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Stephen G. Rae

@stephengrae.bsky.social

Writer of folklore at The FolkLore Press; Druid, alias the Bard of Cumberland; contemporary artist; filmmaker at Land of Lore Films. New for 2026, my Folklore of Scotland.

2,480 Followers  |  801 Following  |  1,090 Posts  |  Joined: 17.10.2024
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Posts by Stephen G. Rae (@stephengrae.bsky.social)

In Cumbrian dialects, thimble-flower is foxglove, tod is fox, bummel is bee

in lore, faeries gave a fox, foxglove petals to put on it's toes - the fox's gloves - to raid the hen house without being heard 

more in my: 'Folklore of the Lake District'

#folkloresunday
πŸ“· Alan McFadyen

In Cumbrian dialects, thimble-flower is foxglove, tod is fox, bummel is bee in lore, faeries gave a fox, foxglove petals to put on it's toes - the fox's gloves - to raid the hen house without being heard more in my: 'Folklore of the Lake District' #folkloresunday πŸ“· Alan McFadyen

In Cumbrian dialects, thimble-flower is foxglove, tod is fox, bummel is bee

in lore, faeries gave a fox, foxglove petals to put on it's toes - the fox's gloves - to raid the hen house without being heard

more in my: 'Folklore of the Lake District'

#folkloresunday
πŸ“· Alan McFadyen

08.03.2026 10:15 β€” πŸ‘ 26    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The Scots Gaelic for red deer is 'fiadh ruadh'. In the Highlands people once called them β€˜faerie cattle’ as they believed fairies milked them

from my upcoming: "Folklore of Scotland"
https://folklorepress.co.uk/

#bookwormsat #folklore #Scotland 
art: Echoes from the Golden Grove by Annie Stegg

The Scots Gaelic for red deer is 'fiadh ruadh'. In the Highlands people once called them β€˜faerie cattle’ as they believed fairies milked them from my upcoming: "Folklore of Scotland" https://folklorepress.co.uk/ #bookwormsat #folklore #Scotland art: Echoes from the Golden Grove by Annie Stegg

The Scots Gaelic for red deer is 'fiadh ruadh'. In the Highlands people once called them β€˜faerie cattle’ as they believed fairies milked them

from my upcoming: "Folklore of Scotland"
folklorepress.co.uk

#bookwormsat #folklore #Scotland
art: Echoes from the Golden Grove by Annie Stegg

07.03.2026 11:08 β€” πŸ‘ 23    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Stag is one of the 'three oldest animals in this world'

The other two being the Blackbird and the Salmon and they represent Earth, Air, and Water respectively. Bear is often associated with the Fire element.

#bookwormsat #druidry 
πŸ“Έ Dave Kitson

Stag is one of the 'three oldest animals in this world' The other two being the Blackbird and the Salmon and they represent Earth, Air, and Water respectively. Bear is often associated with the Fire element. #bookwormsat #druidry πŸ“Έ Dave Kitson

Stag is one of the 'three oldest animals in this world'

The other two being the Blackbird and the Salmon and they represent Earth, Air, and Water respectively. Bear is often associated with the Fire element.

#bookwormsat #druidry
πŸ“Έ Dave Kitson

07.03.2026 11:25 β€” πŸ‘ 24    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
#FaerieFriday Ghilli Dhu is a male faerie living in forests, camouflaging himself in leaves and moss. He comes to the aid of lost children.

from the upcoming: "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" by Stephen G. Rae 
folklorepress.co.uk

#FaerieFriday Ghilli Dhu is a male faerie living in forests, camouflaging himself in leaves and moss. He comes to the aid of lost children. from the upcoming: "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" by Stephen G. Rae folklorepress.co.uk

#FaerieFriday Ghilli Dhu is a male faerie living in forests, camouflaging himself in leaves and moss. He comes to the aid of lost children.

from the upcoming: "Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" by Stephen G. Rae
folklorepress.co.uk

#folklore #folkhorror #Scotland

06.03.2026 11:13 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
"Folklore of Scotland"
by Stephen G. Rae 

Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin kin; faerie animals; demons or land and sea; giants, ogre and hairy folk; wolf man and werewolf; from the Beast of Buchan to the Gorbals Vampire
folklorepress.co.uk

"Folklore of Scotland" by Stephen G. Rae Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin kin; faerie animals; demons or land and sea; giants, ogre and hairy folk; wolf man and werewolf; from the Beast of Buchan to the Gorbals Vampire folklorepress.co.uk

#WorldBookDay and coming soon (ebook out now)

"Folklore of Scotland: Faerie Folk and Folk Horror" by Stephen G. Rae

Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin; faerie animals; demons of land and sea; vampires; wolf man and werewolf; Beast of Buchan and Gorbals Vampire

more: folklorepress.co.uk

05.03.2026 10:29 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
#WorldBookDay Dragley Beck, Ulverston gets its name from the dragon, that in local legend, sleeps underneath it.

