Who are brownies and what do they do?
In Slavic mythology, there are a huge number of different characters that live in dense forests, on high mountain slopes, reservoirs and even underground. However, mystical images of creatures living side by side with people, such as brownies, arouse the greatest interest. According to beliefs, they are in every home. But not everyone knows who brownies are and how to treat them. Let's try to figure out what these creatures are, how they can affect the family atmosphere, whether they are evil or good.
What the researchers say
People who are professionally involved in the study of paranormal phenomena have their own idea of who the brownies are and what they do in the human world. There are two main versions, according to one of which brownies are the souls of righteous people left by the Lord on earth in order to continue doing good deeds and resist evil spirits. Another version says that the real brownie is an evil spirit, which is planted in the house by a sorceress using black magic.
What does science think about this?
From a scientific point of view, the existence of a house spirit has not been proven. The vast majority of researchers are skeptical about the stories about the brownie. But there are respected people who quite seriously believe that brownies are the souls of our relatives. As a rule, they are men who died unbaptized or were not buried during the funeral. Having a huge number of sins behind them that were not forgiven, they are not able to leave the world of the living, therefore they are forced to settle where their relatives live.
The less popular version is as follows. Brownie - the soul of a woman who practiced black magic during her lifetime, and after death she became confused with the devil himself.
Slavic mythology
Slavic peoples have always respected the spirit that lives in their home. They were sure they knew who the brownies were. In their opinion, these are good spirits that do not want to harm a person. But sometimes they can afford to be a little mischievous, such as hiding something or rearranging objects in the room. However, no one held a grudge against the brownies, who thus expressed their disagreement with something, protested.
Belarusian brownie
From the legends walking around the territory of modern Belarus, you can find out that the brownie hatches from an egg that was laid by a rooster. However, in order for the spirit of the house to be born, it is necessary to carry the egg under the left armpit for six months. Then a serpent appears, which eventually grows into a brownie.
Russian spirit at home
In Russian mythology, a different origin of brownies is indicated. Until some time they lived in heaven, next to the Lord God. But then they were exiled to the world of people, as they disobeyed the Creator and even decided to organize a rebellion against him. Being expelled from heaven, the souls were forced to settle in their homes. Being among people, brownies feed on their energy.
In Russian fairy tales, the spirits of the house are often mentioned. From folk art, you can learn how to catch a brownie, how to make friends with him or drive him away. However, as a rule, there is no need to drive the brownie away, since he is a rather positive and harmless creature that loves every member of the family. This positive character is used as the main character in the book "Diary of a brownie", which literally blew up the Runet. But more on that later.
Ukrainian brownie
Who are brownies, they know in the territory of modern Ukraine. One of the versions tells us that even an animal that died during the construction of the house can become a brownie. The soul does not leave the limits of the place where the heart of its physical shell stopped, remaining to live forever within the walls of the new building.
So, some people believe that even a moth or an insect can be a brownie. But the main Ukrainian version indicates that these are still the souls of dead people. They depict the spirit of the house in the form of a small old man who lives in the warmest and driest place - behind the stove. The image of this grandfather is very similar to the one used in the book "The Brownie's Diary".
Legends of evil brownies are extremely rare. After all, as a rule, these are harmless old men with kind eyes and who have grown up to their knees. People who believe in the existence of the spirit of the house treat it with respect and warmth. They know that the brownie will never offend their owners, and will also help create family comfort, maintain harmony in relationships.
If a single woman lives in the house, then the spirit of the house will also belong to the weaker sex. According to beliefs, in a house in which there is no male energy, the soul of a witch settles. Having gone through a complex process of cleansing and getting rid of sins, she becomes a very strong protector, completely protecting the mistress of the home. The presence of the spirit of the house can be indicated by the sharp smell of lilac, even if the room is completely empty.
Brownie's appearance
Who are brownies, we figured it out a little. But how to determine that you saw exactly the spirit of the house? Some sources claim that a brownie can appear to a person in the form of an animal, such as a cow, dog, snake, cat or mouse. But as a rule, most of the legends describe him in exactly the same way as the author of the book "The Brownie's Diary": a small and bizarre little man who wears wicker bast shoes and an old, slightly shabby cap. Appearance can be described as follows:
- An elderly man with gray hair and a beard.
- A small and very frisky creature that vaguely resembles a person and has a shiny coat.
