Latvian Mythology - Demons

Demons

The Latvian beliefs on evil spirits and sorcerers likely are direct product of witch hunts in 16th and 17th centuries, though some elements may be demonization of earlier beliefs. Accordingly it was believed that sorcerers were servants of the devil. Called burvji, burtnieki (wizards) or raganas (witches) these might in reality have been folk medicine practitioners. Laumas and spīganas, terms speculated to originally refer to different notions, also were used to refer to witches in some areas. With the help of the devil they could turn into various beings or have evil spirits serve them. It was suggested that spirits of the dead might serve the devil or may be used by him to appear to humans and to turn sorcerers. Thus the demons could variously be thought to be independent spirits or spirits of sorcerers flying around. It was thought that souls of sorcerers leave their body, which becomes as dead and can be permanently killed by turning it as the soul then does not know how to return into body. There are also reports of werewolves (vilkači, vilkati) – humans who could turn into wolves. The turning usually didn't involve help of the devil, but rather a ritual, which often necessitated undressing. The werewolf would leave his or her clothing and would be unable to turn back if somebody touched the clothes. There are conflicting reports on what forces they serve. According to one view they serve the devil and guard entrance to hell during meetings of devils and sorcerers. They steal meat. However they are also reported to be "dogs of god" who fight sorcerers trying to steal flowers of grains, thus ensuring good harvest. The witches are often reported to steal milk either by themselves or by employing toads and snakes, believed to be capable of sucking it out from cow’s udder and then regurgitate on command. Another spirit, sometimes said to be sorcerer’s spirit, but often a spirit in sorcerer’s service was pūķis (dragon) – a fiery being who would steal grain and other riches and bring them to its owner. It would be red when "empty" and blue when "full" of riches. He would be kept in a separate room that would be kept very clean, where nobody could enter without owner's permission. Pūķis would be fed first bit of every food. If pūķis felt that he was not revered enough he would turn on the owner and burn the house down. A deamon sometimes related to sorcerers, but usually said to be a soul of a child condemned to haunt until the time he or she ought to have died, is Lietuvēns who tortures people, cattle and horses during the night. Similarly it is sometimes reported that Vadātājs is a ghost, sometimes of a prematurely died person, sometimes seeking to kill person in way similar to his own death. Often, however, vadātājs is devil himself. This deamon attacks travelers making them confused and unable to find the way. Oftentimes its aim seems to be to lead people to nearest body of water were they would drown.