More in: "Folklore of the Lake District" by Stephen G. Rae 
folklorepress.co.uk

art: Red Dragon by Stephen G. Rae

#WorldBookDay Dragley Beck, Ulverston gets its name from the dragon, that in local legend, sleeps underneath it. More in: "Folklore of the Lake District" by Stephen G. Rae folklorepress.co.uk art: Red Dragon by Stephen G. Rae

#WorldBookDay

Dragley Beck, Ulverston gets its name from the dragon, that in local legend, sleeps underneath it.

more: "Folklore of the Lake District" by Stephen G. Rae
folklorepress.co.uk

#folklore #bookologythursday
art: Red Dragon by Stephen G. Rae

05.03.2026 07:06 β€” πŸ‘ 29    πŸ” 10    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
#WorldBookDay

"stars is shining, moon is breet,
Boggart won't cum out to-neet!"

more: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an Encyclopedia of World Folklore" by Stephen G. Rae
folklorepress.co.uk


art: Boggart by Stephen G. Rae

#WorldBookDay "stars is shining, moon is breet, Boggart won't cum out to-neet!" more: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an Encyclopedia of World Folklore" by Stephen G. Rae folklorepress.co.uk art: Boggart by Stephen G. Rae

#WorldBookDay

"stars is shining, moon is breet,
Boggart won't cum out to-neet!"

more: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an Encyclopedia of World Folklore" by Stephen G. Rae
folklorepress.co.uk

#folklore #bookologythursday
art: Boggart by Stephen G. Rae

05.03.2026 07:03 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Moon Fairies are Faerie Folk who inhabit blackthorn and protect the tree from human interference. Never cut blackthorn, or these faeries will burn down your house. Blackthorn is the 'mother of the woods'.

art: Moon Fairies by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite

Moon Fairies are Faerie Folk who inhabit blackthorn and protect the tree from human interference. Never cut blackthorn, or these faeries will burn down your house. Blackthorn is the 'mother of the woods'. art: Moon Fairies by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite

Moon Fairies are Faerie Folk who inhabit blackthorn and protect the tree from human interference. Never cut blackthorn, or these faeries will burn down your house. Blackthorn is the 'mother of the woods'.

#fairytaletuesday #fullmoon
art: Moon Fairies by Ida Rentoul Outhwaite

03.03.2026 09:07 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
"Folklore of Scotland"
by Stephen G. Rae 

Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin kin; faerie animals; demons or land and sea; giants, ogre and hairy folk; wolf man and werewolf; from the Beast of Buchan to the Gorbals Vampire

"Folklore of Scotland" by Stephen G. Rae Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin kin; faerie animals; demons or land and sea; giants, ogre and hairy folk; wolf man and werewolf; from the Beast of Buchan to the Gorbals Vampire

πŸ“’ coming soon :-

"Folklore of Scotland"
by Stephen G. Rae

Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin kin; faerie animals; demons or land and sea; giants, ogre and hairy folk; wolf man and werewolf; from the Beast of Buchan to the Gorbals Vampire
folklorepress.co.uk

#folklore #scotland #books

27.02.2026 16:07 β€” πŸ‘ 7    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Our upcoming Full Moon is generally referred to as the Worm MoonΒ because earthworms and grubs tend to emerge from their winter dormancy at this time of year, marking spring.

My favourite is its other name of Eagle Moon.

πŸ“· Will Shieh

Our upcoming Full Moon is generally referred to as the Worm MoonΒ because earthworms and grubs tend to emerge from their winter dormancy at this time of year, marking spring. My favourite is its other name of Eagle Moon. πŸ“· Will Shieh

Our upcoming Full Moon is generally referred to as the Worm MoonΒ because earthworms and grubs tend to emerge from their winter dormancy at this time of year, marking spring.

My favourite is its other name of Eagle Moon.

πŸ“· Will Shieh

02.03.2026 10:54 β€” πŸ‘ 14    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
'Druid Peace Prayer' by anonymous 

Deep within the still centre of my being, may I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the Grove, may I share peace.
Gently within the greater circle of humankind, may I radiate peace.

'Druid Peace Prayer' by anonymous Deep within the still centre of my being, may I find peace. Silently within the quiet of the Grove, may I share peace. Gently within the greater circle of humankind, may I radiate peace.

'Druid Peace Prayer' by anonymous

Deep within the still centre of my being, may I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the Grove, may I share peace.
Gently within the greater circle of humankind, may I radiate peace.

