Witch's circle: where and why mystical mushroom rings grow

Legends and myths about mushroom rings

Myths and legends about mysterious circles are mainly associated with fairies and other supernatural beings. Some also believed that they appeared in places where stars fell to the ground or lightning struck. And, of course, the mushroom rings were attributed to the work of witches. Such beliefs persisted until the 19th century. People were strictly punished not to enter the ominous circle, so as not to find themselves in the kingdom of insidious fairies and inevitably perish there.

Mushroom circles are known to all Europeans. In France, they were called rings of magicians, in Germany - rings of witches, and in Celtic, Scandinavian, British and other European cultures, they are considered creations of elves and fairies, created during the hours of night dances under the moon.

Photos from open sources

The Scots believed that the fairies used mushrooms as tables and chairs, and the Welsh people believed that they were their umbrellas. By the way, in Wales today they think that such circles indicate a magical underground village. In Welsh folklore, they are a sign of wealth and fertility: next to them, they say, it is good to cultivate the land and graze livestock. But Dutch legends say that the middle of the mushroom circle is barren because the devil himself put his flask of milk in this place.

Mythology [edit | edit code]

Stories about "witch rings" are popular in mythology: it is believed that in these places elves or forest spirits dance at night.

There are many legends among different peoples (most often Scots, Swedes and Irish) about how elves invited mortals (most often knights) to join their round dance and take part in a dance. At the same time, if a person refused, the vengeful elves sent terrible diseases and misfortunes to him. And if he agreed, then in the morning, when the magic of the elves dissipated, the man was found dead in the center of the witch's circle. Roger Zelazny, in his epic novel The Chronicles of Amber, used and adapted the ancient Celtic myth of the witch's ring:

English folklore attributes the origin of this natural phenomenon to the nocturnal round dances of fairies, in the place of which many mushrooms grow in the morning. In Germany, it was believed that such rings arise on the site of the witches' Sabbath. Today, such phenomena are sometimes attributed to a mystical origin.

Such circles were popularly called "Witch's rings". In fact, the explanation here is not mystical, but quite common. The fungus gradually depletes the soil and takes over a new area where the soil is fertile. Mushrooms do not grow inside the circle, as the soil becomes poor in nutrients. The circle gradually widens, and can reach several meters in diameter. "Witch's circles" can form toadstools, champignons, honey agarics and other mushrooms.

Other myths

In contrast, Dutch legends have said that the barren center of the ring was where the devil placed his churn. Austrian tradition held that flying dragons summoned rings, destroying the fertile soil so that only toadstools could grow there for seven years.

French folklore believed that strange circles were guarded by giant toads that curse anyone who enters the ring. Therefore, the belief claims that you cannot enter the ring.

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Can science explain the riddle?

Currently, this natural phenomenon is well studied. Mycelium is a common fungus that grows in fertile, moist soils. In good conditions, the spores turn into mushrooms (the most famous of which is the edible Scottish mushroom, or fairy ring champignon). The mushrooms emerge from the ground and create a highly visible ring.

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Under the ground, the mycelium forms a network under the grass, moving outward from the center and feeding on organic matter and decomposing as it travels. Dead mycelium forms a thick, water-repellent mat that strips the grass roots of nutrients and moisture. Eventually, the ground inside the ring wilts and starves to death, but the leading edge of the ring remains lush and green as the feeding / dying and decaying mycelium releases fertilizer. This cycle can go on for centuries, and the ring grows, contracts and moves through the countryside, delighting some and disturbing others.

Legends of the peoples of the world

In different parts of the world, you can unexpectedly stumble upon a circle of mushrooms, in the center of which there is little grass or no vegetation at all. The origin of this phenomenon had different interpretations. What our ancestors could not explain, immediately ascended to the category of magical and dangerous. Witch's rings made of mushrooms were met in different parts of the world. Most often they were observed in countries such as:

• Austria;
• England;
• Germany;
• Ireland;
• Iceland;
• Sweden;
• Scotland;
• North America;
• France.

Beliefs of Austria and Germany

The Austrians, and especially the inhabitants of Tyrol, have always believed that a circle of mushrooms was formed in the place where the terrible serpent touched the ground with its fiery tail. Albert Ring - this is how the formation in this region is called, the snake Albert burned out when he flew by. Especially often it was possible to find such magical places in the summer months, when the mountain fabulous inhabitant of the Alps was observed to be more active.

