Povitrulya — a Wind Spirit from Slavic Mythology
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- Povitrulya — a Wind Spirit from Slavic Mythology
PovitrulyaPovitrulya is a spirit from Slavic mythology. She is also called the daughter of the Carpathian winds. She lives among the clouds and in the mountains, and can fly — which is why she is often depicted with wings. She appears as a long-haired beauty, most often with red hair, adorned with flowers or wearing quite revealing attire.
Povitrulyas have a very changeable, capricious, and unrestrained nature. Their restless, freedom-loving temperament keeps them from staying in one place for long. Yet at the same time, they are deeply good-natured and always take love's side. They can change their appearance from young to old, and in that guise encourage lovers toward more serious commitment, or reconcile them after a quarrel. Povitrulya herself is not opposed to a brief romance either — it's said such unions can even produce children. There is also a belief that if a young man is far from his beloved and dreams of her for nine nights in a row, on the tenth night a povitrulya will come to him disguised as his beloved.
Povitrulyas are unrestrainedShepherds who treat their povitrulya lovers well will always keep their herds intact. But if a povitrulya is angered, insulted, or refused something, this spirit will seek revenge. Because of her good nature, her revenge won't actually harm a person, but it will cause serious mischief — spoiling something around the farm, spooking the livestock into scattering, or something similar. But just as quickly as her anger flares up, it fades away again, and she flies off.
As for the povitrulya's wings, it's believed she removes them while bathing, and if they are stolen, she will grant any wish just to have them returned. In this way, some young men have even taken a povitrulya as a wife. But a povitrulya is not to be trusted — the moment she gets her wings back, she vanishes without a trace.
Povitrulya and her wingsA povitrulya's magic and power reside in her wings. They command the wind and can control it. Conjuring a storm or whirlwind is an everyday matter for them — one powerful enough to easily tear a tree out by its roots or twist it into a knot.
It's believed that povitrulyas dislike the cold, and as soon as the last leaf falls from the trees, they fly to the mountains, where they hide in secret caves and sleep warmly until the first flower of spring blooms.
Povitrulyas dislike the coldPovitrulyas also have a fierce enemy — the chuhaister — whom they try to avoid and never let catch sight of them. If he catches up with one, it won't end well. Why the two are enemies is unclear; it's assumed to be some kind of mutual dislike.
All in all, povitrulyas, like most Ukrainian women, are charming, freedom-loving beauties with a capricious streak — treat them gently and with love, and happiness will follow; wrong them, and you'd best watch out.
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