πŸ“· Matt Savage

01.03.2026 22:23 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Now emerging from its winter hibernation, the legendary Tizzie-Whizie: part hedgehog, part squirrel with the wings of a bee. Often seen at dusk flying over Windermere at high speed.

more in: "Folklore of the Lake District" by Stephen G. Rae

Now emerging from its winter hibernation, the legendary Tizzie-Whizie: part hedgehog, part squirrel with the wings of a bee. Often seen at dusk flying over Windermere at high speed. more in: "Folklore of the Lake District" by Stephen G. Rae

Now emerging from its winter hibernation, the legendary Tizzie-Whizie: part hedgehog, part squirrel with the wings of a bee. Often seen at dusk flying over Windermere at high speed.

more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District"

#folklore #lakedistrict #booksky

01.03.2026 10:00 β€” πŸ‘ 21    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Post image

A rare planetary alignment.

Tonight, this phenomenon will see Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Uranus and Neptune align.

Some of the planets will be visible with the naked eye, but Uranus and Neptune will only be seen with binocular or telescope.

28.02.2026 11:39 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 1
Adam Bell, the 'Robin Hood of the North' 🏹

Lived in Inglewood Forest, was a famous archer, and was arrested for stealing game with companions William of Cloudsley and Clym of the Clough

more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #bookwormsat
art: Richard Dadd

Adam Bell, the 'Robin Hood of the North' 🏹 Lived in Inglewood Forest, was a famous archer, and was arrested for stealing game with companions William of Cloudsley and Clym of the Clough more: "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #folklore #bookwormsat art: Richard Dadd

Adam Bell, the 'Robin Hood of the North' 🏹

Lived in Inglewood Forest, was a famous archer, and was arrested for stealing game with companions William of Cloudsley and Clym of the Clough

more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#folklore #bookwormsat
art: Richard Dadd

28.02.2026 08:44 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you

27.02.2026 16:09 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
"Folklore of Scotland"
by Stephen G. Rae 

Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin kin; faerie animals; demons or land and sea; giants, ogre and hairy folk; wolf man and werewolf; from the Beast of Buchan to the Gorbals Vampire

"Folklore of Scotland" by Stephen G. Rae Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin kin; faerie animals; demons or land and sea; giants, ogre and hairy folk; wolf man and werewolf; from the Beast of Buchan to the Gorbals Vampire

πŸ“’ coming soon :-

"Folklore of Scotland"
by Stephen G. Rae

Elf and fairie; brownie and goblin kin; faerie animals; demons or land and sea; giants, ogre and hairy folk; wolf man and werewolf; from the Beast of Buchan to the Gorbals Vampire
folklorepress.co.uk

#folklore #scotland #booksky

27.02.2026 15:52 β€” πŸ‘ 19    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
in Scots Gaelic lore, faeries were regarded as either fallen angels, non-human nature spirits, or spirits of the dead. They live in 'faerie mounds' awaiting reincarnation.

from the upcoming: 'Folklore of Scotland' by Stephen G. Rae 

art: Yuliya Litvinova

in Scots Gaelic lore, faeries were regarded as either fallen angels, non-human nature spirits, or spirits of the dead. They live in 'faerie mounds' awaiting reincarnation. from the upcoming: 'Folklore of Scotland' by Stephen G. Rae art: Yuliya Litvinova

#FaerieFriday in Scots Gaelic lore, faeries were regarded as either fallen angels, non-human nature spirits, or spirits of the dead. They live in 'faerie mounds' awaiting reincarnation.

from my upcoming: 'Folklore of Scotland'
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

art: Yuliya Litvinova

27.02.2026 10:47 β€” πŸ‘ 37    πŸ” 13    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

It was 2025 😊 2026 is my "Folklore of Scotland"

26.02.2026 17:47 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Grindylow is a River Hag/ Water Wraith and similar to Jenny Greenteeth and Nelly Longarms. Any passersby are taken into the water to drown and eat!

more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

Grindylow is a River Hag/ Water Wraith and similar to Jenny Greenteeth and Nelly Longarms. Any passersby are taken into the water to drown and eat! more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

Grindylow is a River Hag/ Water Wraith and similar to Jenny Greenteeth and Nelly Longarms. Any passersby are taken into the water to drown and eat!

more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#bookologythursday #lakedistrict

26.02.2026 09:00 β€” πŸ‘ 23    πŸ” 10    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
In Cumbrian dialects, 'broc' is badger

Badger is held in high esteem and 'brocan'Β means wise man. In lore, badgers protect against witchcraft and other evil entities

In Cumbrian dialects, 'broc' is badger Badger is held in high esteem and 'brocan'Β means wise man. In lore, badgers protect against witchcraft and other evil entities

In Cumbrian dialects, 'broc' is badger

Badger is held in high esteem and 'brocan'Β means wise man. In lore, badgers protect against witchcraft and other evil entities

more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#badgers #folklore #booksky
art: Lily Seika Jones

