Calling on the knowledge of @juergen_hubert 'nIn the Baltic Sea region, we have lots of swamps that prevent microbial decay of organic material and rusting of metal.
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Calling on the knowledge of @juergen_hubert
In the Baltic Sea region, we have lots of swamps that prevent microbial decay of organic material and rusting of metal. Their bottoms are also covered in very soft, carbon-rich silt that is perfectly black and swallows up everything dropped into the water. And Germanic folklore, has many water spirits that abduct people, never to be seen again.
Is it a common thing in Germanic folklore that such ponds are seen as portals to the Underworld?
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Calling on the knowledge of @juergen_hubert
In the Baltic Sea region, we have lots of swamps that prevent microbial decay of organic material and rusting of metal. Their bottoms are also covered in very soft, carbon-rich silt that is perfectly black and swallows up everything dropped into the water. And Germanic folklore, has many water spirits that abduct people, never to be seen again.
Is it a common thing in Germanic folklore that such ponds are seen as portals to the Underworld?
I know about several stories about such ponds in my area that are said to be bottomless. And there's well documented ancient practices of throwing weapons and human sacrifices into such ponds.
And of course in the Arthur myth, we have a spirit lady delivering a sword from the depths of a lake, and Arthur disappearing to a timeless island (on a lake?)
So the suggestion that these places are gateways to another magical world seems quite strong to me.
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Calling on the knowledge of @juergen_hubert
In the Baltic Sea region, we have lots of swamps that prevent microbial decay of organic material and rusting of metal. Their bottoms are also covered in very soft, carbon-rich silt that is perfectly black and swallows up everything dropped into the water. And Germanic folklore, has many water spirits that abduct people, never to be seen again.
Is it a common thing in Germanic folklore that such ponds are seen as portals to the Underworld?
I recall various things he has translated deal with ghost disposal methods, and dumping them in swamps or ponds is one way.
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I know about several stories about such ponds in my area that are said to be bottomless. And there's well documented ancient practices of throwing weapons and human sacrifices into such ponds.
And of course in the Arthur myth, we have a spirit lady delivering a sword from the depths of a lake, and Arthur disappearing to a timeless island (on a lake?)
So the suggestion that these places are gateways to another magical world seems quite strong to me.
@yora Absolutely! There is no shortage of lakes that are said to be the home of the Devil, for instance - here is one example:
https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_Devil%27s_Lake
Or lakes which are home to water spirits who regularly kill people:
https://wiki.sunkencastles.com/wiki/The_St._John%27s_Day_Sacrifice
Or lakes that are bottomless - heck, some are even said to have a connection to the "World Ocean" and need to be appeased with the proper rites so that they don't shatter and flood the whole region.
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I recall various things he has translated deal with ghost disposal methods, and dumping them in swamps or ponds is one way.
Indeed. Though in such stories, the primary goal is to get the evil spirits away from human habitation - so rivers, forests, or hills will do just as well, as long as they are remote.
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Indeed. Though in such stories, the primary goal is to get the evil spirits away from human habitation - so rivers, forests, or hills will do just as well, as long as they are remote.
@juergen_hubert @cptbutton But when you throw them into a deep pond, I think the implication is that they won't be able to come back from the other side.
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@juergen_hubert @cptbutton But when you throw them into a deep pond, I think the implication is that they won't be able to come back from the other side.
Well, they are usually bound to the spot with magical rites. Although sometimes there is an escape clause - i.e. they can get closer to home by one step every year.