The pragmatic Germans were sure that the witch's ring of mushrooms is a sure sign of the presence of evil spirits in this place. They cautiously avoided such forest surprises, believing that they were created by witches for their sabbaths and rituals. The peasants never grazed livestock near such marks, as they believed that if the animal entered the circle, it would stop giving milk forever.

The people of Ireland have always believed unconditionally and still believe in gnomes. The people of this country will confidently tell anyone who wishes that crop circles and forest edges are the tricks of these fabulous creatures in green or red caps.

In Iceland, it was believed that a round mushroom mark appears only where the rainbow, along which the leprechauns moved, touched the ground. In such places, according to myths, a treasure in the form of a chest with gold coins should be buried.

From Sweden to America

The population of Sweden saw in such a phenomenon as the witch's circle, the tricks of the elves. It was believed that fabulous creatures dance in these places on a full moon, and when they especially want to have fun, they invite heroes to their round dance. Allegedly, as soon as an unsuspecting daredevil entered a dancing round dance, he disappeared from sight for all living. Often such "dancers" were found dead in the morning, lying serenely in such natural formations.

Threatened danger and those who dared to approach such places of strange growth of mushrooms - he fell ill with a serious illness called elfenblester. Such ailment was especially striking for curious children and adolescents.

The ancient inhabitants of America considered rings in an open area where no grass grows to be tricks of spirits. In such places, Indian shamans often performed their rituals and considered them places of power and gates to another, subtle, world. It is noteworthy that it was on this continent that scientists discovered the largest mushroom formations, which are more than 800 years old.

French and Slavs

The French were convinced that the mushroom witch circles were guarded by giant toads that served the invisible inhabitants of the forest. Being vigilant and strict watchmen, the mythical amphibians sent terrible troubles to those who were not afraid to enter the circle.

There are legends about witch circles among the Slavic peoples. People have always believed that mushrooms in the forest or on the lawn "dance in a round dance" for a reason, but because the witch hid her treasure here. Only the one who bathed the magic grass on the night of Ivan could find a fabulous treasure and rub his eyes with it. This mystical plant was called tear-grass, and it bloomed from 12 to 13 July. And the fact that no one has yet been able to see a chest with good in the circle of mushrooms was explained by the fact that the plant blooms for only a few minutes, and during this time no one has time to read the protective prayers.

There were even several ways to get in and out of the ring unscathed. According to one version, in order for the fairies not to stick with the offer to dance, you need to run around the mushroom circle clockwise 9 times. Another legend advised those who still wanted to enter the circle and get out of it alive and well, to do so only on the full moon. At the same time, one could hear strange music and even see dancing fairies, but remain invisible to them.

Circle of fairies, or witch's circle - legends and meaning

Elven rings, fairy circles, and witch circles are mushroom circles that are sometimes found in forests far from human habitation. Their diameter can reach from several tens of centimeters to several meters. Such circles are most often formed by poisonous mushrooms, and they usually appear in poorly visited places.

Witch circle

European folklore attributes the appearance of the witch's circles to the dances of fairies, forest spirits, as well as witches' gatherings and sabbaths. If you believe the legends, sometimes dead people were found in the center of such circles. The fairies invited passers-by to take part in their dances. They killed those who agreed in the morning, and those who disagreed were punished with diseases.

Another interpretation of the witch's circle is one of the synonyms for the coven or coven, that is, a group of witches who practice one tradition, the direction of witchcraft. There is also a magic circle - a sacred space in which the ceremony takes place. It is created in various ways, as usual, it all depends on the type of magic.

In general, most magical attributes are attributed to witches exclusively by legends and tales of different times. But some of them are actually used by sorcerers even in our time. Some of the legends have a lot to do with the truth.

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Rings in the desert

We can mock the traditional superstition of magic rings in our time, but until recently, scientists were still trying to explain the so-called "fairy circles" taking place in Africa. It is reported that in Namibia in southern Africa, for unknown reasons, there are round spots on sandy fields. The circles behave like mycelium growth, persist and then disappear after decades. But scientists have ruled out the presence of the fungus. Just last year, they were puzzled as to why these rings appeared in a remote, arid landscape.

In 2020, scientists published a report that African fairy circles can be explained by a combination of two ecological forces: groups of root-bearing sand termites fighting for resources underground, and self-organizing plants competing for water below the surface. Both have been suggested as possible reasons in the past, but the two forces were not combined until Princeton University's Corina Tarnita and her team created computer simulations with both factors in action. Together, these two processes create patterns that mimic at least some of the circles found in the Namib Desert. The researchers do not suggest that their simulation can explain all of the fairy circles. "We're getting a much more complete description of the patterns," Tarnita said, "by combining the effects of simulated termites with those of competing plants."

