Stephen G. Rae
@stephengrae.bsky.social
Writer of folklore and Haiku poetry at The FolkLore Press; Botanist; Druid, alias the Bard of Cumberland; contemporary artist; filmmaker at Land of Lore Films; tales in Cumbria Lakeland Walker magazine.
Pinned
Stephen G. Rae
@stephengrae.bsky.social
· Jul 24
📣 arriving 29 July 2025; available in print and ebook; online or can be ordered at your local bookstore:
"Folklore of the Lake District"
ghost stories, folk tales, nature lore, dialect, verse
bardofcumberland.com/folklore
#bookologythursday #lakedistrict
"Folklore of the Lake District"
ghost stories, folk tales, nature lore, dialect, verse
bardofcumberland.com/folklore
#bookologythursday #lakedistrict
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
Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Natural England, The National Trust and Friends of the Lake District are among organisations who have objected to the plans.
It's time for Westmorland and Furness Council to do the right thing and #SaveRoanhead
It's time for Westmorland and Furness Council to do the right thing and #SaveRoanhead
Roanhead holiday resort changes catastrophic, campaigners say - BBC News
Save Roanhead says plans to keep holidaymakers away from a Cumbrian nature reserve are unrealistic.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Cumbria Wildlife Trust, Natural England, The National Trust and Friends of the Lake District are among organisations who have objected to the plans.
It's time for Westmorland and Furness Council to do the right thing and #SaveRoanhead
It's time for Westmorland and Furness Council to do the right thing and #SaveRoanhead
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
Reposted by Stephen G. Rae
"To have a raven's knowledge" is an ancient proverb meaning, to have supernatural powers
In a mythology from the indigenous peoples of the americas, ravens were once only white; they helped humans master fire, and were turned black by the flames
#WyrdWednesday #BonfireNight
In a mythology from the indigenous peoples of the americas, ravens were once only white; they helped humans master fire, and were turned black by the flames
#WyrdWednesday #BonfireNight
November 5, 2025 at 11:12 AM
"To have a raven's knowledge" is an ancient proverb meaning, to have supernatural powers
In a mythology from the indigenous peoples of the americas, ravens were once only white; they helped humans master fire, and were turned black by the flames
#WyrdWednesday #BonfireNight
In a mythology from the indigenous peoples of the americas, ravens were once only white; they helped humans master fire, and were turned black by the flames
#WyrdWednesday #BonfireNight
Tonight's #FullMoon is also a #SuperMoon and know as Beaver, Frost, Snow or Deer Rutting
Beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges; animals prepare for winter; the heavy snow that typically falls during this season; and moon phase can influence timing of the rut
Beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges; animals prepare for winter; the heavy snow that typically falls during this season; and moon phase can influence timing of the rut
November 5, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Tonight's #FullMoon is also a #SuperMoon and know as Beaver, Frost, Snow or Deer Rutting
Beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges; animals prepare for winter; the heavy snow that typically falls during this season; and moon phase can influence timing of the rut
Beavers begin to take shelter in their lodges; animals prepare for winter; the heavy snow that typically falls during this season; and moon phase can influence timing of the rut
In Cumbrian dialects, 'bullister' is blackthorn
Now, beware of 'faerie justice', never cut down a blackthorn tree, or faeries will burn down your house!
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#WyrdWednesday #booksky
art: Cicely Mary Barker
Now, beware of 'faerie justice', never cut down a blackthorn tree, or faeries will burn down your house!
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#WyrdWednesday #booksky
art: Cicely Mary Barker
November 5, 2025 at 7:40 AM
In Cumbrian dialects, 'bullister' is blackthorn
Now, beware of 'faerie justice', never cut down a blackthorn tree, or faeries will burn down your house!
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#WyrdWednesday #booksky
art: Cicely Mary Barker
Now, beware of 'faerie justice', never cut down a blackthorn tree, or faeries will burn down your house!
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#WyrdWednesday #booksky
art: Cicely Mary Barker
Reposted by Stephen G. Rae
In Norse folklore, mayweed was known as baldersbrår, meaning “Baldur’s eyelashes.” Named for Baldur, god of light, beauty, and purity, these flowers, with their lash-like petals, were said to symbolise his radiance, and the gentle peace he brought to the world. #FairytaleTuesday
November 4, 2025 at 9:31 AM
In Norse folklore, mayweed was known as baldersbrår, meaning “Baldur’s eyelashes.” Named for Baldur, god of light, beauty, and purity, these flowers, with their lash-like petals, were said to symbolise his radiance, and the gentle peace he brought to the world. #FairytaleTuesday
In Cumbrian dialects, 'thimble-flower' is foxglove, 'bummel' is bee, and 'tod' is fox
in lore, fox carries a magical pearl, that brings good luck to whomever finds it
more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#nature #folklore #booksky
📷 Alan McFadyen
in lore, fox carries a magical pearl, that brings good luck to whomever finds it
more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#nature #folklore #booksky
📷 Alan McFadyen
November 4, 2025 at 10:20 AM
In Cumbrian dialects, 'thimble-flower' is foxglove, 'bummel' is bee, and 'tod' is fox
in lore, fox carries a magical pearl, that brings good luck to whomever finds it
more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#nature #folklore #booksky
📷 Alan McFadyen
in lore, fox carries a magical pearl, that brings good luck to whomever finds it
more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#nature #folklore #booksky
📷 Alan McFadyen
in Cumbrian dialects, 'hullet' is owl
owl is a creature of keen sight in the darkness of ignorance, and will unmask those who would deceive you
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
📷 Roy Rimmer
owl is a creature of keen sight in the darkness of ignorance, and will unmask those who would deceive you
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
📷 Roy Rimmer
November 3, 2025 at 8:12 AM
in Cumbrian dialects, 'hullet' is owl
owl is a creature of keen sight in the darkness of ignorance, and will unmask those who would deceive you
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
📷 Roy Rimmer
owl is a creature of keen sight in the darkness of ignorance, and will unmask those who would deceive you
more: 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
📷 Roy Rimmer
In Cumbrian dialects, 'merl' is blackbird
one should never fall asleep whilst listening to it's song or you shall awaken in the Land of the Fae
more in 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Blackbird Stealing Redcurrants by Angela Harding
one should never fall asleep whilst listening to it's song or you shall awaken in the Land of the Fae
more in 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Blackbird Stealing Redcurrants by Angela Harding
November 2, 2025 at 1:49 PM
In Cumbrian dialects, 'merl' is blackbird
one should never fall asleep whilst listening to it's song or you shall awaken in the Land of the Fae
more in 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Blackbird Stealing Redcurrants by Angela Harding
one should never fall asleep whilst listening to it's song or you shall awaken in the Land of the Fae
more in 'Folklore of the Lake District'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#birds #folklore #booksky
art: Blackbird Stealing Redcurrants by Angela Harding