Episode 8: Small, Everyday Fae: Domovoi

The folklore of domovoi in a nutshell and how I reimagined them for my writing.

Written and narrated by Ronel Janse van Vuuren.

Copyright 2021 Ronel Janse van Vuuren — All rights reserved.

Learn more about domovoi here.

Get the transcript here.

Music: Secrets by David Fesliyan (FesliyanStudios.com) and Dramatic Heartbeat by FesliyanStudios.com

Transcript

You’re listening to the Faeries and Folklore podcast by Ronel.

I’m dark fantasy author Ronel Janse van Vuuren. With nearly a decade of digging around in dusty folklore books, researching creatures of imagination that ignited my curiosity, I’m here to share the folklore in a nutshell and how I reimagined it for my writing in an origin of the fae.

This is the Faeries and Folklore podcast.

Hi, I’m your host Ronel Janse van Vuuren. You can just call me Ronel. In today’s episode, we’re continuing our exploration of the fae realm.

We’re continuing our exploration of small every day fae.

Today’s faery: Domovoi

Folklore in a Nutshell by Ronel

As with other house spirits, the Domovoi are a moody lot. Any ill-treatment on the part of the inhabitants of the house will result in the Domovoi bringing bad luck on all who live there. Though, treat them well, and they will make sure your house is blessed.

The Domovoi are connected to the threshold and the hearth: once upon a time the two things were at the same place when people lived in caves, and the Domovoi has never lost its roots.

As with most house spirits, the Domovoi is rarely seen. But those who have, said that the Domovoi are covered with soft hair all over. Domovoi are heard, though, with their rasping voices and dismal moans haunting the house.

Domovoi, like most fae, like offerings of bread and milk.

They are protectors of the home, and they are also oracles. Extinguishing flames, becoming visible, a cold touch – these are all portents of misfortune. A soft and gentle touch by its invisible hand, though, is a sign of coming happiness.

Bottom line: make sure your Domovoi stays invisible, well-fed and happy or it will burn down your house.

And now for my interpretation of the fae in an origin of the fae: Domovoi

The Domovoi are invisible servants. They do not clean or cook, but they do take care of the animals of whatever dwelling they’ve claimed as their home. They even live with humans. Most importantly, they protect the home from invaders – whether supernatural or human.

They act as a sort of oracle: if the Domovoi become visible, it foretells of catastrophe approaching. If they extinguish candles (lights) trouble is imminent.

If one sees the Domovoi, they have little horns, tails, and long, grey beards. They are waif-thin and wear grey suits (they act much like butlers; the suits matching the era they live in).

Domovoi are patient, with high tolerance for neglect.

They only consume bread and milk.

If they are not regularly fed and given the proper respect on occasion, they turn feral and attack: the inhabitants of the dwelling they protect, usually by pinching or worse; the animals on the property, mostly by scaring them and chasing them off; and even the land itself, making plants wither and die. You can tell that they’ve turned feral before they attack: they have nasty sneers and their eyes are red. The longer the problem is left untreated (feeding them and telling them how awesome they are), the more malicious they become until they need to be removed by other Fae.

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this episode of the faeries and folklore podcast and that you’ve learned something new about faeries.

Remember that you can get a transcript of this episode in the description. If you’re new to the podcast, why not go and grab your free copy of Unseen, the second book in the Faery Tales series, on my website ronelthemythmaker.com? Loads of folklore, magic and danger await! Take care!

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