Folk beliefs about eggshells and the fear of water among evil spirits

There is a superstition that eggshells must never be kept, because witches can use them to sail out to sea. The shells must be burnt. Bear this in mind the next time you make scrambled eggs.

There is, in fact, another widespread belief connecting unclean spirits with water. Evil entities that dwell in houses are, as a rule, afraid of water. And to be rid of some of them, the following recipe is offered: begin packing your things as though you were moving house, take a bag and leave. The malicious creatures will certainly set off after you, in order to plague you in your new abode as well. So you must walk to a river and cross it, and the unclean spirits, being afraid of deep water, will remain on the far bank, having lost sight of you, and, having no memory to speak of, will not be able to find their way back to your house.

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Folk beliefs about eggshells and the fear of water among evil spirits

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September digest: archaeological finds, exhibitions, museums, theatre and the Church

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