Winter Creatures

For our ancestors, winter was not only the coldest time of the year but also the most mysterious and dangerous. It was during these months that the underground creatures revealed themselves among humans.

Have you ever heard of Baba Yaga, Morozko, or Jola Kotturin? These mythical beings, deeply rooted in forests and mountains, emerge during winter to attend to those who haven't behaved properly throughout the year.

Even just a little over a hundred years ago, Nordic folklore coexisted with Christianity. People went to church and heard the priest's words of forgiveness and love for one's neighbor. However, simultaneously, many believed that nature was populated by supernatural beings.

They believed that everything in nature was animated and that it would retaliate against us if we mistreated it. Nature can both help and destroy us.

We are all familiar with the stories of Santa Claus and his gifts to the well-behaved children. But what happens to the naughty ones? The answer is that a whole army of winter creatures is ready to attend to those who haven't behaved properly.

These beings, some older than history itself, are frightening and dangerous. Yet, at the same time, they represent our closest connection to our distant ancestors and nature.

It is the ancient fear that still haunts us in the darkest time of winter.