Folklore of Scotland
@StephenGeoRae
The new book of Scottish folklore by Stephen G. Rae @BardCumberland. Published by The FolkLore Press. Step into a world of Faerie Folk and Folk Horror.
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The goddess 'Aine' represents the Sun, the Moon, Love, and Summer
"Aine of the summer’s warmth
Be with us, and grant thy aid
Aine of the bright cloak,
Be with us, and grant thy blessing"
~ excerpt from Carmina Gadelica compiled by Alexander Carmichael
art: Valentine W. Bromley
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Catman is similar to the 'love-talker' of Scots and Irish lore. He possesses both feline and human features; coming out at night, roaming neighbourhoods to seduce human men and women.
art: Jorge Mascarenhas #caturday#
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Bragg is a shapeshifter that occurs in Anglo-Scottish Borders folklore. It takes the form of a horse, pony or donkey. It will let unsuspecting humans ride on it's back before bucking them off into deep water or marshland, then run away laughing.
art: Johan Egerkrans
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Selkie; numerous superstitions abound for the origin of the seal-folk. For example, they can only assume human form once every seven years, or are fallen angels
more in my book "Folklore of Scotland"
art: Arantza Sestayo
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Fin Folk, also known as Sea Gardeners are either Fairies or Selkies. There are stories of humans taken to their utopian underwater world, said to be enclosed in glass
more in my book "Folklore of Scotland"
art: Ilya Reppin
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Fairie or Elf, Klippe is a guardian to all those walking lonely moorland at night. A spritely fellow who dances in front and behind the traveller to ensure a safe journey
more in my book: "Folklore of Scotland"
art: Brian Froud
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Fachan, the 'Dwarf of Glen Etive', he lives in the Highlands of Scotland and is easily identified by his one eye, one arm, one leg and mohican hairstyle
more in my book: "Folklore of Scotland"
#folklorethursday# #Scotland#
art: Stephen G. Rae
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In Scots and Irish lore, the Cailleach is both weather deity and creator goddess. In Scotland she is also known as Beira, Queen of Winter, and is the creator all the country's mountain ranges.
art: Eran Fowler
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medieval lore, Tempestarii were weather making witches and/or wizards who possessed the power to raise or prevent storms at will. Anyone reputed as a weather maker was the subject of both respect and fear in rural areas
art: John William Waterhouse
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The superstition that witches favoured brooms as their mode of transport was popularised at the time of the Lancashire Witch Trials. Older sources tell of them travelling by pitchforks, pig troughs, plant stems.
art: Jakub Rozalski #witchwednesday#
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In both my native Scots language and adopted Cumbrian dialects, 'con' is squirrel (red squirrel).
Squirrel is frequently seen as a trickster figure, but having it living near your home protests against malevolent beings.
art: Jean-Baptiste Monge
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Fideal haunts the waters of Scotland's Loch na Fideil near Gairloch. Anyone who gets close to the water's edge will be pulled underwater to drown
more in my "Folklore of Scotland"
art: Amelia Leonards
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The Morrigan, the Phantom Queen, the Irish Goddess of witchcraft, war, death, retribution, but also fertility.
art: A. Leonards
Rata, the Goddess of the Fortress. In mythology, a goddess of northern English/ southern Scottish origin, later adopted by the Romans. She is referred to, in inscriptions at the Roman Fort, Birdoswald
art: Howard David Johnson
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Epona, the Great Mare; the Horse Goddess associated with the Druids of Gaul. There's a rich legacy of inscriptions and monuments dedicated to Epona.
art: Sacred Haven
Giger suffered from chronic night terrors and he used his art as a form of therapy to exorcise the visions in his nightmares. He kept a sketchbook by his bed to quickly capture the 'demons' that visited him.
art: Alien Mural by H. R. Giger
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In 1991, Paisly Abbey underwent necessary restoration work. Twelve of its thirteen gargoyles were so badly damaged from water erosion, that they had to be removed. One replacement has an uncanny resemblance to H.R. Giger's Xenomorph from the 'Alien' franchise.
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Celebrating @DrSamGeorge1's marvellous discovery of a 'Peryton' or 'winged stag' at Linthigow Palace
📷 courtesy of Sam George
Celebrating 'creativity' today on #FolkloreSunday#, so here's my:
"Folklore of Scotland"
The "Beast of the Lowering Horn" was a curious animal with unicorn-like features, found on the Isle of Skye
more:
art: Stephen G. Rae
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In lore, 'cu sìth' is the faerie dog; the size of a Highland Cow with a shaggy green coat. It will let out three barks as an ill omen:
walking in Torridon
my only companion
distant barking dog
more in my "Folklore of Scotland"
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