25.02.2026 08:01 β€” πŸ‘ 23    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
walking in Torridon
my only companion 
distant barking dog

~ Haiku by Stephen G. Rae 

In Scots Gealic lore, 'cu sìth' is the faerie dog; the size of a Highland Cow with a shaggy green coat. It will let out three barks, only three, as an ill omen

walking in Torridon my only companion distant barking dog ~ Haiku by Stephen G. Rae In Scots Gealic lore, 'cu sìth' is the faerie dog; the size of a Highland Cow with a shaggy green coat. It will let out three barks, only three, as an ill omen

walking in Torridon
my only companion
distant barking dog

~ Haiku; 1998

in Scots Gealic lore, 'cu sìth' is the faerie dog; the size of a Highland Cow with a shaggy green coat. It will let out three barks, only three, as an ill omen

bardofcumberland.com/poetry/

#bookwormsat #poetry

21.02.2026 09:03 β€” πŸ‘ 26    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Pine marten; art byRobert E Fuller

Pine marten; art byRobert E Fuller

I was talking to a local farmer who is doing his bit for red squirrels. There are less 'greys' around and he is sure he saw a pine marten one evening. Good news for the South Cumbria Pine Marten Recovery Project.

In Cumbrian dialects, 'sweet-mart' is pine marten.

art: Robert E Fuller

20.02.2026 09:53 β€” πŸ‘ 32    πŸ” 11    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
The "White Dobbie of Furness" is the tale of a wandering spirit and his companion a white hare, it the spirit of his murdered friend.

more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District"

The "White Dobbie of Furness" is the tale of a wandering spirit and his companion a white hare, it the spirit of his murdered friend. more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District"

The "White Dobbie of Furness" is the tale of a wandering spirit and his companion a white hare, it the spirit of his murdered friend.

more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/

#bookologythursday #folklore
πŸ“· Land of Lore Films

19.02.2026 08:51 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
"He's so hungry, he's so thin
If he'd come we'd let him in"

Gunna is a Highland's Brownie living outdoors and caring for livestock 

and read more in: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin: An Encyclopedia of World Folklore" by Stephen G. Rae

"He's so hungry, he's so thin If he'd come we'd let him in" Gunna is a Highland's Brownie living outdoors and caring for livestock and read more in: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin: An Encyclopedia of World Folklore" by Stephen G. Rae

"He's so hungry, he's so thin
If he'd come we'd let him in"

~ Gunna is a Highland's Brownie living outdoors and caring for livestock

and read more in: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin: An Encyclopedia of World Folklore" by Stephen G. Rae

17.02.2026 14:41 β€” πŸ‘ 6    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
I've been fascinated by the golden dragon, especially since watching The Witcher. So I thought I'd add one to my current collection of mythological animals. 

art: Golden Dragon by Stephen G. Rae

I've been fascinated by the golden dragon, especially since watching The Witcher. So I thought I'd add one to my current collection of mythological animals. art: Golden Dragon by Stephen G. Rae

I've been fascinated by the golden dragon, especially since watching The Witcher. So I thought I'd add one to my ongoing collection of mythological animals.

art: Golden Dragon by Stephen G. Rae

17.02.2026 12:33 β€” πŸ‘ 18    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I've stopped erecting boxes of this type, as it was too easy for grey squirrels to predate on the eggs and chicks. The birds own naturally camouflaged nests were always the most successful.

17.02.2026 11:44 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Local bookshops are the best! So supportive towards local writers like myself.

15.02.2026 12:51 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Trauco is the 'seducer of the woods' a fruit-eating goblin from South American folklore

Trauco is the 'seducer of the woods' a fruit-eating goblin from South American folklore

St. Valentine's Day goblins?!?

Trauco is the 'seducer of the woods' a fruit-eating goblin from South American folklore, able to seduce humans by his gaze or breath

and read more in my: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin: An Encyclopedia of World Folklore"

14.02.2026 10:03 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Tree Beard by Stephen G. Rae

Tree Beard by Stephen G. Rae

'Oak, Man' by Stephen G. Rae

twig, leaf, acorn;
chlorophyll flows
root, branch

twig, leaf, acorn;
hardened skin
cracked, misshapen

twig, leaf, acorn;
cellulose heart
oak, man

art: 'Tree Beard' by Stephen G. Rae

14.02.2026 09:52 β€” πŸ‘ 15    πŸ” 5    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Woodland Unicorn by Stephen G. Rae

Woodland Unicorn by Stephen G. Rae

The unicorn was first used on the Scottish royal coat of arms by William I in the 12th century; a symbol of purity, innocence, masculinity and power

Then there's the curious folk tale of the Isle of Skye unicorn. More of that in my upcoming "Folklore of Scotland"
folklorepress.co.uk

art by me

13.02.2026 10:50 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1