1/2 I’m currently reading the "Herne & Shuck" strip from 2000 AD, and I’m really enjoying it! The blend of folklore and folk horror is fantastic, bringing characters inspired by Herne the Hunter and Black Shuck to life. It’s also great to see other deities like Cernunnos making an appearance.

Read my Substack for a tantalizing teaser on my next work in progress. Have your passport at the ready! open.substack.com/pub/ghostcat... #workinprogress #fortean #Substack #WeirdHistory

Blessed Imbolc. We collected reeds today to make this. #blessedimbolc #imbolc #brigidscross #pagancelebration

Almost finished a piece I've been working on for submission to an anthology. It's been fun researching it and I think I would like to write a bigger piece from a different angle on it another time. Here are a few clues to my topic. #Mysteries #cryptid #writingprocess #projectinprogress✔️

Just listened to an episode of Mysteries & Monsters where Paul interviewed @eerieedinburgh.bsky.social about his book "Hidden Haunts Ireland." Fascinating chat on Irish ghosts! Check it out & grab a copy. There's even a story from my West Cork experience! #hiddenhauntsireland #irishghoststories

I like the look of this! 😍

Another contributor copy lands! To get yours… 🧙 www.amazon.co.uk/Witchcraft-S...

From Rebecca to The Others, Gothic cinema reminds us that ghosts are never just ghosts. I’ve rounded up 5 paranormal favourites and dug into why they linger long after the credits. Have a read: wp.me/py3eK-uq #ghostcatcherisles #gothichorror #moviepicks #ghosts

Something peculiar is taking shape on my writing desk.... a new work in progress involving clues, odd encounters, and things best spotted out of the corner of your eye. If you fancy a peek: ghostcatcherisles.substack.com/p/bizarre-cl... #workinprogress #substack #writingprocess #Cryptids

1/4 Last night I was in Glastonbury watching one of my favourite storytellers perform, and it was honestly wonderful. I’ve never read Sláine, but the Celtic myths and legends threaded through the story really fired my imagination, and now I want to read more.

Read it last night and it was fabulous! The perfect FT article.

Thrilled to share my piece on the quirky Ditchingham Chicken Roundabout in @forteantimes.bsky.social And I’m on the front cover! 🫨 FT has been part of my life since I was a kid, sneaking my mum's copies under the covers. Grab a copy to learn more! 🐔 #forteantimes #ChickenRoundabout

An interesting painting that hits all our buttons. George Roux - Spirit, 1885 #opeaghost #podcast #paranormal #art #painting

Celebrating a wonderful night of storytelling with Natalie Doig and Steph Lay at "Winterval ", where I told my tale of the battle between the Holly King and Oak King. Yummy white port: cheers! #storytelling #stories #storyteller #winterval #celebrate

Here's how to join the winterval story telling event: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/winterval-...

Please join us tonight!

Ahoy there! Feast your eyes upon this marvel! Ever keen to create a distraction, watch as I help to steal the crown jewels! Will anarchy prevail? Filmed by Bottlejack & Hastener watch V1CT0R1A to find out! youtu.be/oeWALR8GTzM?...

I wrote a magical little Christmas story to go along with a gift of Danny Robins book "Do you Believe in Ghosts?" I gave it to my young folklore loving friend Katy. I hope Katy liked it. Merry Christmas! #christmasstory #elf #doyoubelieveinghosts #kidsbook open.substack.com/pub/ghostcat...

Day 24 of the Advent Calendar: Magical Christmas Eve Gift Bringers. On Christmas Eve we celebrate the magical figures who bring us joy and gifts. From Santa Claus to the Christkind, these traditions, rooted in folklore, have evolved over time. 1/2

I'm delighted to hear @stephlay.bsky.social, writer at City of Secrets (cityofsecrets.blog/a-haunting-h...), is joining @weirdinthewade.bsky.social and I to share some stories with you! Please pick up a ticket and join us for some chilling and enchanting winter tales on 29th December.

Day 23 of the Advent Calendar: Cristesmæsse For the Anglo-Saxons, Christmas was a mix of joy and restraint. While most enjoyed nearly two weeks off work, they had to fast, and gifts were mainly for the poor. 1/2

Join me & fellow storytellers at Winterval with @weirdinthewade.bsky.social, on 29 Dec 2025, at 7:00 PM! We’ll share ghost stories & folktales, including my retelling of an epic battle between titan brothers. Grab a mince pie and relax at home! #Storytelling Tickets: tinyurl.com/yckbcpzm

Advent Calendar Day 22: Midwinter. "Midwinter in the Druid tradition is called Alban Arthan, Welsh/Brythonic for ‘the light of the bear’. 1/3

Penfold's habitat has been made festive for Christmas. He's ready! Bring on Santa! #syrianhamster #penfoldthehamster #Christmas #pets #hamster

Day 21 of the advent calendar: Winter Solstice Today we celebrate the Winter Solstice: the longest night of the year. Though it feels so dark, it reminds us that brighter days are on the way. 1/2

Winter solstice wassailing our allotment fruit trees today. #Wassailing #Wassail #WinterSolstice #fruittrees #winterritual