The mysterious rings of Africa can be anywhere from 2 to almost 12 meters in size. The circles appear and then disappear, leaving the "ghost circles" behind.

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Legends of mushroom rings

There are many different beliefs about magic circles. Most of the myths are associated with fairies, other supernatural beings, or dancing around the ring. It was believed that it served as a door to the fairy kingdom.

It was believed that the mushroom circles formed shooting stars, lightning strikes, or it was the work of witches. Such beliefs persisted into the 19th century. It was strictly forbidden to enter the mushroom ring so as not to end up in the kingdom of fairies, where imminent death awaited a person.

These circles are known throughout Europe. In France they were called rings of magicians, and in Germany - rings of witches. They were allegedly most active on Walpurgis Night, April 30th. On this night, witches are believed to meet and hold celebrations in honor of the arrival of spring.

Fairies dancing in rings. Painting by Richard Dadd, 1842 Photo: Public Domain

In British, Scandinavian, Celtic and other traditional European cultures, mushroom rings are believed to be created by fairies or elves during night dances. Such events were associated with moonlit nights.

In Scotland, fairies were believed to sit on mushrooms or use them as tables during the holidays. While in Wales, mushrooms are believed to be the umbrellas of the fairies. Even now, people in Wales believe that the rings represent an underground fairytale village.

Welsh folklore sees rings as a sign of fertility and wealth. They say it is good to graze livestock around them and grow crops.

Ring of Mushrooms User: Mrs skippy / ru.wikipedia.org / Public domain

In contrast, Dutch legends say that the sterile center of the ring is caused by the devil placing his milk can there.

In Austria, it is believed that flying dragons created the mushroom circles, and for seven years only toadstools can grow around.

In France, it was believed that strange circles of mushrooms were guarded by giant toads, casting a curse on anyone who entered the ring.

The witch's circle of power gives amulets

And what about a man? Rural healers have never neglected natural, and therefore natural, means of getting rid of diseases and troubles. So, in addition to harvesting herbs, the witch's circle gives the strongest amulets, it is easy to get them. For example, popular rumor prescribes the following ritual practices for these places:

To get rid of a series of troubles, for example, crop failure, poverty or the death of livestock, you need to find a Vedic circle of strength from deciduous trees in the fall and break a small sprig. Ideally, if it is aspen, mountain ash, ash, oak or juniper. This amulet is brought home and placed in a red corner, for example, behind an icon.

Pay attention - to create such a talisman, freestanding trees growing next to the witch's mushroom path are quite suitable.

To get rid of evil people, envious people and gossips, find a Vedic circle of power with aspen, juniper or mountain ash growing nearby. Gently break off a larger spear from the tree

Amulets made of dead wood are considered especially strong in this matter! This ritual should be done on the eve of the full moon. Bring the spear home and place it near the door or clip it over the door rail with the arms facing down. Everything! Home amulet is ready!

For well-being in the house, it is necessary to create a witch's talisman from spruce (pine) cones, acorns or chestnuts on the growing moon. Pick up an odd number of fruits and bring home. One cone (acorn) must be placed in the red corner, the rest are distributed to the household. It is good to carry such a money talisman in a bag or backpack every day.

Another ritual that gives prosperity goes back to the Vedic traditions of appeasing the owner of the forest, that is, the devil, with gifts. So, our ancestors annually in the fall left at the edge of the forest or near the witch's circle offerings of honey, colored rags tied to trees and other fruits of their labor and needlework. Have you gone for the amulet? Be sure to remember about the goblin!

On this we wrap up Good to everyone!

And what scientists tell us about it

Scientists are well aware of this natural phenomenon. The fungus, as we know, grows in moist, fertile soil. The mycelium, according to some researchers, can grow in a circle. In place of the dead mycelium, a very dense, waterproof layer is supposedly formed, which prevents moisture and nutrients from reaching the surface. Over time, the vegetation inside the circle dries up and dies, and the one on the outside, on the contrary, thrives, since the mycelium, decomposing, becomes an excellent fertilizer.

This process can go on for many centuries. The mushroom ring grows and at the same time decreases, "travels" on the ground, frightening some people and delighting others.

Photos from open sources

But what scientists are unable to explain is the so-called. mythical circles in Africa. There, on the sandy soil of Namibia, for some unknown reason, rounded spots appear that look like a mycelium and disappear after several decades. However, scientists rule out that mushrooms can grow in such an arid area. Local legends explain these circles by the activity of the gods of nature and spirits.

