Druden (sing. Drude) are creatures of darkness, part of the complex cosmology of German myth and folklore. The Drude is a demon greatly feared. Druden take part in the Wild Hunt, along with elves, satyrs, Gods and eight-legged horses.
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The Drude lives in the realm of demons and can access the world of mortals to make lives miserable in any of several ways. Demonic portals include mirrors and natural rock formations, fountains and magic circles. Druden can appear in various forms.
The Coleridge poem Christabel uses the premise of evil unable to cross a threshold. When the 'witch' Geraldine falls down at the door, Christabel carries her inside, sealing her own fate. An iron knife buried under a threshold is also thought to keep bad magic from entering.
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Geraldine's a good example of a manipulative power-hungry Drude as she seduces the father of Christabel and turns him against his daughter. Besides spreading plague and devastation, the Druden destroy harmony by seeding lies and doubts.
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In nightmare-bringing aspect, the Drude relates to the Mare. The Mare belongs to the Elfin category of malevolent creatures. Elves (German: Alpen, Elben, Elfen sing. Alp, Elf) are thought to cause disease of people, animals and crops.
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During the European witch-hunts (c 1400 - 1670 CE), elves are said to act on instruction of a witch, who is in league with the Christian Devil. The founder of Lutheranism, Martin Luther (1483 - 1546 CE), believed his mother to be afflicted by witches and Elf magic.
The connection between elves and witches grows from superstitions surrounding the demonic Druden, who are linked with evil elfin cunning and magic. 'Drude' becomes synonymous with 'witch' in 1500s Europe.
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A Drude may keep company with creatures such as Poltergeist and Roggenwolf. The Rye Wolf is among the most vicious of the Germanic corn spirits or harvest demons. This demon may hunt alone but is also likely to form partnerships with others of its kind.
READ: Lora Ley Adventures - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series
Protection against Druden and related occult entities includes the Drudenfuss (Drudenfuß) or Drude's foot. It's also called Alpfuss or Elf's foot. A pentagram symbol, it's still used in modern times as protection from evil.
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The symbol is found today inscribed in ancient doorways or entrances in the Old World. It prevents Druden and Elfin magic from entering. The practice comes to America with immigration.
Drudenfuss is also a name for mistletoe, a poisonous plant. In Germania, evil roams the darkness of cold winter nights. In lore mistletoe repels creatures such as Druden. Evergreen with white or red berries, it's cheerful in a home and guards against hostile magic.
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Druden may cause dissent by casting aggressive auras or elements of chaos into a home. They hate happy families or peaceful environments, and try to destroy them. Druden are the wicked witches of fairy tales, the prototypical villain or personification of evil.
Like shadows these demons enter houses, rooms and dreams. They trigger nightmares, insomnia and illness or anxiety especially related to sleep deprivation. In folklore demon magic can be repulsed by iron, herbs, incantations and inscriptions.
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Iniquitous magic of Druden can make a person waste away, never knowing what's wrong, and die. If the Drude can be hexed or driven away, the sick person has a chance of survival. Shadow creatures lurking just out of sight, Druden rarely appear in physical form.
They can if they want to, for instance to steal something belonging to their target. A personal item or lock of hair can be used in curses and other hostile magic against the victim. In physical state they're vulnerable.
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As demonic entities Druden may be called up by a sorcerer to exact revenge on a person or an entire village. In ancient times it's common for benevolent gods to call up disease demons to punish disrespectful mortals.
Druden can attack for a number of reasons. Rarely do they act out of the fun sport of doing evil. They adhere to the laws of nature and carry out their own demonic work, which happens to be destruction, sickness and death.
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There are other motives for harassment, including a common one of inadvertently blocking, or opening, a portal of the demon. This often happens when building or renovating. Druden can travel through multiple dimensions and hate having their freedom curtailed.
Like the Mare, the Drude rides horses at night. In tradition, braiding a red ribbon in the mane of the horse keeps away the Mare.
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The Drude is repelled by a Drudenstein, or Drude stone, a pebble with a natural hole. They're also called hag stones.
In the stable the Drudenstein protects the horses and other animals. Hung in the bedroom or nursery it keeps nightmares away. Carving a Drudenfuss into a beam or wall helps protect buildings and the humans and other animals who inhabit them.
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As demons the Druden are skilled in the art of possession. They can use mortal energy to do their deeds. Possession can be temporary or chronic. Signs of demonic possession may include anger or emotional outbursts by the possessed person.
Other signs may be change to routines, or likes and dislikes; amnesia; sudden change in libido. Ancient Egyptians and Mesopotamians believe evil spirits can enter the body through orifices and / or through hair. In some lore demons can possess a person through sex.
Seduction is one tactic of the Drude. In dreams the demon may appear as an incubus or succubus figure, a creature reflecting hidden desires or fears of the victim.
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