Melkor and Sauron

 It is interesting to see a Lord of the Rings group that is named for two of the bad guys of Middle Earth. The group is more focussed around the tales of the Second Age, as collected within works such as The Silmarillion, and Tolkien's literary legacy, rather than the cinematic interpretation thereof. Another great feature here, is the inclusion of fan art, mostly of Melkor and Sauron, who were described at beautiful and elf-like in their appearance. So, expect a decidely dark art and elf-noire aesthetic. There are occasionally posts about Lord of the Rings and the Third Age, but not that much. It's a great space for Tolkien superfans. 

Members: 45.6k members at time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join.

Animals in Art through History

Is it my imagination or are cats and cat art disproportionately well represented in this space? Not that I'm complaining. Quite the opposite in fact. The featured art ranges from ancient history to works just completed, and shows birds, snakes, dogs, horses, rabbits, otters, oxen, camels, lobsters and even dragons amongst its subject matter. While most of it is traditional media, I also found a gorgeous mural of a giraffe mural from Utrecht in the Netherlands. Posts are predominantly visual and shows a staggering variety of styles. It's a great Facebook group for discovering animal themed art, whether old or new. 

Members: 68.7k, at time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join.

The Darker Side of Science

If you've ever wondered what plutonium tastes like, whether atoms have colors or how long it's taken our planet to travel from the other side of the galaxy, look no further. You have found your tribe. This Facebook group is all about the wonder of science, and covers a wide range of fields, such as biology, astronomy, physics, mathematics, archaeology and loads more. There are cartoons too. And memes. And jokes. Even a passing Monty Python reference. The content is mainly for people who don't mind letting their grey bits do a daily workout. 

Members: 753.6k at time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

Cat Memes

Any cat owner will recognize the wonderfully ironic contradiction that is inherent in their pets. They are adorable, yet aloof. Intelligent, and silly. Dignified, yet playful. Independent, yet uncannily symbiotic with their humans. Any cat owner will find many of the cat memes instantly recognizable, as it expresses both the love and exasperation that many feel towards their cats. Cuteness overload may happen, especially when there are kittens involved. Many memes will make you laugh out loud or chuckle quietly. This Facebook group for cat lovers is the perfect cure for a rainy day and one of the best things to add to your news feed. 

Members: 1.1 million, at time of writing

Trigger Warnings: none

Go here to visit or join.

Forever Fall and Halloween

 If you love the smell of pumpkin spice and the sound of anything that goes bang or boo in the dark, then this Facebook Group is most definitely for you. There are many posts about horror movies to get you into the mood for Halloween. I also enjoyed several spooky art interpretations. Get ideas for porch decorations, costume design and other assorted accessories. Pay a virtual visit to some spooky places. For anyone who believes that Halloween should not be limited to one day or even one season. 

Members: 1.9 million at time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Horror and all things witchy. Avoid if you are overly religious.

Go here to visit or join.

Rome and Constantinople (New Rome). The Roman (and Byzantine) Empire

How often do you think of the Roman Empire? Daily? Weekly? Whatever your answer to this TikTok trending question, the Roman Empire remains relevant for the role it played in shaping the world we live in. Our current calendar is based on one devised by Julius Caesar and our legal system contains numerous concepts that have their roots in Rome. For a daily dose of Roman history posts, you could do worse than including this Facebook group in your social media news-feed. What's interesting is that it focuses not only on ancient city of Rome, but also the later divided kingdom, and the eastern empire that was centered in Constantinople. You will see glorious Byzantine churches, ruins in Tunisia, coins, forts and much, much more. There are also numerous posts that analyze the legacy of important figures from Rome and the Byzantium. 

Members: 30.4k at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Non-English posts (which can be translated)

Go here to visit or join. 

A Gathering of Crones... Reoccupying archetypes of the mature feminine

As a mature woman well on the way to cronedom (or is it cronehood?), I am already enthralled by this Facebook group's name. So naturally, I had to investigate. And I was not disappointed. One of the very first posts, contained a ode to the wonders of feminine solidarity. The community celebrates creativity and wisdom. It's a wonderful, wonderful space. Recognize those little flints of yourself in snapshots, cats, woods and hedges, quotes, artwork and so much more that puts women of a certain age at the heart of the universe, where they undoubtedly belong. Discover the magic that hides inside everyday things. By random chance, my visit coincided with the Wednesday Crones Bazaar Day event.

Members: 16.6k, at time of writing. 

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join.

