What I’ve always been wishing is to meet a fairy in the woods or forest! At this very moment, I might be excited but never feared. And I have ever had a preference for the Scandinavian countries. Therefore, when I found this fascinating Fairy, Nymph or Goddess from there, I began to dream. 😉
By Bernard Evans Ward – Guerber, H. A. (Hélène Adeline) (1909). Myths of the Norsemen from the Eddas and Sagas. London : Harrap. This illustration facing page 58. Digitized by the Internet Archive and available from https://archive.org/details/mythsofthenorsem00gueruoft Some simple image processing by User:Haukurth, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4754177
Skogsrå, Råndan or Huldran. (lit. ’the Forest Rå‘) is a mythical female creature of the forest in Swedish folklore. It appears in the form of a small, beautiful woman with a seemingly friendly temperament. She appears like a woman from the front but seen from behind she often has a hollow back and a tail.
By Per Daniel Holm (1835-1903) – From ‘Svenska folksägner’, Herman Hofberg (1882), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=300172
A hulder (or huldra) is a seductive forest creature found in Scandinavian folklore. Her name derives from a root meaning “covered” or “secret”. … She is known as the skogsrå “forest spirit” or Tallemaja “pine tree Mary” in Swedish folklore, and ulda in Sámi folklore. Her name suggests that she is originally the same being as the völva (Germanic paganism, a seeress) divine figure Huld and the German Holda (Frau Holle by the Brothers Grimm)
| Goldmarie aus dem Märchen “Frau Holle” illustration by Hermann Vogel (1854-1921) |
The hulders were held to be kind to charcoal burners, watching their charcoal kilns while they rested. Knowing that she would wake them if there were any problems. They were able to sleep, and in exchange, the humans left provisions for them in a special place. A tale from Närke illustrates further how kind a hulder could be, especially if treated with respect. (Hellström 1985:15).
Origin: A tale recounts how a woman had washed only half of her children when God came to her cottage; ashamed of the dirty ones, she hid them. God decreed that those she had hidden from him would be hidden from humanity; they became the hulders. (Isn’t it fascinating? I love Folklore!)
Anyhow, when you are lost in the woods, just call them!
Sources:
lampmagician 
How interesting! I haven’t come across these creatures before.
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Yes, it is the feminine consciousness of the goddesses! 😉🙏
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A fascinating read! Thank you for sharing this post about them Aladin. I’ve never met these beautiful forest creatures before in a story or folktale, if so, I’ve forgotten all about them. A quick search bought up this dark wood poem all about the Huldra’s:
Huldra’s Wood
When early springtime’s night winds sing
around the steaming cattle byre,
and smoke curls high through wicker slats
above the dancing Great Hall fire;
Old women pull the children near,
with knowing looks well understood;
Tonight only a fool would stray
within the groves of Huldra’s Wood.
As daylight leaves the greening fields
and sunset paints the pale sky gold,
As far horizons fade to blue
and nightingales sing shrill and cold;
The adder in his hide curls safe
from those who seek his serpent’s blood,
he sleeps within the old stone cairn
that marks the edge of Huldra’sWood.
Above us rides the scar-faced Moon
amongst the stars in wanton haste,
whilst in the trees the tawny owls
cry shuddering across the waste
that separates our steading from
the Elfhane Host in cap and hood;
they frolic now, unbidden, deep
within the groves of Huldra’s Wood.
© Alan Hodgson
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Waps! A nice but trilling poem. Thank you, my dear Deborah.
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Thank you for introducing me to these beings and the great images. I sometimes feel like a forest creature and the world here is full of mushrooms and moss right now. I laugh imagining myself with a white tail.
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I am sure you have one 😂 and she is clearly one your best friend 🤗🙏❤❤
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Reblogged this on Have We Had Help? and commented:
More delights from Aladin.
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You have delighted my day, dear wise friend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 🙏🙏
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