Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Vilas Database. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
The Army of Vila
Topic Started: Sunday Nov 3 2013, 03:48 PM (236 Views)
VilaWolf

ladykrampus reblogged vilajunkie

vilajunkie reblogged you
vilajunkie Source:
October 2nd 2013, 1:48:56 am · 17 hours ago

ladykrampus asked:

As a folklorist, I've got to ask. What's your definition of Vila? Next to Krampus the Vila is my favorite mythic critter and I collect the various definitions.

vilajunkie answered:

Nice! The Vila is my favorite Slavic mythical being, if not my favorite mythical being ever. My definition is mostly derived from Nancy Arrowsmith’s “Field Guide to the Little People” with a bit of “The Mythology of All Races: Celtic, Slavic” too.

I see Vily as forest nymphs that are more aggressive than their Greek counterparts and more likely to transform into animals, especially horses and falcons. However, I also see some of them as the ghosts of brides who died before their wedding day, doomed to wander the earth until they can marry a man in a Christian church. I like Vily because I’m half Polish and Vily can be seen by those born on a Tuesday, like me.

=================


ladykrampus:

YAY!

There’s one story out of Bulgaria that Vila ride elk though the sky and just pwn everyone less that history’s greatest heros in epic displays of badassary and reality bending magic that can occasionally alter the future.

Another Vila tale is that if someone is personally cursed by god they become a Vila, a never-dying ever-hungry creature that can summon storms and transform into swans. The only way to protect yourself from one of that sort of Vila is TO GIVE THEM CAKES AND STREAMERS. You have to throw them a party, basically.

=================

vilajunkie answered:

I’ve also read a folktale about Vily acting much like the dwarves in the Grimms’ “Strawberries in Winter” (sic) fairytale. Also, you can become a so-called sister of the Vily by an elaborate ritual involving circling nine times around horse hairs and horseshoes while calling on them to protect and serve you. All in all, they seem just as dangerous as the Ieles (that’s an uppercase i there) from….Romania maybe?

=================


Hey, just noticed you talking about Vilas and thought I’d add a few words about my definition of the creature. from all I’ve gathered so far from all over practically everywhere (so I’m afraid it’s not very trustworthy because I didn’t verify everything I read on the topic, but still it’s a fruit of some research, even if not a good one) So in ‘my’ definition they are, indeed, spirits of girls (maidens) that died young. Depending on the story and region they may be more or less human-friendly. On one side there are mentions of how they taught humans herblore, assisted them in need or even married some, on the other they are ‘known’ to shoot people (bow and arrow) just for trespassing into the place they are dancing in and generally capricious (as most non-evil supernatural beings in Slavic folklore). When it comes to “powers” they possess, as mentioned before they are master archers, have great knowledge of nature, can fly (either when shapeshifting, with their own wings, or by riding a winged elk, depending on the region) and control weather (eg. causing a storm by just looking at the sky, there’s also a mention of how they can disturb water by singing).
I hope I’m not forgetting anything…
Cheers (from one more silly watcher)
— fields-of-parsley

=================

yayayayasmin

November 2nd 2013, 3:19:37 pm · a day ago

In South-Slavic mythology, the Vila are believed to be female fairy-like spirits who live in the wilderness and sometimes in the clouds. They were believed to be the spirits of women who had been frivolous in their lifetimes and now floated between here and the afterlife. They usually appear as beautiful maidens, naked or dressed in sparkling beautiful white dresses, green skirts of leaves, and special fabulous blue robes.

It is said that if even one of their hairs is plucked, the Vila will die, or be forced to change back to her true shape. A human may gain the control of a vila by stealing a piece of the vila’s skin. Once burned, though, she will disappear.

The voices of the Vila are as beautiful as the rest of them, and can form large gusts of winds that can lift houses into the air. Despite their feminine charms, however, the Vila are fierce warriors. The earth is said to shake when they do battle. They have healing and prophetic powers and are sometimes willing to help human beings. At other times, they lure young men to dance with them, which according to their mood can be a very good or very bad thing for the man. They will kill any man who defies them or breaks his word. Vila rings of deep thick grass are left where they have danced; these should never be trodden upon, as this brings bad luck.
Member Avatar
Paul Naschy's Pit Bull
Quote Post Goto Top Offline Profile
« Previous Topic · General Stuff · Next Topic »
Add Reply

Theme Café Eclectic created by tiptopolive of IDS