- A miniature and fluffy mouse that moves exclusively on its hind legs, and also has a human face and hands.
The presence of a brownie can be seen from the strange footprints left on the dusty surface. But remember that the spirit of the house does not like disorder and people who do not care for the room in which they live.
Those who believe that the brownie is an entity in the service of the dark forces describe it in a completely different way. For example, you can find stories in which the spirit of the house looks like a terrible giant the size of an adult bear. He is covered with dark and very dense hair, and in some cases even has huge horns. Also, he is not at all afraid of either holy water or rituals for the consecration of the house. Sometimes the brownie arranges riots on purpose to force the owner to turn to the clergy for help, who will clean the energy inside the room.
What influences the behavior of the spirit of the house
In order not to anger the brownie, it is necessary to maintain the premises in perfect order, and also do not forget to feed the real owner of the house. Leave him sweets, pour milk and share bread. It is recommended to communicate with the spirit of the house, to praise it. Only in this case, he will be able to become your real protector, protecting you from all sorts of troubles.
How to behave with brownies
In order for the spirit of the house not to disturb you, it is necessary to maintain cleanliness, as well as quarrel less with relatives, try to maintain positive energy. A lot of useful advice, written in a humorous form, is contained in the book "The Brownie's Diary", all parts of which are already on sale. The author tells about the daily life of a brownie who made friends with a cat and a puppy. Together with his furry friends, he finds himself in various life situations, making fun of certain human actions that people do.
There are no definite rules on how to behave so that the spirit of the house remains satisfied with the conditions in which you and he live. However, knowing who the brownies are, one should maintain cleanliness and order so as not to upset the invisible protector. If harmony reigns in your house, then the spirit of the house will not allow thieves to climb into your possessions, and will also prevent the occurrence of a fire.
Communication with the spirit of the house
A missing note will mean that your request has been considered, and you will receive an answer shortly. If the note you left has become crumpled or torn, this is a sign that the brownie does not want to help you in a matter that he considers wrong or pointless.
Many sources, including the Brownie's Diary, say that the old man who lives behind your stove cannot be bribed. He can only be appeased. It does not even require sweets or any special attributes. It is enough to turn to him with a kind word, sing a funny song or make a few compliments. If you are looking for a way to negotiate with a brownie, then it is possible that he will be very offended by you and play pranks.
When the spirit of the house is a danger
People leading a godless lifestyle often face manifestations of aggression from the brownie. Somewhere expensive accessories, such as gold rings or earrings, disappear from the house, and someone feels the indignation of the spirit on themselves. For example, there are many stories where people complain that they are being strangled at night. Fragile objects can also break, strange and creepy sounds can be heard.
How to deal with brownies
If it so happened that you angered the spirit of the house, which is angry with you, makes it so that harmony in the family has completely disappeared, ask him for forgiveness. The brownie always replies with kindness for kindness. The most important thing for him is that you found the strength to realize the wrongness of your own behavior and decided to change the situation for the better.
To make the brownie happy
As we already know, the spirit of the house lives in the kitchen, behind the stove. In order to create the most comfortable living conditions for him, it is necessary to follow the order. Try not to leave dirty dishes, especially at night. Hide all cutting and piercing objects from the table, and also remove salt. In each corner, you can put a trifle, saying the following words to yourself: “Neighbor-house-keeper, here’s your money for seeds and boots.”
If you are going to have a party or just waiting for guests, be sure to treat the brownie. Pour a glass of strong drink (preferably wine) and put a couple of sweets next to it, saying: “Sir brownie, treat yourself to my sweets and drink delicious wine.”
Going on vacation, be sure to talk to the spirit of the house, which will remain on the farm. So that trouble does not happen during your absence, you need to say: “Owner-father, look after the housing, and I will buy you some goodies.” When you return home, be sure to say hello.
"Brownie's Diary"
As you can see, there is nothing terrible in the image of a brownie. As a rule, these creatures try not to catch the eye, and are also real protectors of the family in which they live. This original image is used in his book "The Brownie's Diary" by the author Evgeny CheshirKo. A young man describes the daily life of a modern brownie who managed to make friends with a cat and a puppy. Together, this trio finds themselves in various funny situations, from which they find the most ridiculous way out. But despite the humorous genre of the book, each line contains a hidden meaning, a message to the reader, which makes the author's work even more interesting.