Thursday, 18 June 2020
Отава Ё - Про Ивана Groove (русское готическое R'N'B) - Otava Yo
Otava Yo (Russian: Отава Ё, ота́ва meaning "aftergrass") is a Russian folk rock band from Saint Petersburg, formed in 2003...
The Elusive Fern Flower
Fern (Athýrium fílix-fémina) – use an infusion of fern as a floor wash when cleansing the house to rid the house of evil spirits. In folk tradition, washing a house with infusion of fern helped appease Kikimora – a malevolent house spirit. Dried fern was placed in a charm-pouch for a traveler, so that he could achieve the goal of his journey. In witchcraft, fern is believed to intensify telepathic and telekinetic powers. It was used for contacting the Otherworld. As a moisture loving plant, fern was used in weather magic for summoning rain.
A legendary fern flower was a real treasure to find and keep. It was believed to protect from snakes and any malevolent spirit, bring good luck to its owner, help become invisible, attract riches, find buried treasures, etc. However, not every legend about people finding fern flower ended well. Those who searched and found it for love indeed benefited from this find fully; however, fern flower is said to avoid greedy and dishonest people. Those who obtain it solely for the purpose of gaining riches they did not deserve usually are punished with madness in the end, while all the treasures they gained with its help become nothing but a pile of ashes and shards of broken pots. Fern, and especially its mystical flower, is sacred to Perun (for more information on fern flower see “Fern Flower” in the section devoted to mystical and mythical herbs). Collect fern on Kupala’s Eve (Eve of Summer Solstice).
A legendary fern flower was a real treasure to find and keep. It was believed to protect from snakes and any malevolent spirit, bring good luck to its owner, help become invisible, attract riches, find buried treasures, etc. However, not every legend about people finding fern flower ended well. Those who searched and found it for love indeed benefited from this find fully; however, fern flower is said to avoid greedy and dishonest people. Those who obtain it solely for the purpose of gaining riches they did not deserve usually are punished with madness in the end, while all the treasures they gained with its help become nothing but a pile of ashes and shards of broken pots. Fern, and especially its mystical flower, is sacred to Perun (for more information on fern flower see “Fern Flower” in the section devoted to mystical and mythical herbs). Collect fern on Kupala’s Eve (Eve of Summer Solstice).
Fern flower is the most famous among all the mystical herbs, primarily because fern (Athýrium fílix-fémina) is a very common plant that, no matter how much we’d want to, would never produce any real flowers (for more info on the fern plant, please see “Fern”). Researcher of Russian traditions, academic I.P. Sakharov writes the following about this plant: “Female fern, or fern is collected on St. John’s Day, with special rituals and incantations. According to folk view, only fern flower contains its power; it blooms only on St. John’s Eve and is protected by evil forces. Villagers provide all the details of fern blooming. Let’s repeat their story.
At midnight, from the bush of broad-leaf fern, a flower bud appears. It moves back and forth, then rocks like a river wave, then hops like a live bird. All of this happens because evil forces are trying to hide the precious blossom from human eyes. Then, expanding and growing upwards every minute, it blooms like hot coal. Finally, at 12 am precisely, the star-like flower unfolds with a cracking sound; its flame shines upon itself and in the distance. At the very same moment, evil forces show up and collect this flower.
At midnight, from the bush of broad-leaf fern, a flower bud appears. It moves back and forth, then rocks like a river wave, then hops like a live bird. All of this happens because evil forces are trying to hide the precious blossom from human eyes. Then, expanding and growing upwards every minute, it blooms like hot coal. Finally, at 12 am precisely, the star-like flower unfolds with a cracking sound; its flame shines upon itself and in the distance. At the very same moment, evil forces show up and collect this flower.
One who dares to collect a fern flower must enter the forest in advance, find the bush [of fern], cast a circle around himself and wait for it to bloom. He has to be firm and unhesitant against evil forces, withstand all the temptations, be indifferent to all transformations of evil force. If he turns around when someone calls his name, the evil forces would twist his neck, or strangle him, or leave him mad for the rest of his life. So far, villagers don’t know anyone who was able to collect the fern flower besides sorcerers. Fern flower has a power over evil spirits, allows one rule over earth and water, find buried treasures, and become invisible. All this power would belong to the one that comes into possession of this flower. As they search for buried treasures, the seekers throw fern flower up in the air. If there is a buried treasure nearby, the flower would fly over it like a star and then fall straight to the ground.” (I.P. Sakharov, “Tales of Russian People: Tales of Russian Sorcery”)
Many ideas are suggested as to whether the fern flower really exists. Some say certain type of fungus may infect fern leaves and make them glow at night; others are certain that this is just a fairytale invented for fools; thirds claim that fern flower is not physical but appears as a burst of energy coming straight from the plant – this is why it is so difficult to collect it. Where is the truth? We wouldn’t know unless we experience it ourselves.
Slavic people believed that all herbs became magical on Kupala’s Eve. At this time, they could talk to humans and each other, bloom with absolutely magical “fiery” flowers, show a way to buried treasure, and even move, running away from an unworthy person daring to collect them. Who knows, maybe all these legends will come to life once again on this Kupala’s Eve, only if we are brave enough to open ourselves to nature and believe in Kupala’s magic, just as our ancestors a did long time ago.
- MagPie (aka Olga Stanton)
Thursday, 11 June 2020
Hulla, Skogsra, Skogsfru, Tallemaja, Pine Tree Mary...
In Norwegian folklore it is believed a fairy-woman or nymph named Huldra ("secret" or "hidden") lives in the forest or mountains. Sometimes, she is said to be beautiful, but seen from behind, revealed to be hollow. Other times, she is said to be blue-skinned. In areas where she is known as "skogsnerte" ("blue"), she is said to be coloured blue and wearing a green petticoat.
As Huldra (by which she is most often known), she wears a blue petticoat and a white snood that barely covers a cow-like tail. She is particularly fond of brindled cattle, and keeps a herd of hornless cows. In the mountains, her song can be herd over a great distance- a low and mournful tune.
As Huldra (by which she is most often known), she wears a blue petticoat and a white snood that barely covers a cow-like tail. She is particularly fond of brindled cattle, and keeps a herd of hornless cows. In the mountains, her song can be herd over a great distance- a low and mournful tune.
Aleksander L Nordaas
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