Authors, please be aware that there's currently a #BookClub #scam! I've received two messages from two different 'book clubs' this week alone. Here's an article with more info: medium.com/@claude.whit...

So pleased that my local megalithic site here in Gozo, Ġgantija Archaeological Park in Xagħra, has just been digitised in 3D! Take a look here: 3dviewer.digiarc.mt/items/Ggantija And find out more here: 'Malta Digitises Ġgantija For Europe’s Digital Heritage Space' heritagemalta.mt/news/malta-d...

Huge thanks to @helenerwin.bsky.social for her fantastic deep-dive into Swedish forest folklore at @culturalfutureshub.bsky.social yesterday! And thank you so much to everyone who came along. What a fantastic afternoon! Such a shame that Bluesky was down for so much of #FolkloreThursday yesterday.

Look what arrived in the mail just in time for #FolkloreThursday Willow Winsham’s latest book! Curious Cats and Fantastical Felines Can’t wait to read it!

Archura is a shapeshifting forest spirit in Turkic myth that usually appears as a man with a tail, hooves, horns, and a grass beard. He guards forest creatures and tells them when to migrate. His idea of mischief: leading humans astray and tickling them to death. #FolkloreThursday

In the Sumerian legend The Epic of Gilgamesh, the Cedar Forest is the glorious realm of the gods, guarded by the demigod Humbaba. Early versions of the legend place this forest in the mountains of Iran, while Babylonian retellings place it in Lebanon. #FolkloreThursday

In some Nordic traditions Hulda is the “mother of the elves”. The elder is her sacred tree, its roots said to be a portal to her realm. Those that dared to bring wood of this “forbidden tree” into their homes reported feeling unseen hands tugging at their legs. #FolkloreThursday

In Slavic folklore, the Leshy is the keeper of the forest, a shape-shifting spirit who can grow as tall as the trees or shrink to the size of grass. Travelers who wander too carelessly may find themselves led in circles until they learn respect for the land. #FolkloreThursday Art: Public Domain

Yggdrasil, the World Tree. 1, 17th century, unknown 2, Lorenz Frølich 1885| 3, Norns Amalia Schoppe 1882 The three Norns sat by the well of wisdom by Yggdrasil's roots weaving fate into existence, drawing runes into her roots. #FolkloreThursday #Norse

Rå's home was the forest. She cared for it. The word rå means care. In some contexts it can also mean rule. Art Credit: Kaia Pieters #FolkloreThursday

#FolkloreThursday Some said Rå was actually a tree. In my book The Lure of Water and Wood, she sometimes takes on the spirit and look of an old tree to appear older. Art Credit: Meraylah Allwood

In Greek myth, the dryads are tree-bound spirits, their lives tied to the fate of the oak or ash they inhabit. To harm the tree is to harm the spirit, making the forest itself something sacred and alive. #FolkloreThursday Art: Josephine Wall

‘The Greeks figured Pan, the god of Nature, now terribly stamping his foot, so that armies were dispersed; now by the woodside on a summer noon trolling on his pipe until he charmed the hearts of upland ploughmen.’ — R.L. Stevenson, ‘The Pipes of Pan’ #FolkloreThursday 🎨Arthur Rackham

In Jamaican folklore duppies (spirits) are reputed to live among the roots of the mighty cotton tree (aka silk-cotton tree/cottonwood tree). They emerge between 7pm and 5am and again at midday. #FolkloreThursday

Ogre is a French word, linked to the Etruscan god Orcus. These legendary giants are famous for their unfortunate cannibalistic tendencies, foul body-odor, rotten teeth, and rancid halitosis. They dwell in deep forests and mucky swamps. #FolkloreThursday #BookologyThursday

#FolkloreThursday The skogsrå (Swedish) or hulder (Norwegian) is a seductive supernatural woman of the forest. She looks beautiful, but has a hollowed-out back and a cow's tail. If a man follows her, he will be taken into the mountain and lost forever, but if he hears church bells he will be saved.

In many European traditions, ancient oaks were seen as meeting points between worlds, their roots reaching into the underworld while their branches touched the sky. #FolkloreThursday Art: Ester J. Williams

n case you failed to appease Askafroa, the ash wife, on Ash Wednesday with a sacrifice, at least do not break branches from the ash tree or grave illness will follow. 🎨 Johan Egerkrans #FolkloreThursday

Given this week's #FolkloreThursday theme of "Spirits, Deities & Creatures of the Woods” I thought I'd mention that my new book "A Catalog of Curious Creatures" covers 80 fearsome critters of old logger lore, cryptids and mythological creatures from woods, mountains, swamps, and more.

Every time you twist a tree, a wood spirit will die. #folklorethursday https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/A_Wood_Woman_Mourns_Her_Husband

Kodama-nezumi live in the mountain forests of Tohoku in Japan. If you anger the mountain gods, these spherical mouse yokai will inflate like a balloon until they explode with a noise louder than gunshot and splatter their innards everywhere! #folklorethursday art by our own @lilichin.bsky.social

Since time immemorial, Indigenous people in BC have had stories of humanlike giants & little people covered in fur Many are called Sasquatch now, a Salish name that includes modern accounts of a forest being some believe is real My depiction of an 1887 report where 2 people died #FolkloreThursday

A heads-up if you use Amazon - Curious Cats and Fantastical Felines is currently 25% off! bit.ly/4tP8oDW

#FolkloreThursday THIS WEEK! Join us 16th April for our Guardians of the Forest: Spirits, Deities, and Creatures of the Woods themed hosted #FolkloreThursday

@helenerwin.bsky.social exhibition is now open! Come see amazing art featuring Rå from her historical fantasy, The Lure of Water and Wood.