Witch's hat - legends and truth

The witch's hat is her traditional attribute.It is difficult to find a person who would not have seen such a headdress. It becomes extremely popular on Halloween, which is celebrated by both ordinary people and magicians and sorcerers. Along with the cauldron and the magic broom, the pointed hat is mentioned in the mass media - cinematic and cartoon sorceresses and magicians use these attributes. So, even the heroines of the Charmed series used caps in one of the episodes, despite the fact that they are modern residents of the metropolis.

In the history of fashion, there are many types of hats that are similar in shape to the one preferred by witches. These are gennins, Phrygian caps and other delights of fashion from different times. The earliest example of a pointed hat was discovered by archaeologists in China. Black felt caps date from the fourth century BC. They were worn by the mummies of three women. These headdresses made the Subeshi necropolis famous, where they were found.

Historians do not know exactly when society began to consider pointed hats as part of the witch's outfit. Medieval images of witches, including the records of inquisitors, show witches naked, without any headdresses, jewelry or other components of the attire. Their only attributes attributed by medieval authors are a potion pot and a broomstick.

Beginning in the 17th century, witches began to appear in illustrations for children's fairy tales. Of course, the authors could not leave them in their original form - the representations of medieval artists were not compatible with the new rules of decency and morality. At this time, caps appeared for fairy and folklore sorceresses. Only from the 18th century they began to be depicted in pointed hats. Mr. Jensen is confident that this was a way to hint at belonging to the world of magic in illustration.

However, the question of the connection between caps and magic remains open to this day. According to legends, in medieval Europe, discovered witches were forced to wear such headdresses, which symbolized the spiers of churches. This symbolized the salvation of the lost soul of an accomplice of evil spirits. In Spain, witches were burned dressed in ridiculous robes and pointed hats. Another opinion is the similarity with the horns of the Devil.

Witches use a cap to make potions

In the 13th century, the Catholic Church obliged Jews to wear similar hats so that they could be distinguished from Christians. This made it easier to persecute the Jews. Witches were also persecuted by the church, perhaps this is the hidden meaning. Later, in such hats, they began to paint the Devil and heretics. As an insignia, the hat was used by Quakers, who were often considered sorcerers. But their hats weren't spiky.

Before the onset of our era, high headdresses had a sacred meaning. So the priests stood out from the crowd, in such hats they portrayed the gods. In European ancient burials, such caps were found that were gilded. Some symbols were found on them, which could be an ancient ritual calendar.

After the end of the Middle Ages, the pointed cap remained a symbol of punishment. Chinese revolutionaries wore such headdresses on enemies of the people. In America and England, they were used to punish children in schools. In our time, the conical hat has remained only a part of a fancy dress. Witches do not use it to complement the ritual attire. However, the sacred meaning of the hat was repeatedly described by them - it makes the wearer related to those convicted of witchcraft in the Middle Ages, symbolizes the concentration of reason and high intelligence.

Origin

The mycelium of the fungus growing in the ground absorbs nutrients by secreting enzymes from the tips of the hyphae (the filaments that make up the mycelium). It breaks down large molecules in the soil into smaller molecules, which are then absorbed through the hyphae walls near their growing tips. The mycelium will move outward from the center, and when the nutrients in the center are depleted, the center dies, thus forming the living ring from which the witch's circle arises.

There are two theories regarding the process involved in creating witch circles. Everyone claims that the witch circle was started by an argument with sporocarpus. The underground presence of the fungus can also cause wilting or discoloration or growth of the grass above. The second theory, which is presented in the investigations of Japanese scientists on the species Tricholoma matsutakeshows that the witch's circles could have been established by joining the border with the oval genets of these fungi. If they make an arc or ring, they grow continuously about the center of that object.

Don't go into the ring

It is generally believed that fairy circles should be avoided as dangerous places as they are associated with evil creatures. If you dare to enter it, many myths warn that you will die young. You also become invisible to the mortal world, you cannot escape from the ring or are instantly transported to a fairy realm. You can also lose your eye because of your stupidity. In any case, you will be forced to dance in a circle until you die of fatigue or madness.

To avoid this terrible fate, you can take special measures, for example, run around the ring nine times (only nine times, since 10 is too much and will cancel the procedure). It is said that to enter the circle without consequences, you can run around the ring on a full moon, but only in the direction the sun moves during the day. If you do this, you will hear the fairies dancing underground.

You can also wear the hat backwards because this is said to be confusing to fairies and they won't harm you.