Lmst

According to legend, Bladud was a king of Britain who founded the city of Bath. He was also a wizard, and created magic wings to fly. However, like Icarus, Bladud flew too high, and his wings failed, so he fell to his death. His son was Shakespeare's King Lear.

#LegendaryWednesday #Folklore #BritishFolklore #Mythology #BritishMythology #Britain #Magic #Shakespeare #KingLear

King Bladud as he flies on his wings above a herd of pigs. Illustration from the cover of "Bladud of Bath: the British King Who Tried to Fly," a 1973 book by Howard C. Levis.

Sulis, a goddess of healing and curses, is one of the few deities mentioned in surviving British folklore. When Bladud (Britain's mythical wizard-king) discovered some hot springs with healing powers, he built the city of Bath over them, along with a temple to Sulis.

#MythologyMonday #Mythology #Folklore #BritishMythology #BritishFolklore #Britain #CelticMythology #CelticFolklore #Celts

Head of an ancient bronze statue of Sulis, unearthed in the city of Bath.

It’s here! My copy of Not Of This Wold: An Anthology of Weird Lincolnshire Writing has arrived. I’m absolutely thrilled to see my story in print.

My piece is a creative non-fiction tale about a cursed Lincolnshire train… eerie, atmospheric, and grounded in local legend. If you’re into the uncanny, the haunted, or the just plain strange, this anthology is for you.

Grab your copy and take a trip into the weird side of Lincolnshire: https://amzn.eu/d/1k8J6Wk

#NotOfThisWold #WeirdLincolnshire #BritishFolklore #CreativeNonFiction #HauntedTrains #LocalLegends #UKWriters #booklovers #books

Jack in the Green is an English folk custom, part of the May Day festival. A person is covered in a framework of green foliage, and then marches in a procession with musicians. It began in the 18th century, though some folklorists connect it with earlier imagery (such as the Green Man).

#LegendaryWednesday #Superstitiology #31DaysofHaunting #Folklore #BritishFolklore #EnglishFolklore #Mythology #BritishMythology #EnglishMythology #Britain #England #Festival #Celebration #MayDay #JackintheGreen

A photo of Jack in the Green from a modern May Day celebration in Hastings, England.

💧 Holy Wells & Hidden Histories 💧
Steeped in legend, magic, and devotion, the sacred wells of Britain have long been places of reverence, healing, and keepers of native spirituality. The Living Stream by James Rattue explores these ancient waters, tracing their place in folk magic, the Indigenous Fairy Faith, Saint Cults, Pagan worship and British folklore.

Inside this book:
🌿 The historical and spiritual significance of holy wells
🌹 Their ties to the Fairy Faith and indigenous traditions
✝ Christianisation, folklore, and magical practices
📜 How these sacred sites have been reclaimed and preserved

Of particular interest:
🙏🏻 How the Mary Wells preserve Pagan worship
🗺 The locations of different dedications
🕯 Ritual continuation through the ages
⛏ How the Classes differed in their reverence and approach to the Holy Wells

Whether you’re a practitioner of folk magic, a lover of history, or drawn to the old ways of the land, this book offers a deep well (🥁) of knowledge to explore.

🖤 Save this post for your reading list!
🔗 is in the bio if you want to grab a copy for yourself!

💬 Do you have a favourite holy well or sacred water source? Tell us below! We have a few favourites. 👀

#HolyWells #FolkMagic #IndigenousSpirituality #FairyFaith #BritishFolklore #TraditionalWitchcraft #WitchyReads #Folklore #WitchesOfInstagram #indigenousfairyfaith #CantingTribes #History #witch #witchcraft

A close-up image of a page from the book "The Living Stream: Holy Wells in Historical Context." The page shows the bibliography section, with several references listed. Some titles include "Troughs and Drinking Fountains," "Britons Folklore," and "Documents of British Superstition in Oxford." The page is surrounded by green leaves, and the text is clearly visible, with a focus on the academic references related to holy wells and folklore studies. The book’s content is scholarly and detailed.

A page from "The Living Stream: Holy Wells in Historical Context," showing the section titled "Hunting High and Low." The text discusses the role of the Church of England's High wing in promoting holy wells, their connection with ritualism in the 19th century, and the influence of high church figures like Bishops Beilby Porteous and Samuel Horsely. The page also covers the views of Reverend William van Notten Pole and his work on restoring holy wells. The text is placed on a rustic background with green leaves.

A page from The Living Stream: Holy Wells in Historical Context, showing the section titled "The Two Cultures." This page discusses Joseph Childrey's skepticism regarding holy wells, specifically the belief surrounding St. Keyne's Well in Cornwall. It details his thoughts on the spring's purported magical properties and its connection to superstitions. The text also touches on early antiquarians' interest in these wells, including references to antiquarians such as Anthony Aubrey and the customs surrounding holy wells. The page is placed on a rustic background with green ivy leaves.