Day 20 of the Advent Calendar: St. Thomas’s Eve For centuries, young women in England used to onions to help foretell their future loves. On St. Thomas’s Eve (20/21 Dec), they’d peel an onion, wrap it in a handkerchief, and pop it under their pillow. 1/2

Day 19 of the Advent Calendar: Today, behind the door we find Herne the Hunter, the guardian of Windsor Great Park. Once a keeper of the woods, Herne represents the tale of the Wild Huntsman, which is a story centered around an eternal chase and a fateful bargain. 1/2

Oh, I'm looking forward to listening to this one. I love this Arthurian tale! I did some research into the "Green Man" and older archetypes that may have inspired him earlier this year, and this story kept coming up time and again. Owen is bound to tell it eloquently too! ❤️

Day 18 of the Advent Calendar: Christmas Carols In the 17th century, Puritans in England tried to ban Christmas celebrations, viewing them as frivolous and sinful. As a result, carols disappeared from daily life, snuffed out by strict laws and disdain for their pagan origins. 1/2

Day 17 on the advent calendar: Wassail! Wassail comes from the Old English phrase "waes haell," meaning "be hale" or "good health." 1/2

Intriguing story here from my pal CJ. He's very knowledgeable on the paranormal and a treasure trove of information. You can check out his excellent website too: jerome23.wordpress.com/2023/04/13/i...

What a wonderful evening of midwinter storytelling and song tonight, with the @shuckhappens.bsky.social ! We heard a variety of gripping tales: from gnawed off arms, to viking marauders, to evil things hiding under human skins, all the way through to saucy Krampus tales. 1/2

Recently listened to the Uncanny episode on Road Ghosts, which reminded me of my late mum's Norfolk story. Turns out, I blogged about it in 2009 with her account! Way better than my memory. Check it out! ghostcatcherisles.com/2009/12/05/g...

Day 16 of the advent calendar: Holly Today’s focus is on holly. This beautiful plant has roots in Roman traditions, where boughs were exchanged in celebration during the festival of Saturnalia. Early Christians adopted this custom too, despite its Pagan origins. 1/2

Just listened to the Christmas episode of @weirdinthewade.bsky.social about demon dogs! I loved hearing Natalie discuss Black Shuck and Owen's tale of brave Gellert. My odd encounter with a black dog at a paranormal festival is at the end. Check it out! www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/... #demondog

If you are near Edinburgh and fancy hearing some spooky stories this weekend, this looks ace! www.noisyghost.co.uk/event-detail...

Day 15 of the Advent Calendar: Kissing Under the Mistletoe! This tradition is said to have origins in the Roman festival of Saturnalia and later became a part of Christmas in England. After a kiss, the man would pluck a berry, and once they were all gone, so were the kisses! 1/2

Exciting news! This year, I’m thrilled to be a storyteller at the Midwinter Storytelling event for the East Anglian Folklore Centre! 🗓 Dec 18th - 7 PM 📍 Online Join us for magical tales and amazing guests! Get cozy with a drink. Tickets £6: www.eventbrite.com/e/midwinter-...

This very special live episode features the wonderful Wlesh storyteller @owenstaton.bsky.social and audience stories. It's a real festive treat and I hope you enjoy it! 2/2

I was lucky enough to be in the audience for this recording. It was a fascinating evening of dark tales and folklore. You are in for a treat!

To get myself into the Christmas spirit I treated myself to a cute festive Matlock Ghost for my collection. @matlockghost.bsky.social I even got a little freebie baby ghost. ❤️ #matlockghostemporium #matlockghost #Christmas #christmasghosts #christmasspirit🎄

Day 14 of the Advent Calendar: A Yule Baby Today, let's find out about an interesting tradition: "Yule Bread". This yeast-raised cake, infused with lard, brown sugar, and sweet spices, adds a touch of comfort to winter celebrations. 1/3

I bought this glorious beauty of a book a few month back. This is "Ghostlore" by Icy Sedgwick. So many fascinating phantoms & it is such a feast for the eyes. If you are looking for a last minute Christmas gift for a ghost lover, you can't go wrong with this. #ghostlore #phantoms #booklover

For day 13 on the advent calendar, we celebrate the Aldermaston candle auction. This event, rooted in the 18th century, features bids for a pasture, overseen by the local vicar. As a candle burns down, the last bidder before the flame reaches a horseshoe nail stuck through the candle wins. 1/3

Day 12 of the advent calendar is the Yule Log. The Yule log stems from ancient winter customs in northern and western Europe. This practice was part of the Yule festival celebrated by Germanic peoples during the winter solstice. 1/3

Day 11 of the advent calendar is where we find a Wassailing bowl. Wassailing takes place on the Twelfth Night after Christmas, inviting the spirits of the orchards to ensure a bountiful harvest. 1/3

Excited to share that these zines from the @shuckhappens.bsky.social which are filled with incredible art and writing by talented creators like Gemma Oakley, @bbmiiler.bsky.social and @g0blinegg.bsky.social 1/2

I picked up a copy of "Witches" issue 27, with an excellent looking article on apotropaic magick by my pal @g0blinegg.bsky.social . Great stuff, Amy! I can't wait to dip into this! #witches #witchesmagazine #witchesofinstagram #apotropaicmagick #shropshire #magazine #reading