Demons of the forests - Rusałka (Patreon)

In 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.