Raypunk

The term Raypunk was coined to describe stories and images that hark back to the ideals and plots of classic era science fiction. Think back to the pulp publications of the 1950s and 1960s, to rayguns, little green men and tentacled monsters. It's all there in lurid detail, ranging from classic cover art to high drama among the stars and on distant planets. There are also cartoons featuring Raypunk humor, little digs at Lovecraftian images and thought-provoking fan art that takes its inspiration from Raypunk's retro-futuristic aesthetic. Some of the art is really good and what I liked about this Facebook group that there is a strong tradition of crediting featured artists. 

Members: 166.2k at time of writing

Trigger Warnings: Scantily clad young women; sexist humor

Go here to visit or join. 

Phucked Up and Filosophical

 So, how about a title that goes with Friday. Well, sort of. What I liked about this online community, is its willingness to assess the human race honesty - warts and all - and, let's be honest, as a species, we do have many short-comings. It's a great place for finding that snarky come-back to almost any situation or taking pot-shots at normality - from a safe distance, of course. There are somewhat more text-only posts than I see in many Facebook groups, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Hang out with the filosophers for mental gymnastics, sometimes chilling sentiments and reality checks, as well as quotes by anyone from Carl Jung to Hunter S. Thompson. 

Members: 242.1k, at time of writing

Trigger Warnings: Cuss words

Go here to visit or join. 

Castles in the World

Castles make some of the most intriguing tourist attractions in the world. But one thing you'll notice very quickly when browsing through the images posted on this Facebook Group is the fact that not all castles are created equal. From humble, dark age fortifications to the opulence of Versailles and jaw-dropping towers that perch precariously from steep cliffs, the sheer variety in historical architecture is astounding. Some castles are citadels that once housed vibrant communities. Others are now little more than ruins. There are castles that fit perfectly into their surroundings, be it hilltop or port-side. Example are the beautiful Mont St Michel in Normandy, Artana Castle in Kosovo, and Cochem Castle in Germany. Feed your appetite for fairy-tales and fantasy. 

Members: 301.6k at the time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Episcopal Cats with Problems

 What on earth is an episcopal cat? That was the first question that came up with me upon discovering this group. But I was not alone. Being helpful as always, one group member made a post about this very question. Which (naturally) evoked a fascinating discussion on the nature of cats and their religious affiliations and persuasions. The nature of the problems covered here touches on a wide spectrum of problems, ranging from the frivolous to the very serious. As such, the community also offers support, reassurance and condolences to cat parents or cat fosters with questions, tips or sadness to share. There are snapshots posting "evidence" of felines behaving badly or just living by their own moral code. There are also stories of cats caught in heart-warming moments. If you are looking for a place to share all of your cat's awesomeness, you will be preaching to the converted on this space. For more suggestions on awesome Facebook groups for cat lovers, check out the following article. 

Members: 74.1k, at time of writing.

Trigger warnings: the sad stories.

Go here to visit or join.

Kruger Sightings

If you're unable to get away for a game drive sighting Africa's Big Five, the next best thing has to be adding the Kruger Sightings Facebook Group to your social media news-feed. It is the perfect platform for sharing and viewing photos and video clips taken of different types of wildlife in the Kruger National Park. As the king of the jungle and a favorite topic, lions pictures take prominence here. You will see cubs, family groups and occasionally a beloved individual, such as Casper the white lion. There are also leopards, elephants bringing traffic to a stop, hyena, zebra, bucks and antelope, kingfishers, fish eagles, horn-bills, guinea fowl, ostriches hyena and even the elusive cheetah and a rare black rhino. There are also photos of typically African scenery, water holes, base camps and golden sunsets. Enjoy the beauty of South Africa's largest national park. 

Members: 201.9k, at time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: Occasional images and footage of carnivores feeding.

Go here to visit or join.

Podcast Recommendations

 Here's a fun fact. Did you know that the term podcast was coined by Ben Hammersley of The Guardian in the same year that Mark Zuckerman first launched Facebook? Incredible, isn't it? Now, nineteen years later, you can connect with an online Facebook community of podcasting enthusiasts to find out what to stream next. Podcasts are great for listening to something while you're engaged in some monotonous or mundane activity and there are so many options to choose from. From football, wrestling and formula one for sports-fans to entrepreneurship, environmental issues and educator support. There are also podcasts on music, monstrous cryptids, religion, mysteries, petty crime and serious crime. If you are a pod-caster yourself, this is a great platform for promoting your programs - whether it's specific upcoming episodes or just a shout out to let everyone know what you're doing. You can also post calls for interviews on any niche topics you might be tackling. If you are a listener looking for your next podcast, ask for recommendations in your favorite genres. 

Members: 38.6k at the time of writing.

Trigger Warnings: None.

