Demons of the forests - Rusałka
Added 2024-05-12 19:08:11 +0000 UTCIn the past, the Slavic lands were covered with numerous groves, forests and backwoods. These thickets not only gave people food and shelter in the event of invasions, but were also home to demonic beings. They were called foresters, dziad borowy, leshy or gajowy. These were usually imagined as older men with long beards and bodies covered with thick bristles.
On the other hand Rusałki were imagined in a completely different way. They also lived in backwoods, but they took the form of young women with beautiful and hypnotizing voices. They sang to the unfortunates who, lost in their songs, followed them deep into the forests. There Rusałki tickled them to death.
Forest demons did not have a positive attitude towards humans. After dark, they came out of their hiding places and walked through the villages scaring those who dared to look outside.
However, they took care of forest animals (especially wolves) and guarded the forests.
It is not entirely known where such demons came from. Their legends date back to ancient times. Supposedly, these were the souls of people who died a sudden death in the forests.
Today, stories about these creatures are slowly being forgotten and the echo of their presence resounds among the trees.
I have so many photos that can illustrate forest demons but I picked those 8 images that I like best. As always - let me know if there are some other photos you think could work better here and please give me your feedback both on my photography and writing. I tried my best but English is not my first language so it can sometimes be tricky.
Love, Erinthul.
Comments
No issues reading this at all! Your English is excellent. And your photography is stunning. Really loving your Slavic demonology series. Learning so much about Slavic folklore which I now realize I knew next to nothing about!
Evan Bond
2024-11-03 22:39:28 +0000 UTCI thoroughly enjoyed your very well-written post about the Rusałki in Slavic folklore! All of these pictures of you as a forest demon are fantastic, and your talent for nude art is superb (photo 8 is glorious!), especially since a photographer isn't telling you how to pose. I also love photo 1 (that tree!), 2 (everything around you is so green, even the water), 4 (you look so enchanting wearing that white dress in the thick forest), and 7 (stunning eyes and face)!
Steven Angulo
2024-06-01 22:58:15 +0000 UTCThank you kindly!
Erinthul
2024-05-13 12:54:11 +0000 UTCThank you so much!
Erinthul
2024-05-13 12:54:04 +0000 UTCThank you so much! If I could I would pick all of them!
Erinthul
2024-05-13 12:53:39 +0000 UTCThank you so much! I am really happy you like them!
Erinthul
2024-05-13 12:53:16 +0000 UTCThank you!
Erinthul
2024-05-13 12:52:49 +0000 UTCThank you so much for your feedback!
Erinthul
2024-05-13 12:52:40 +0000 UTCYour English is really good so I wouldn't worry about that. 💚 I love that last line "the echo of their presence resounds among the trees", it is really beautiful and poetic. As for the photos, number 7 is one of my favourites of yours, but I think photo 3 fits the folklore best.
Bun Perkins
2024-05-13 11:00:57 +0000 UTCBeautiful reminds me of the Swedish huldra❣️
Magnus Börjesson
2024-05-13 06:50:58 +0000 UTCThe photos again fit the theme beautifully. These are also some of my favorites. I'd definitely be following this pretty little demon into the woods. These pics are from some of my favorites. Beautiful!❤️
Parky
2024-05-12 22:02:14 +0000 UTCThese are some amazing shots I think the last one is my fave but from the description I think the 4th one fits the best, I would follow into the forest!
Isla
2024-05-12 21:33:10 +0000 UTCSome fantastic shots in there
MovieFanobi
2024-05-12 20:22:42 +0000 UTCWow. These are my favorites ones so far!! Love them. ☺️
Cyu
2024-05-12 19:27:06 +0000 UTC
