2. Circles
Circles play a large part in Polish mythology. Most
ancient Slavic people worshipped in natural circles and
groves; and it plays a large part in all kinds of folk
magic. In all traditions, circles can be made of with
lighted candles, drawing circles in the soil, or with
natural objects and tools. They are used to surround evil
or protect oneself from it.
3. Crossroads
As in other European traditions, the crossroads in Polish mythology are a sacred
and magical place where both divination and invocations were uttered. Talismans
and amulets were hung or buried there, as well as other spell work was conducted.
The crossroads were a place where all places and directions meet; and all time
faded away into the present moment.
The legacy of this tradition can be seen all across present-day Poland, where tens of
thousands of crosses and statues of the Virgin Mary stand next to major and minor
crossroads. The Catholic Church, as with many other cultures, absorbed what was
good in the symbolism of what she found there while utterly transforming its'
purpose. Accordingly crossroads were marked by crosses and statues, as special
places where wayfarers would be under the protection of saints.
4. Divination
Forms of divination in Polish mythology that were
practiced in Poland included the following: Candle wax
dripped in a glass of water was held up to the light for
interpretation; herbs thrown on the fire produced smoke
that could be interpreted by the shape of patterns it
made; finding pysanky patterns in the natural world
would yield a prediction of fortune.
5. Fire Flowers
In Polish mythology, fire flowers are mystical blooms. To find this powerful
plant the seeker had to enter a forest before midnight on the Eve of Kupala.
The flower would climb up the stalk of the fern, and precisely at midnight
it would bloom so brightly that no one could look directly at it. In order to
harvest it a circle had to be drawn around it, and the seeker had to deal
with demons trying to distract him/her from doing so. It was said that if
you answered the voices, or faltered during the task, it would sacrifice its
own life. Anyone possessing this flower gained the ability to read minds, find
treasure, and repel all evils.
6. Magic Belt of Poland
The Magic Belt of Poland is a special belt in with inscribed symbols significant in
Polish folk practices which has been missing since the end of the Second World
War. Replicas of some of the symbols are still sold to this day in occult shops online.
The original belt was 2.28m (89" long) parchment scroll with the magic symbols
inscribed on the outside and the prayers for them written on the inside of the Belt.
The Knights of Poland used it to protect them from all possible danger. Invoking
the talismans, one would take the belt off and stand in a circle with their hair
loose. These belts held knives, ladanki and were wore by both women and men. It is
possible in these everyday belts and magic belts were embossed with the symbols
and possibly come from the origin of the Key of Solomon.
7. Spoiling
In Polish mythology, spoiling is a term used to mean a curse being
on someone, or working magic against someone. One way of doing
this is measuring out the exact length of someone’s footprint with a
string, and then burning the string. A footprint in mud or snow
was dug up and buried under the victim’s house to cause grief.
Spoiling may be averted by lighting a candle if you are not face to
face with the culprit, or by spitting on the ground, or by throwing
dirt in the direction of the culprit walking away.
8. Superstitions
Superstitions have existed since the beginning of
mankind. They are the belief that particular events,
rituals, actions and objects bring good or bad luck.
Poland, like any other culture, has its own
superstitions which we are going to have a closer
look at in this article.
9. Spilling the salt
As for the spilling salt
superstition, known of
bringing quarrels, it has its
own history too, that dates
back to Middle Ages when
salt was very expensive.
Only the richest could afford
to buy this rare spice. You
can imagine a huge quarrel
when a servant spilt it. This
is why people remembered
salt spilling as something
that brings bad luck.
10. Red slip-knot
Red slip-knots are also a
popular superstition in
Poland. As red is said, in
many cultures, to undo
spells, it is very common
for Polish people to attach
red slip-knots to a babies
strollers or clothes to
protect the baby from bad
charm.
11. Talismans
People also believe in the magic power of lucky
objects such as horseshoes, elephants with raised
trunks and four-leaf clovers. Many superstitious
people wear talismans or carry lucky stones to
scare evil spirits away. Some students often bring
their lucky pens to exams.
12. Superstitions connected with holidays
There are also superstitions typical of particular
holidays. It is believed that if the first person to
enter a house on a Christmas Eve is a woman, it is
a bad omen, thus is it more preferable when a man
is the first to cross the threshold of the house.
During supper on Christmas Eve, each dish has to
be sampled. A traditional meal consists of twelve
dishes. The more you eat, the more pleasure will
await you in the upcoming year.
13. THANKS FOR
WATCHING!
GROUP 6
Piotr Marczyk (Poland)
Damian Stypa (Poland)
Konrad Szota (Poland)
Daniel Jimeno Gregorio (Spain)
Naomi Gutiérrez Frías (Spain)