Go here to visit or join. 

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I AM AN ARTIST

 I really enjoyed visiting the I AM AN ARTIST Facebook group, and many of the images made me even happier. While there are a few works in more unusual media (such as machine embroidery), the majority of the posted art can be described as either drawings or paintings. I found that the standard of work was quite high and there are tips in the comments. Some pieces obviously represents many hours of work, as well as a lifelong dedication to the improvement of the craft and I felt honored to be able to see it. A few works featured personal themes or subjects - such as portraits of pets or family members. When you post, you can reach out to other members to critique your work, but there is a strong emphasis on keeping this a safe space to share art. The group excels at being nurturing and supportive. It's proof positive that art and talent transcends all boundaries. Kudos to creator Liam Constable for fostering such an awesome community. 

Members: 1.2 million at the time of my visit. 

Trigger Warnings: None. 

Go here to visit or join. 

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

 The launching of the James Webb Space Telescope on Christmas day, 2021 represents an important milestone in the history of space exploration. It has already played a huge role in expanding our knowledge and understanding of the universe. If you want to see new discoveries in your online feed and celebrate older ones, The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will fill you with a sense of awe and wonder. Image comparisons between Hubble and James Webb are an important component of this group, but there are also links to articles and lectures, as well as facts on the solar system, video clips, individuals who played an important role in the space race, and details about current and ongoing space missions.

Members: 1.6 million at time of writing

Trigger Warnings: None

Go here to visit or join. 

Between The Ears

 For a generous dose of Armchair equestrianism at its finest, visit  this charming Facebook group that offers equestrian postcards from anywhere and everywhere. The mission statement is simple. if you have a horse, ride, snap and post your photos and video clips. See an amazing diversity of local scenery from horseback. Read the stories of trials and triumphs shared equine partners. Occasionally, dogs and cats are featured too, but it's mainly about hacking and horses. Look in on the occasional horseback safari in Africa. Enjoy the tranquility of British bridle paths. Pause beside the timeless mystery of Stonehenge. Experience fall in New Brunswick or quaint waterscapes in Italy. Unspoiled nature in Finland or Sweden. A Beach in New Zealand. Wild bush-land in Tasmania. Wyoming. California. Oregon. Serbia. Bulgaria. The Czech Republic. Burkina Faso. See all the places where a horse can take you. 

Members: 264.4k at time of writing

Trigger warnings: None. 

Go here to visit or join. 

Knitting for Beginners

If you are new to knitting and you don't know anyone to help you through the tough bits, Knitting for Beginners looks like an awesome Facebook group to turn to for support, encouragement or inspiration. Share your work. Share your progress. Demystify the pattern jargon or techniques you don't understand. Ask advice, if you can't figure out what you did wrong. Find out how to tweak your socks to make them fit. There's usually someone available who knows something you don't. Expect to admire plenty of socks, beanies, baby jackets, scarves, sweaters and even the odd knitted toy.

Members: 315.5k at time of writing. 

Trigger warnings: None.

Click here to visit or join. 

History for the Witty 2.0

 At its best, this Facebook group is a fusion of pop culture and historical media. You see historical photos with an up-to-date spin on it. There are jokes that may have taken centuries or even millennia to be set up. There may be bathroom humor and sexual innuendo with more history thrown into the mix. See ignorance cleverly trolled. Let vintage media surprise you. Enjoy media, memes and assorted thoughts that mix up today with any number of yesterdays. A sense of humor will be mandatory for maximum enjoyment. 

Members: 279.7k at time of writing. 

Trigger warnings: nudity and inappropriate/adult humor. 

Click here to visit or join.

The Magic Continues...

It's been almost fourteen years since I started the Facebook Group of the Day blog and twelve years since the last post. This was the first themed blog I created and I loved everything about it... until Facebook began tinkering with things and searching for new groups became increasingly challenging difficult.

I revisited this blog as I was updating my writing portfolio and realized that the awesome Facebook Groups had not quite vanished. In fact, the Covid-19 pandemic gave their popularity a considerable boost. What surprised me, was how little other material was written on the nature of Facebook Groups.

This article estimates that there might be as many as 100 million Facebook Groups and claims that they began around October 2020. But that's not quite the whole story. As my blog chronicled, Facebook already had a wide and diverse selection of groups around 2009 and this post on Quora puts the date as far back as at least August 2005. The early groups were closer the subreddits on Reddit - mostly verbal and unbashfully eccentric with lots of fun threads.

Today's groups are completely different in formatting and depends far more on image-based media, but the zany humor is still there. Which is why I'm reviving the mission. More soon.