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Litavitsya
In its traditional form, Litavitsa appears as the embodiment of the air element. She is depicted as a beautiful woman with long, flowing hair that seems to blend with the wind, and light, almost transparent clothing that resembles clouds or fog. Her movements are smooth and fast, as if she is gliding through the air, controlling the element of wind. It appears during storms or strong winds, bringing a change in weather — from a light breath of wind to dangerous storms. Litavitsia can be both benevolent and dangerous. She is able to help travelers or, when angry, lift them into the air and throw them into impassable places.
Approval and Protection:
To propitiate Litavitsa in aerial form, people left gifts of bread, grain or honey at crossroads or on the edges of forests. These gifts symbolized respect and a request for protection. It was believed that by leaving such sacrifices, you can avoid the anger of Litavitsa and protect yourself from strong storms. Protective means were wormwood and St. John`s wort, which were carried with them or hung near doors and windows so that the spirit of the wind could not enter the house.
Symbolic protective actions were also used, such as carving crosses on gates and doors, which created a barrier for Litavitsa. If a storm was approaching, people approached it with ritual dances and songs to ask for favorable weather. It was a kind of way of pacifying the spirit of the air.
In her fiery form, Litavitsa appears as a serpent-like fiery creature that sweeps across the sky, leaving a trail of fire behind her. Her body resembles a writhing flame, and her movements resemble lightning that flashes in the sky. Her eyes glow like hot coals and she can summon lightning and storms. In this image, Litavitsa represents the dangerous element of fire, capable of destroying buildings and causing fires. Her appearance is associated with thunderstorms and strong storms, when she can ignite everything in her path.
Approval and protection:
To protect themselves from the fiery litany, people used holy water to sprinkle houses, especially roofs and wooden structures, to prevent lightning strikes. The holy water was considered a strong talisman against the spirits of fire and lightning.
Iron was also an important protective agent. Horseshoes or other iron objects were hung over doors and windows to prevent Litavitsa from entering the house. This was considered an effective method of protection against lightning and fire. In addition, they used amulets made of herbs, in particular lovage and yarrow, which were supposed to protect the house from fire.
During the approach of a thunderstorm, people read special prayers or conspiracies, turning to the higher powers with a request to protect them from the fiery Litavitsa and its destructive power. These rituals were supposed to appease the spirit and protect against natural disasters that Litavitsa could bring in her fiery form.
Approval and Protection:
To propitiate Litavitsa in aerial form, people left gifts of bread, grain or honey at crossroads or on the edges of forests. These gifts symbolized respect and a request for protection. It was believed that by leaving such sacrifices, you can avoid the anger of Litavitsa and protect yourself from strong storms. Protective means were wormwood and St. John`s wort, which were carried with them or hung near doors and windows so that the spirit of the wind could not enter the house.
Symbolic protective actions were also used, such as carving crosses on gates and doors, which created a barrier for Litavitsa. If a storm was approaching, people approached it with ritual dances and songs to ask for favorable weather. It was a kind of way of pacifying the spirit of the air.
In her fiery form, Litavitsa appears as a serpent-like fiery creature that sweeps across the sky, leaving a trail of fire behind her. Her body resembles a writhing flame, and her movements resemble lightning that flashes in the sky. Her eyes glow like hot coals and she can summon lightning and storms. In this image, Litavitsa represents the dangerous element of fire, capable of destroying buildings and causing fires. Her appearance is associated with thunderstorms and strong storms, when she can ignite everything in her path.
Approval and protection:
To protect themselves from the fiery litany, people used holy water to sprinkle houses, especially roofs and wooden structures, to prevent lightning strikes. The holy water was considered a strong talisman against the spirits of fire and lightning.
Iron was also an important protective agent. Horseshoes or other iron objects were hung over doors and windows to prevent Litavitsa from entering the house. This was considered an effective method of protection against lightning and fire. In addition, they used amulets made of herbs, in particular lovage and yarrow, which were supposed to protect the house from fire.
During the approach of a thunderstorm, people read special prayers or conspiracies, turning to the higher powers with a request to protect them from the fiery Litavitsa and its destructive power. These rituals were supposed to appease the spirit and protect against natural disasters that Litavitsa could bring in her fiery form.