CHAPTER 201: RUSALKA

ORIGIN: Slavic folklore

The Rusalka is the spirit of a drowned woman who haunts lakes, rivers, and forests. 

She is commonly believed to be the vengeful ghost of a woman who died by betrayal of her friends or lover, was murdered or committed suicide.

Many legends say that Rusalki (plural) are the spirits of women who drowned due to unfaithful lovers or were forced into unwanted marriages.

With her long, flowing hair and a pale, unearth like beauty, the Rusalka appears innocent and alluring… 

But she is deadly. 

She lures unsuspecting men to the water with her hypnotic singing or wonderfully enchanting dance, only to drag them beneath the surface of the water and drown them.

Rusalki can take on very scary appearances, with green or glowing eyes, webbed fingers, and waterlogged skin.

In some tales though, the Rusalka is not entirely evil. 

During Rusalka Week, a time in early summer, they are believed to come out from the water to dance in moonlit meadows.

If they are ppeased with great offerings, they will bring the person fertility and good fortune. 

But angering them can result in death or misfortune.