Evil Spirits

Various spells were broken on Midsummer Night: houses were protected with sharp tools (they say witches hate that); women tied mugwort around their waists to protect them from black magic, spells and all evil. Mugwort was also hung on house, shed and barn doors; it was worn sewn into clothes or thrown into Midsummer bonfires. It was in bad taste to leave a sobótka; someone doing this was suspected of being a witch or a witcher. People believed that nixes, lamias, kelpies, demons and devils were especially active on that magic night. In the Middle Ages the church recalled John the Baptist; holy water was to chase away bad spirits.


Barbara Błońska (monthly 'Karnet')