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.
Stephen G. Rae
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In my native Ayrshire and Cumbrian dialects, 'tod' is fox
Fox in common with Otter, carries a magic pearl that brings good luck to whomever finds it
more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#nature #folklore #lakedistrict
art: Fox Spirits by Stephanie Bayles
Stephen G. Rae
In tradition, newly-weds would dance three times around an oak tree and carve a small cross on it for good luck. These trees are called 'marriage oaks'
more in my "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com
#FairytaleTuesday #booksky
📷 my favourite oak, Lake District
The tale of Dunmail, the last 'King of Cumbria' is perhaps based on the historical, Dyfnwal ab Owain, King of Strathclyde
more: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#bookwormsat #lakedistrict
📷 "The Last King of Cumbria"; a short film I directed for Bardsea-Green Films
#WitchWednesday My own Witch Stone, also known as a Hagg Stone or Dobby Stone. A stone with a naturally occurring hole in it, used to ward off evil spirits. Hung around the neck of humans or livestock, or hung in the home or barn.
It's #InternationalLynxDay although sadly extinct in the UK, lynx is an animal of magic and mystery. In Druidry it's the 'keeper of secrets' symbolising the power of clairvoyance
#lynxday #mythology #druidry
📷 Bernard Landgraf
In Cumbrian dialects, 'broc' is badger
Badger is held in high esteem and 'brocan' means wise man. In lore, badgers protect against witchcraft and other evils
more in: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#badgers #folklore #lakedistrict
art: Lily Seika Jones
In Cumbrian dialects, 'urchin' is hedgehog
In a creation myth the entire world was just a giant lake, until a hedgehog brought sand in its spines to create land
more in my: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#hedgehogs #folklore #booksky
art: Amy Brown
In Cumbrian dialects, 'urchin' is hedgehog. In a creation myth the entire world was just a giant lake, until a hedgehog brought sand in its spines to create land
more: Folklore of the Lake District
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#hedgehogs #folklore #lakedistrict
art: Amy Brown
Stephen G. Rae
Stephen G. Rae
It's #DinosaurDay 🦕
Scientists first began studying the 'dinosaur' in the 19th century, with the word coined in 1841. Did you know that a 15th century Bishop of Carlisle had carvings of dinosaurs on his tomb? A Brachiosaurus?
more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District"
bardofcumberland.com
Púca is a goblin-like being who brings both of good and bad fortune. A shapeshifter able to take the form of a goat, hare or cat
in my: Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin; an Encyclopedia of World Folklore
bardofcumberland.com/folklore/
#caturday #goblins #folklore
art: Pascal Moguérou
