are having a happy and safe holidays 🎄☃️
Grateful to be celebrating in BC. Hot Chocolate Porter out of the Krampus glass (Strange Fellows)! Alongside cobbler I made with berries I picked and froze, mixed with local farmed.
The tiny blackberries are native ground ones, the large invasive.
Grateful to be celebrating in BC. Hot Chocolate Porter out of the Krampus glass (Strange Fellows)! Alongside cobbler I made with berries I picked and froze, mixed with local farmed.
The tiny blackberries are native ground ones, the large invasive.
That time Santa and his reindeer met E.T. 🎄
A 1982 Victoria Times Colonist cartoon Illustration by Raeside shows an interesting blend of #Christmas folklore and popular culture.
A 1982 Victoria Times Colonist cartoon Illustration by Raeside shows an interesting blend of #Christmas folklore and popular culture.
December 25, 2024 at 3:13 AM
That time Santa and his reindeer met E.T. 🎄
A 1982 Victoria Times Colonist cartoon Illustration by Raeside shows an interesting blend of #Christmas folklore and popular culture.
A 1982 Victoria Times Colonist cartoon Illustration by Raeside shows an interesting blend of #Christmas folklore and popular culture.
Made magic cookie bars for a get together last night! A classic #Christmas treat from my mom’s old cookbook.
Mom only used caramel chips but I rarely found them. So I started using Skor Chipits instead. People seem to like them a lot.
Mom only used caramel chips but I rarely found them. So I started using Skor Chipits instead. People seem to like them a lot.
December 23, 2024 at 12:47 AM
Made magic cookie bars for a get together last night! A classic #Christmas treat from my mom’s old cookbook.
Mom only used caramel chips but I rarely found them. So I started using Skor Chipits instead. People seem to like them a lot.
Mom only used caramel chips but I rarely found them. So I started using Skor Chipits instead. People seem to like them a lot.
Happy #WinterSolstice everyone ❄️🌞🎄🔥❄️
This early 1900s Liebig card translates as: The Winter Solstice Festival among the ancient Germans.
I'm seeing parallels to Christmas in North Saskatchewan 🤔
This early 1900s Liebig card translates as: The Winter Solstice Festival among the ancient Germans.
I'm seeing parallels to Christmas in North Saskatchewan 🤔
December 21, 2024 at 8:36 PM
Happy #WinterSolstice everyone ❄️🌞🎄🔥❄️
This early 1900s Liebig card translates as: The Winter Solstice Festival among the ancient Germans.
I'm seeing parallels to Christmas in North Saskatchewan 🤔
This early 1900s Liebig card translates as: The Winter Solstice Festival among the ancient Germans.
I'm seeing parallels to Christmas in North Saskatchewan 🤔
Originally from the Alps region, Krampus is a horned and chained companion of Saint Nicholas. As good children receive presents, Krampus whips the bad ones.
Now known around the world, Krampus is often depicted as covered in black hair with a long tongue.
2015 Krampus movie art #FolkloreThursday
Now known around the world, Krampus is often depicted as covered in black hair with a long tongue.
2015 Krampus movie art #FolkloreThursday
December 19, 2024 at 7:15 PM
Originally from the Alps region, Krampus is a horned and chained companion of Saint Nicholas. As good children receive presents, Krampus whips the bad ones.
Now known around the world, Krampus is often depicted as covered in black hair with a long tongue.
2015 Krampus movie art #FolkloreThursday
Now known around the world, Krampus is often depicted as covered in black hair with a long tongue.
2015 Krampus movie art #FolkloreThursday
According to an old Scottish superstition, babies born on Christmas Day have the power to see and command spirits.
Another widespread European belief claimed that if your lamp went out on Christmas morning you would see the gathering ghosts of deceased family members.
#FolkloreThursday #ghosts
Another widespread European belief claimed that if your lamp went out on Christmas morning you would see the gathering ghosts of deceased family members.
#FolkloreThursday #ghosts
December 19, 2024 at 6:13 PM
According to an old Scottish superstition, babies born on Christmas Day have the power to see and command spirits.
Another widespread European belief claimed that if your lamp went out on Christmas morning you would see the gathering ghosts of deceased family members.
#FolkloreThursday #ghosts
Another widespread European belief claimed that if your lamp went out on Christmas morning you would see the gathering ghosts of deceased family members.
#FolkloreThursday #ghosts
Seattle from the airplane. That’s the Space Needle below the shoreline 🤩
Our last flight to Victoria took less than an hour after eight+ hours of flying and two layovers. I’m happy to be home for the holidays 🎄
Our last flight to Victoria took less than an hour after eight+ hours of flying and two layovers. I’m happy to be home for the holidays 🎄
December 19, 2024 at 5:34 AM
Seattle from the airplane. That’s the Space Needle below the shoreline 🤩
Our last flight to Victoria took less than an hour after eight+ hours of flying and two layovers. I’m happy to be home for the holidays 🎄
Our last flight to Victoria took less than an hour after eight+ hours of flying and two layovers. I’m happy to be home for the holidays 🎄
The central plaza in Guatemala City is getting more and more into the Christmas spirit every day 🎄
December 15, 2024 at 2:02 AM
The central plaza in Guatemala City is getting more and more into the Christmas spirit every day 🎄
Tikal was breathtaking. Grateful we were able to visit these ancient Mayan ruins.
