Tales of Wihtlore

@wihtlore.uk

2845 Followers 455 Following

Welcome new followers, thank you for joining me. I tell tales, I speak lies, this is like breathing for me. Don’t come to me for truth today, for it maybe a lie tomorrow. #NoAI #Folklore #FolkloreAgainstFascism

Close-up photograph of ripe elderberries hanging in a summer hedgerow. Clusters of glossy black berries dangle from vivid crimson stems, framed by dense green leaves with a few sun-dried brown leaves tucked among them. The berries are heavy and abundant, catching the light against the lush foliage, evoking the height of the English summer before the first signs of autumn.
Green grass and mushrooms in an uncharacteristically lush area in the middle of a dry, hot, summer.
A picture of dried poppy pods
Alt text: Black-and-white graphic titled “RUNES AND THEIR MEANINGS” showing rows of runic symbols from the Elder Futhark and related Germanic runic traditions. Instead of traditional rune names or meanings, the text between and beneath the symbols carries an anti-fascist message, including statements such as “these do not belong to white supremacists”, “leave these symbols alone”, and “these do not belong to you, Nazi”. At the bottom is the anti-fascist symbol “Nazi Punks Fuck Off” beneath a DK — dead Kennedys emblem. The image asserts that runic symbols and Germanic cultural heritage should not be appropriated or claimed by Nazis or white supremacists.
On stage, a woman in Victorian-inspired clothing sits beside a table of steampunk props while a young woman in a white lace dress, with a large clock set into her bodice, sleeps against her knee. Black drapes and warm-coloured curtains frame the quiet, intimate scene, suggesting a tender moment between inventor and creation.
Mary and I dressed up just before our gig. I am dressed as a zombie guy and Mary as a goth chick with LEDs in her hair.
The image shows a dramatic coastal scene on the Isle of Wight, likely near Sandown. A two-lane seaside road curves gently alongside the beach, bordered by a strip of grass and palm-like trees. The sea is calm but dark, reflecting the moody sky above. Heavy storm clouds loom over the horizon, with patches of brighter sky and sunlight breaking through. The contrast between the storm and the light creates a sense of both beauty and foreboding. A sign near the shore reads “Welcome to Sandown.”
A photo of the script and songbook for my new musical
A stylised drawing for Lammas.
Me waking past a display for the Sandown clown.
An image from the opening titles of Catweazle
A vivid sunset over the ocean, with the lower half of the sun dipping below the horizon. The sky is ablaze with deep orange, red, and golden hues, streaked with thin clouds that catch and reflect the warm light. The sea below appears calm and dark in contrast.
A photo of the sun trying to break through the rain clouds overlooking the island.
A photo of the stage and a screen showing the first slide saying “Mystery of the Sandown Clown (Declassified)”
One of the original drawings of the Sandown clown.
A photo of a red sign that says "Path Closed, Unsafe Conditions, Do not enter"
Socks and slippers and cards. Nothing special but means everything to me.
A photograph shows a dimly lit corner of an old interior space. A leafy green vine climbs up the join between a white wall and a dark, cracked wooden panel. The panel is part of a door or wall with faded gold trim. Below the vine, there are miscellaneous items including a black bin bag, a straw hat, a patterned blue-and-white duvet or sheet, a white umbrella, and white feathers. The atmosphere feels neglected and slightly eerie.
A video of a hare bonding past as I wait on the side of a crooked path.
a picture of fox gloves growing by a fence in the middle of fields and the sea the background
A picture of a male angler fish. Male anglerfish are significantly smaller than females, and some species have evolved into obligate parasites. They are not predatory and lack the luminous lure found on the females. Instead, they use their keen sense of smell to locate females. Once a male finds a female, he attaches to her with sharp teeth, and in some cases, they fuse together, with the male losing most of his internal organs except for the testes.
This photo shows a single bright yellow dandelion flower growing in a patch of green grass. The flower stands out vividly against its surroundings, with its many narrow petals forming a full, round bloom. Around it lie thin twigs, some fallen dry leaves, and a cut or broken branch. The scene captures a moment of natural beauty; simple and untamed, where the cheerful dandelion pushes up through the lawn.
Certainly. The photograph shows a thriving plantain plant (commonly known as Weybread in Anglo-Saxon sources), growing at the base of a wooden fence beside a red-brick edging. The leaves are long, broad, and glossy with prominent parallel veins running their length—characteristic of the Plantago major species. The plant is flowering, with several tall, slender stalks bearing small, tightly packed greenish-brown flower heads tipped with white stamens, giving them a somewhat fuzzy appearance. The background includes grass, another plant with rounded leaves and white flowers (possibly mallows), and some bramble foliage creeping in from the corner. The scene is brightly lit with clear sunlight, casting soft shadows and highlighting the vibrant green of the Weybread leaves against the contrast of the wooden fence and red brick. Would you like a poetic interpretation of the image in the spirit of the Nine Herbs Charm?