Getting ready for @helenerwin.bsky.social talk at @culturalfutureshub.bsky.social Spatial with @deedeechainey.bsky.social Setting up the gallery.

Immerse yourself in Swedish folklore and discover the forest spirit Rå in this virtual exhibition from @helenerwin.bsky.social, @folklorethursday.bsky.social and @culturalfutureshub.bsky.social. Visit online now, for free: www.spatial.io/s/DeeDeeChai... #FolkloreThursday

1/2 On Thursday April 16 I'll be talking about this alluring lady with @folklorethursday.bsky.social If you are joining us it might be interesting to read my book first. See second post for link. But first, something to entice you 😁 #SwedishFolklore @deedeechainey.bsky.social

Very pleased to be hosting another fantastic deep dive into Swedish folklore with the brilliant @helenerwin.bsky.social next #FolkloreThursday! There are now just 4 tickets left for April's event!

Looking forward to welcoming @helenerwin.bsky.social and @willowwinsham.bsky.social to @culturalfutureshub.bsky.social next month for our LIVE online #FolkloreThursday forest folklore event! Do grab your free ticket now before they run out! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guardians-...

In the Victorian language of flowers magnolia symbolises fortitude, a love of nature, and magnificence. In folk magic, it is said to guard true love and fidelity. A branch placed near or beneath the bed was believed to keep both partners faithful to one another. #FolkloreThursday

"March Winds." Bexhill Chronicle 8.3.1902. A warning about spring weather, but don't be mislead this is just an advert for Forde's Bile Beans! #FolkloreThursday #Spring #March #1900s

Celebrating the Spring Equinox today 20th March when the length of day and night is the same at 12 hours, and the sun is exactly over the equator. So spring officially begins with more sunshine, flowers and bees (hopefully!). A medieval view of this.

During Easter in Finland, children will dress up as Easter witches, and go door to door, carrying willow twigs decorated with colourful feathers and crepe paper. In return for treats, these "witches" will give a twig to each house as a blessing to drive away evil spirits. #FolkloreThursday

"The cuckoo comes in April, sings his song in May, changes his tune in the middle of June, and in July he flies away" The Cuckoo Rhyme #FolkloreThursday

Many cultures lit fires at the equinox to encourage the sun’s growing strength. Flame mirrored light, reinforcing the return of warmth. #FolkloreThursday Art: Jen Holga

Once, an alchemist tried to be reborn in new flesh. Alas, his servant had problems with following his instructions. #folklorethursday https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_Alchemist_and_the_Young_Lindwurm

The theme for this week’s hosted #FolkloreThursday is the folklore of Spring, rebirth and renewal in celebration of the #SpringEquinox! Our hosts will share your posts to the hashtag at these times GMT: 9am-1pm 3.30-4.30pm 6.30-7.30pm (Image: Larisa Koshkina)

Don't forget to get your free ticket for 'Guardians of the Forest: Spirits, Deities and Creatures of the Woods', an online talk with @helenerwin.bsky.social and #FolkloreThursday about forest spirit folklore this April! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/guardians-...

Wow! The #FolkloreThursday hashtag day FAQs were first posted on the website TEN YEARS (and two weeks) ago! How time flies! We've just updated them: folklorethursday.com/faq/

@helenerwin.bsky.social Hi, Helen! Thank you so much for the talk today, it was amazing! Näcken's story reminded me of a Brazilian folklore creature called Boto-cor-de-rosa (pink river dolphin).

1 week until Massaged to Death by Mermaids online with @folkloretodmorden.bsky.social Here’s Anna Hopkinson’s artwork of The Ice Queen & the Mer-King, my definining Asexual Fairy Tale. It’s in the talk!! 🧜🏿 #folklore #asexuality #LGBTQIA #mermaids

Thank you so much to all of the fantastic #FolkloreThursday hosts for a brilliant day yesterday, and to @helenerwin.bsky.social and @willowwinsham.bsky.social for the amazing live event too! 💜

'... I call to the dwellers along the shore With a voice of gramarye evermore. And if one for love of me Gives to my call an ear, I will woo him and hold him dear, And teach him the way of the sea...' ~From 'The Sea Spirit' by L.M. Montgomery 🎨 Howard Pyle #BookologyThursday #FolkloreThursday

#FolkloreThursday Lüschersee is a small Swiss Alpine lake which is said to be bottomless. In its depths lives the Butatsch Cun Ilgs, a monster described as looking like an enormous cow's stomach covered with hundreds of hypnotic eyes, which can also shoot fire. abookofcreatures.com/2015/09/23/b...

Thank you so much to everyone who came along to the #FolkloreThursday x @theforemotherscafe.bsky.social x @culturalfutureshub.bsky.social LIVE online event today! And huge thank you to @helenerwin.bsky.social for such a fascinating deep-dive into historical accounts of Näcken!

An enchantress awaits on the coastline of Java. She may appear as a mermaid, or she may appear as a beautiful Goddess, but regardless of her form, she harbors a grudge against men, and has been known to lure the unsuspecting to a watery grave… #FolkloreThursday mythcrafts.com/2017/05/03/t...

Every year the stones given by StFillan to the Old Mill at Killin are washed in the falls on the river Dochart and rebedded in river wrack, shaped like body parts they are said to have the power to heal, you can find out more on my website www.botanicafabula.co.uk/heritage-arc... #folklorethursday

Every year, the spirit of a lake near Dornberg demanded a sacrifice on St. John's Day. #folklorethursday https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_St._John%27s_Day_Sacrifice

""Undine Discovering Herself To The Knight Huldbrand." - By F. Wyburd." The Illustrated London News 15.10.1859. #FolkloreThursday #Undine #Art #1850s