White Ladies and Changelings exist in the pagan traditions of Germany and other parts of Europe. German folklore and mythology is rich with creatures of magic and mysticism, some helpful, some evil and some just trying to survive in an uncertain world.
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1. White Ladies
White Ladies or Women in White often appear in the folk tales of Germany, England and other European countries. They exist before and after Christianity, later assuming religious characteristics. A White Lady most often appears alone.
At night she carries a lantern and may call or wail. She can be a sign of luck or warning of doom. She might appeal for help, and reward the hero with wealth. She may bring blessings or advice for a journey or venture. Conversely the White Lady can warn of mortal danger, or foretell the death of one who beholds her.
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In Germany, the White Lady is often equated with ancient Germanic goddess Frau Holle, who also embodies a warrior aspect. White Ladies play key roles in the Lora Ley Fantasy Fiction series novel Poltergeist.
The White Lady can be a specter haunting the place of her entombment. Her appearance as a ghost is generally post-Christian. Germanic pagans didn't believe in an afterlife, but did believe in a spirit world strongly based in the natural world where White Ladies are equated with nature spirits. Those creatures who rise again are the tormented spirits of the Undead. As belief in an afterlife spreads, more ghosts appear in legend and myth.
2. Changelings
Changelings are creatures of Faerie or non-mortal origin who are switched with mortal children, and sometimes adults. Denizens of the spirit world such as elves, fairies and trolls take a child, usually a baby, and leave their own offspring in the cradle.
The child may be very beautiful but is often ugly, with misshapen head, body or features. Another name for a changeling is oaf, a word still in use today. A changeling might also seem wise beyond its earthly years. In some cases, a changeling is raised by the adopted family and will always be grateful and considerate.
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Often, the parent(s) attempt to drive out the changeling and force the return their child. This resulted in severe whipping of children and even burning them to death in hot ovens. It was thought when the changeling had enough torment, it would recall the original child.
Sadly this belief led to abusive and tragic circumstances. Adults were not immune, as in the case of the Bavarian man who beat his wife to death because, he claimed, she was a changeling and he wanted his real wife back.
In folklore the Faerie are known to steal human children, with or without leaving a substitute. Trolls might kidnap humans as slaves or to improve troll stock. Sometimes a human child is raised in the mystical realm and lives in harmony with the erstwhile captors, perhaps never knowing its changeling origin.
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