Certainly. Here’s a focused, richly detailed description of the image of the chair itself, written for the visually impaired: ⸻ Image Description (for the Visually Impaired): The image depicts an ancient chair carved from reddish marble. It has a square, upright design with a flat seat and a tall, rectangular backrest. The most striking feature is a large, circular hole cut cleanly through the center of the seat. The edges of the hole are smoothly finished, indicating deliberate craftsmanship. The chair’s legs are short and sturdy, making it sit low to the ground. Each armrest is thick and blocky, formed as part of the same marble slab. The stone surface appears worn and slightly mottled, suggesting centuries of age. The overall design is simple and functional, without ornamentation—stark in contrast to the ornate surroundings of the Vatican where it is kept. The chair rests on a slightly raised platform, and soft, ambient lighting casts gentle shadows that emphasize its solidity and the curious emptiness of the seat’s central void. This is widely identified as the sedes stercoraria, the legendary “testicle-checking throne” associated with papal folklore.
A spray of delicate hawthorn blossoms leans into the sunlight, each small white flower opening like a tiny five-petaled star. Their centers are sprinkled with dark pink-tipped stamens that look like tiny candle flames. Around them, bright green leaves catch the light like thin jade fans. Behind, the world fades into soft green shadows, as if the tree is whispering secrets to the breeze.
This image shows a large, oval-shaped wicker basket filled with freshly picked elderflowers. The elderflowers are tiny, creamy-white blossoms gathered in delicate clusters, with some light green stems still attached. The basket is placed outdoors on a wooden surface with sunlight casting gentle shadows across it. The flowers appear soft and fragrant, evoking a sense of late spring or early summer foraging in the countryside.
This image shows a section of an ancient Roman mosaic from Brading Roman Villa on the Isle of Wight. The mosaic depicts a curious and mysterious figure often referred to as the “cock-headed man” - a humanoid figure with a rooster’s head. He stands upright, clothed in a tunic with outstretched arms, facing a small structure that looks like a shrine or temple. To the right, there are several animals, including a goat and what appears to be a serpent or dragon, all arranged around a long, diagonal object, possibly a spear or pole. The artwork is made from small, colored stone tiles and is partially damaged, with some sections missing or faded. The cock-headed figure is unique in Roman mosaics and has inspired local folklore and speculation, with some linking him to ancient gods, protective spirits, or even mythical hybrids.
In a quiet corner of what might be the smallest church in the land, a straw hat with a dark brim rests on a wooden peg, as if waiting for its absent-minded owner to return. The wall behind it is thick and whitewashed, worn with age and stories. Nearby, a tilted mirror leans against the wall, catching a slant of light from a latticed window that peers out onto a patch of green. A basket lies beneath the window, draped in something forgotten. The room is still, steeped in a kind of gentle magic, where time lingers like a whisper and even a hat can feel like a relic of adventure.
The image shows a narrow woodland path winding gently through a lush green forest. On either side of the path, dense clusters of wild garlic plants carpet the ground, their long green leaves topped with delicate star-shaped white flowers. The blossoms are beginning to fade, signaling the end of their season. Tall trees arch overhead, their trunks thick and covered in ivy, with fresh green leaves forming a canopy that filters soft daylight. A single bare, crooked tree stands among the greenery on the right, adding a touch of mystery to the serene and slightly overgrown scene. The atmosphere is peaceful, fresh, and a little magical.
The sign of the village of St Helens, with a goose.
A drawing from Wind in the Willows — the Mole by the riverbank for the first time. Ernest H. Shepard
A photo of petals on the woodland path in spring.
A poster about my upcoming talk about the Sandown Clown. 7th June, 7:30pm -- Never before seen evidence and documents as well as first hand accounts.
A drawing of the past Isle of Wight King, Arwald.
A drawing of an angel holding a chalice by me.
An image of children read to go out a Shroven. Singing: Shroven, Shroven, I be come a Shroven. A piece of bread, a piece of cheese, A piece of your fat baacon, Doughnuts and pancakes, All o'your own maaken; Vine vowls in a pie, My mouth es very dry, I wish I was zo well a-wet, lazing the better vor a nut. Shroven, Shroven, We be come a Shroven.
A drawing of the tall man. Standing tall with tattered bones, The black hatted man is grim, He does not look at the passers by, Only the wicked will see him. Doubting is the tall man's sport, Greasy and long is his hair, One eye is broken and hidden away, The other does nothing but stare. Fair game are you poor sinner man, Your excuses he will reject, No contrition will save your soul dear boy, When the tall man comes to collect.
A just that tells Nazis to fuck off! They are not welcome here.
A picture of hedgerow, leaves and grasses.
A sketch of the old Outlier as she walks the crooked path with the moon looking down on her through the leafless trees.
A drawing of sonic the hedgehog’s head
My two kittens in their bed, curled up together.
Our new kittens. Baled Beans the sister is curled up in their bed. They’re quiet little boy, Sushi Cat is hiding behind, just poking his head up.
Black and white cat in the bed is Baled Beans, the little head poking out behind the bed is Sushi Cat.
My son and I in Chinatown with red lanterns behind us.
Photo of me and my son at the bus stop.
A photo of me and my son on the Isle of Wight Ferry.
What and black kitten in my arms
An abstract painting with what appears to be an eye in the middle and dark red horizon. There are letters and numbers painted in too.
A drawing of a mermaid, sitting on a rock as the sun shines behind her.
A storm hitting the coast of the Isle of Wight, a huge waterspout is about to hit the cliffs of Culver
A photo of a blocked alleyway with a a broken door that leads into darkness.
A post for the Three Sisters, it shows people dressed with rabbit, Wolf and Fox masks in woods
A magical map of the Isle of Wight.