A page from The Living Stream: Holy Wells in Historical Context titled "At the Heart of the Community." This section explores the social control associated with holy wells, particularly in relation to the English and Celtic experiences. It discusses how the Catholic religious practices at these sites changed post-Reformation, with some local rituals surviving through adaptations. The text highlights the social and political functions of holy wells and their connection to both the church and the community. The page is photographed on a rustic wooden surface with green ivy leaves.

Sulis (a goddess of healing and cursing) is one of the few Celtic deities mentioned in surviving British folklore. When Bladud (Britain's mythical wizard-king) discovered a group of hot springs with healing powers, he built the city of Bath over them, along with a temple to Sulis.

#FolkyFriday #Superstitiology #31DaysofHaunting #BookChatWeekly #Mythology #Folklore #BritishMythology #BritishFolklore #Britain #CelticMythology #CelticFolklore #Celts #Bath

Photo of a stone altar to Sulis Minerva from the city of Bath

British wise women and cunning men used many techniques to heal people. One wise woman would trap a live spider inside the shell of a small nut, sew the nut in a bag, place the bag around the client's neck, and "as the spider wasted, so would the fever leave him."

#FolkyFriday #31DaysofHaunting #Superstitiology #OfDarkandMacabre #Mythology #Folklore #BritishFolklore #Superstition #BritishSuperstition #occult

Photo is of a variety of herbs and floral ingredients used by British wise women and cunning men in their elixirs.

But dogs seemed less trivial.

It wasn’t helped by the fact that my grandparents had a large black dog that liked me, so would follow me around silently from room to room when I went to visit them, to be fair.

The number of times I’d see it out of the corner of my eye and be like, ThisisnotEastAnglia. ThisisnotEastAnglia.

#blackshuck #hauntedbritain #folklore #ghosts #britishfolklore #folkhorror #mentalhealth #eastanglia #ocd

In the original version of Merlin's story, his only supernatural power is prophecy, and he otherwise relies on medieval "science." He uses "machinery" to move Stonehenge and "medicine" (presumably potions) to make King Uther Pendragon look like Duke Gorlois.

#MythologyMonday #BookChatWeekly #31DaysofHaunting #literature #mythology #folklore #BritishFolklore #BritishMythology #Britain #KingArthur #Arthuriana #magic

A medieval picture of King Uther Pendragon meeting with Merlin.

Today, 40 years ago, the first episode of British TV series Robin of Sherwood aired on ITV. I loved it from the get go, and have remained a fan over the years since. I am currently enjoying a rewatch. Happy birthday! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_of_Sherwood #TV #BritishTV #RobinOfSherwood #RoS #80sTV #RobinHood #Folklore #BritishFolklore #ITV

Off-season coastal towns rule. In Sidmouth, Devon, someone’s turned these old phoneboxes into Cabinets of Curiosity. These two are stuffed with exhibits of local folk charms & witchcraft, & include a mummified cat found in the wall of one cottage, & spells sealed up in others. 💀 #folklore #witchcraft #devon #mummification #spells #witches #witch #halloween #folkhorror #folkhorrorrevival #magick #spells #britishfolklore #englishfolklore #magic #spells #mythology #sidmouth #publicart #PhoneBox

Old red phone box with candles and witchcraft folkloric impedimenta and exhibits inside

Old red phone box with a mummified cat and witchcraft folkloric impedimenta and exhibits inside

According to Geoffrey of Monmouth’s ‘The History of the Kings of Britain,’ Gwendolen was the daughter of Corineus, the mythical namesake of Cornwall, and became the first queen regnant of the ancient Britons after raising an army to defeat her ex-husband, King Locrinus, in battle at the River Stour. #FairyTaleTuesday

📷: Jared Subia

#Folklore #BritishFolklore #Mythology #FairyTale
#GeoffreyOfMonmouth #HistoryOfTheKingsOfBritain #QueenGwendolen

Close-up photo of a woman placing a crown on her head

My new podcast #FolkLands with #JustinChubb begins tomorrow! A dark plunge beneath the surface of forgotten British folklore and myth, mixed with 70s kids tv, magick, witches, curses and ancient river demons. Don’t say I never treat you! Available wherever you pod. Please follow us & share!

#magick #britishfolklore #lore #folklore #ghosts #boggart #ladybirdbooks #vampyr

#Supper: #coffee and a #sourdough Danish #pastry. Plus the latest issue of #Hellebore #zine to read. There’s even an article in there looking at TV dramas Children of the Stones, Doctor Who’s Stones of Blood, and Quatermass IV. #zines #folkHorror #folklore #horror #BritishFolklore #BritishTV #scifi #DoctorWho #70sTV #NigelKneale #Quatermass #Occult #HelleboreZine #Pagan

A tray holding the Hellebore zine number 9, the Old Ways issue for Beltane 2023. The cover of the zine shows a woman beside a tall old stone with a dark sky behind. Beside the zine there is a huge Danish pastry with a dark fruit filling. And behind that is a large cream mug of coffee with a gold monogram V on the outside.

