One of the most powerful eastern European goddesses was called Samovila, Vila,
or Judy according to the language of the people, who pictured this woodland force as a fairskinned winged woman with glistening
garments and golden hair falling to her feet. She lived deep in the woods, where she guarded animals and plants as well as
cleaned streams of rubble and assured sufficient rainfall.
Hunters were wary of beautiful, welldressed women speaking the languages of animals,
for the Vila was fiercely possessive of her wild herds. Should one be injured or-worse yet-killed, the Vila mutilated the
offender or lured him into a magic circle and danced him to death. Alternatively, the Vila might bury him in rocks by starting
an avalanche, or simply cause him to keel over with a heart attack.
The Vila was able to masquerade as a snake, swan, falcon, horse, or whirlwind.
Cloud Vilas could transform themselvs into clouds or fog. Born on a day of soft misty rain, when the sun formed miniature
rainbows on the trees, she knew all the secrets of healing and herb craft. Should a human wish to learn her skills, blood-sisterhood
was forged with the Vila. The applicant appeared in the woods before sunrise on a Sunday of the full moon. Drawing a circle
with a birch twig or a broom, she placed several horsehairs, a hoof, and some manure inside the circle, then stood with her
right foot on the hoof calling to the Vila. Should the spirit appear and be greeted as a sister, the Vila would grant any
wish.