Temple of the Jaguar, Temples I-III (the view from the Star Wars movie!!), a young Brown Jay, and the contemporary Mayan alter used for burnings during the solstices and equinoxes.
Temple of the Jaguar, Temples I-III (the view from the Star Wars movie!!), a young Brown Jay, and the contemporary Mayan alter used for burnings during the solstices and equinoxes.
December 9, 2024 at 9:56 PM
Tikal was breathtaking. Grateful we were able to visit these ancient Mayan ruins.
Temple of the Jaguar, Temples I-III (the view from the Star Wars movie!!), a young Brown Jay, and the contemporary Mayan alter used for burnings during the solstices and equinoxes.
Temple of the Jaguar, Temples I-III (the view from the Star Wars movie!!), a young Brown Jay, and the contemporary Mayan alter used for burnings during the solstices and equinoxes.
The Island of Flores is in full party mode this weekend.
The Christmas season starts with the burning of the Devil last night, which was explained to me as getting rid of the negative of the year for the holidays. Lights are up and traditional food is being sold on the street!
The Christmas season starts with the burning of the Devil last night, which was explained to me as getting rid of the negative of the year for the holidays. Lights are up and traditional food is being sold on the street!
December 9, 2024 at 4:35 AM
The Island of Flores is in full party mode this weekend.
The Christmas season starts with the burning of the Devil last night, which was explained to me as getting rid of the negative of the year for the holidays. Lights are up and traditional food is being sold on the street!
The Christmas season starts with the burning of the Devil last night, which was explained to me as getting rid of the negative of the year for the holidays. Lights are up and traditional food is being sold on the street!
Antigua was cool. It was once the Spanish capital in Central America but it was destroyed by earthquakes.
That’s the volcano behind the arch, Cafe Condesa’s haunted courtyard (exorcised in 1992), the Grim Reaper, and a book of folklore I found #Antigua
That’s the volcano behind the arch, Cafe Condesa’s haunted courtyard (exorcised in 1992), the Grim Reaper, and a book of folklore I found #Antigua
December 7, 2024 at 9:25 PM
Antigua was cool. It was once the Spanish capital in Central America but it was destroyed by earthquakes.
That’s the volcano behind the arch, Cafe Condesa’s haunted courtyard (exorcised in 1992), the Grim Reaper, and a book of folklore I found #Antigua
That’s the volcano behind the arch, Cafe Condesa’s haunted courtyard (exorcised in 1992), the Grim Reaper, and a book of folklore I found #Antigua
The next Guatemala #legend is of La Tatuana
This is an ancient Antigua story. There are a few versions. La Tatuana was a witch about to be killed by the church. On her last night alive, she asked for white candles and roses and a piece of coal. She drew a ship on her cell wall and escaped.
This is an ancient Antigua story. There are a few versions. La Tatuana was a witch about to be killed by the church. On her last night alive, she asked for white candles and roses and a piece of coal. She drew a ship on her cell wall and escaped.
December 3, 2024 at 10:12 PM
The next Guatemala #legend is of La Tatuana
This is an ancient Antigua story. There are a few versions. La Tatuana was a witch about to be killed by the church. On her last night alive, she asked for white candles and roses and a piece of coal. She drew a ship on her cell wall and escaped.
This is an ancient Antigua story. There are a few versions. La Tatuana was a witch about to be killed by the church. On her last night alive, she asked for white candles and roses and a piece of coal. She drew a ship on her cell wall and escaped.
The next is El Cadejo (the black dog)
People say he is real too. There are actually two dogs, a black one who protects and tempts drunks and a white one that looks over women and children. El Cadejo sounds good, but he licks the passed out man's lips and kills him slowly
#ElCadejo #GutamalaLegends
People say he is real too. There are actually two dogs, a black one who protects and tempts drunks and a white one that looks over women and children. El Cadejo sounds good, but he licks the passed out man's lips and kills him slowly
#ElCadejo #GutamalaLegends
December 1, 2024 at 7:05 PM
The next is El Cadejo (the black dog)
People say he is real too. There are actually two dogs, a black one who protects and tempts drunks and a white one that looks over women and children. El Cadejo sounds good, but he licks the passed out man's lips and kills him slowly
#ElCadejo #GutamalaLegends
People say he is real too. There are actually two dogs, a black one who protects and tempts drunks and a white one that looks over women and children. El Cadejo sounds good, but he licks the passed out man's lips and kills him slowly
#ElCadejo #GutamalaLegends