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'''Lauma''', in Baltic mythology, is a woodland fae, and guardian spirit of orphans. Originally a sky spirit, her compassion for human suffering brought her to earth and to share our fate. | |||
She is assistant at birth, assuring the health and welfare of both mother and child. If the mother does not survive, or gives the child up, she takes on the role of spiritual foster mother for the child. She spins the cloth of life for the child, but weeps at the fate of some. The fact that the cloth can, to a degree, weave itself, indicates a higher power than Lauma. | |||
Over the years, her image has gradually degraded. Accused of baby-snatching by disrespectful husbands (since she is unable to bear children of her own), her looks and sweetness were lost, turning her into an evil old [[hag]]. She weeps at her destined fate, hoping for the day when she will return to her former beautiful self. | |||
[[Category:Baltic mythology]] | |||
[[Category:Nymphs]] | |||
Latest revision as of 18:03, 18 April 2007
Lauma, in Baltic mythology, is a woodland fae, and guardian spirit of orphans. Originally a sky spirit, her compassion for human suffering brought her to earth and to share our fate.
She is assistant at birth, assuring the health and welfare of both mother and child. If the mother does not survive, or gives the child up, she takes on the role of spiritual foster mother for the child. She spins the cloth of life for the child, but weeps at the fate of some. The fact that the cloth can, to a degree, weave itself, indicates a higher power than Lauma.
Over the years, her image has gradually degraded. Accused of baby-snatching by disrespectful husbands (since she is unable to bear children of her own), her looks and sweetness were lost, turning her into an evil old hag. She weeps at her destined fate, hoping for the day when she will return to her former beautiful self.