Just preordered me the #Hellebore #zine upcoming Old Ways issue. Looks great. https://helleborezine.bigcartel.com/product/the-old-ways-issue #Folklore #Myth #History #Archaeology #psychogeography #Occult #Landscape #LandscapeHistory #BritishFolklore #Countryside #Zines #FolkHorror

Keen to learn more about water in British folklore? Then I'm teaching the Water, Water, Everywhere class for Miskatonic London on April 11! We'll explore water both as a location for a range of legends, but also as the home of a myriad of creatures, beings, and monsters. River, lake, well or spring, we’ll dip our toe into it – and hope that no aquatic devil takes hold! Tickets available here: https://miskatonicinstitute.com/events/water-water-everywhere-british-sea-based-folklore/ #Folklore #BritishFolklore #FabulousFolklorePodcast

A seal basks on a rock by the sea. The photo was taken from a long distance with a telephoto lens.

I've been a bit absent from here lately, because I've been working on this. Any #Northumberland folk, please do check it out. Or if you're thinking of coming this way for a holiday or trip (which I highly encourage, it's a magical part of the world), do come my way!

#storytelling #folklore #storyteller #GuidedWalks #HistoryTours #MythsAndLegends #BritishFolklore #VisitNorthumberland #SelfPromo #SmallBusiness

Flyer advertising Folklore and Heritage Walks. Text reads: Guided walks around the paths of Ford and Etal in Northumberland. Hear stories both historical and mythical, from Medieval life in the Borderlands to local ghost stories; Cheviot fairies to old rock carvings to the hidden traces of WW2 at our feet; and extraordinary tales of the ordinary folk, featuring daring rescues, wandering minstrels, smugglers, and more, right here on the estates. Hidden history. Forgotten folklore. Local legends. Pleasant paths, spectacular views, plenty of wildlife to spot, and a knowledgeable local guide to make this a unique experience. Sun 10am: short walks. 1-2 miles. Approx 1 hour. Wed 2pm: long walks. 3-4 miles. Approx 3 hours. Standard tickets £8 (short) / £15 (long). See website for concessions/groups. Please note that walks require a reasonable level of fitness and appropriate clothing. Booking essential. See overleaf for booking link and QR code. More info: www.spindriftstories.co.uk. Email: spindriftstories@gmail.com

Flyer advertising 'Tales at Old Heatherslaw' storytelling sessions. Text reads: Open-air performances of local folktales and legends with storyteller Becca Harris of Spindrift Stories. Gather in the tangled meadow of the old smallholding of Heatherslaw Gardens for an hour of old Border tales. Witches and fairies, feuding Lords and Border Reivers; dragons and ghosts; kings, queens, and tricksters - not to mention a few tales of the ordinary folk who called this home over the centuries. Quotes from reviews: "A wondrous hour." "A deft storyteller who had us hanging off her every word." "Absolutely riveting."

Adults £6. Concession £5. Child £3.50. Family £18. 3-4pm Sun, Mon and Tues. April to October 2023. Heatherslaw Gardens, TD12 4TJ.

Booking essential. Visit TicketSource.co.uk/Spindrift-Stories or scan code to book. [Image of QR code]

🔔🦌 The bishop dismantled the old cathedral and built his new one down in the valley. It sits on only 4 foot of foundations, but its spire rises to 400 foot! Slowly the rest of the people moved down into the valley and settled around the cathedral. And Old Salisbury (now called Old Sarum) up on the hill was abandoned.
 #folklore #britishfolklore @folklore @wiltshire #salisbury #wiltshire

🔔🦌 The arrow was shot. It flew far through the air, and dipped below the trees into some distant meadow. So the bishop and his followers walked out. When they finally found the arrow, they were astonished. It had hit and killed a huge old stag which lay dead on the ground in a water meadow. Well, this wet place might not seem like the best place to build a huge stone cathedral, but God had spoken.
 #folklore #britishfolklore @folklore @wiltshire #salisbury #wiltshire

🔔🦌 Well, one day the bishop decided enough was enough, and he started planning to move the cathedral down into the welcoming, protected river valley. But he needed to convince people by showing that God was on his side. He asked the town’s best archer to shoot an arrow from the top of the city walls and he said that God would make it land in the perfect place for his new cathedral.
 #folklore #britishfolklore @folklore @wiltshire #salisbury #wiltshire

#BritishFolklore

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