Schrat (Schratt) is a nature spirit, goblin, elf or even a domestic entity in Germanic lore. Waldschrat or Wood Schrat lives in the forest. Nightmare Schrat, like the Mare, weighs upon a sleeper's chest and brings terrifying dreams.
Schrat is one of several nightmare-bringers in German mythology. It can get into a person's bedroom through a crack or keyhole. Schrat enjoys tormenting sleepers as it slips into their minds to twist and tangle dreams to relentless nightmares.
The Mare sits on the chest of the sleeper, triggering a nightmare (Alptraum, pl. Albträume - Elf Dreams), waking dreams and panic attacks. The demonic Drude also brings nightmares and causes sleep disturbances such as insomnia and illness.
The Elves are a complex group of creatures who can be helpful, neutral or nasty. In the past, Elves are blamed for inflicting disease and tragedy. During the witch hunts, suspected witches are accused of sending out evil elves to do their bidding.
In older regions the Drudenfuss or pentagram may be found carved into doorways and window frames against evil Elf magic. It's also called Schrattlesfuß, Schrat's foot.
Appearance and function of the Schrat is variable with region. The forest Schrat or Waldschrat inhabits deep dark places. It doesn't enjoy human interaction and lives as a hermit among the trees.
This type of Schrat keeps its entrance very tidy, which can give away its dwelling place someone happen to take a closer look. It hides the true path when someone steps on an Irrwurz, causing the person to get lost.
If the forest is logged, Schrat will leave, but not in a friendly way. Axes break and trees fall in the wrong direction. Today's Waldschrat causes accidents and glitches in machinery.
The nightmare-bringing Schrat lives up to its alternate name Schratte, or Scratch, a name for the Devil of Christianity. The name Scratch is passed down from the Middle English scrat, the name of a demon or goblin, derived from Old Norse skratte.
Nightmare Schrat is sometimes thought to be a real person. The Schrat is recognizable by its eyebrows, which seem to form a single knit brow. Safeguards against Schrat attack include rowan branches or wood, the pentagram and copper bells.
The term Schrat has too many diminutives to list. They include Schrätlein, Schrättlein, Schrättele, Schrätele, Schrätel, Schrattl, Schrattel, Schratel, Schrättlig, Schrättling and Schrattele, most meaning "little goblin" or "little devil".
Name diminutives and diminishment of physical size are typically ways to banish fear of wild nature entities, as in the suffix term "männchen", or little man, for Elf. Fear of elves and evil elf magic wanes when the perps are small, shallow, greedy and less intelligent than humans.
Schrat might try to move in as a domestic spirit although its nature is not conducive to domestic harmony. Like the Mare, Schrat tangles manes, tails and forelocks of horses. It can suck dry the udders of cows.
Schrat is, rarely, a woman. She's said to have a hereditary condition inherited from her mother. Only by killing the best horse in the stable, a reference to the past practice of blood sacrifice, will Schrat be free of the curse, and the homeowner free of Schrat.
True to its Elfin mythology Schrat is a bringer of illness. It can let fly arrows of poison which strike from afar. In some cases it wants a pacification offering of millet gruel or other nourishment. It might also dwell in a cavern above a town and protect the region in return for gifts of food.
Schrat can shape-shift into animals including butterfly (especially monarch), caterpillar, magpie, fox and cat. Red streaks on trees caused by pupal discharge of butterflies are said to be the blood of a Schratlein being chased by the Devil.
Methods of Schrat repulsion in the home, barns and outbuildings include the pentagram or five-point star; a gift of clothes; or a mirror, so the Schrat will be frightened by its own reflection, a technique also used for Mare attacks.
Mirrors also have the ability to act as portals, both ways. If Schrat goes into a mirror it's caught. The erstwhile victim must cover the mirror immediately to trap Schrat. It can be made to do a favor or good deed in return for its release. After that it won't come back.
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