Butterflies and Vampires

What does a butterfly have to do with vampires?
Well not a lot, but they are connected.

In Slavic lore the soul takes the shape of a butterfly when it leaves the body. Not only during death, but also during sleep, and out of body experiences.

The soul can also take the shape of a moth, fly or bird.

When vampire corpses are staked, onlookers watch for the butterfly or moth to escape. If a butterfly is seen it must be captured. The captured butterfly is thrown into a bonfire; this will completely destroy the vampire. If the butterfly escapes, seven years of vengeance awaits the villages.

Most Slavic vampires hold grudges!

Tools Of A Witch Part 1

There are a few objects or tools that are as stereotypical as the flying witch.

Brooms

How could a witch fly if she doesn’t have broom? True witches don’t fly but they do love their brooms. The broom is used to clean. Sweeping the physical dirt from a witches’ work space. It’s also used to sweep any negative energy from a witch’s space.

Cauldron
“Double double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
A witch or witches standing around a large boiling cauldron tossing in eyes of newt and all sorts of strange named ingredients is partially true. Witches use cauldrons at times to create brews and potions. Other times to burn spells. Most of the time a cauldron is used to burn incense during rituals.

Wand
Pieces of wood usually a tree branch used for directing power. May be decorated with symbols, crystals, and or ribbons. Usually every witch has one.

Salt
Always on the altar. It represents life and one or both elements of earth and or water. Also used to mark circle.

Water
Always on the Altar. It represents spirit and the element of water. Used in consecration process.