recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Lieu Hanh

**Also Known As:** Thanh Mau (Holy Mother)

**Origin:** Vietnam

One of the Jade Emperor’s beautiful Fairy princess daughters broke a precious jade bowl in Heaven and as punishment was temporarily exiled to Earth. She assumed the identity of a Vietnamese girl named Lieu Hanh in Tien Huong Village, Nam Dinh Province. Depending on the version of the myth, she may or may not have been born a human princess. She married and was happy but died three years later (but really returned to Heaven as a Jade Fairy Princess).

The story could end there except that the princess’ stay on Earth among people had moved her profoundly. She had developed tremendous affection for people and perceived that they needed her help. Lieu Hanh consciously chose to return to Earth to help the needy and provide protection from danger and evil. Over the centuries she has appeared in many forms.

Lieu Hanh is famous for her mastery of poetry and painting. She plays the flute. Lieu Hanh is mistress of creative and cultural arts and able to transmit talent and inspiration to others. She is identified with traditional chao van music, now used to invoke her protection and help. Lieu Hanh communicates via spirit mediums.

**Number:** 3

**Feast:** Festival from the first to the tenth day of the third lunar month; the third day of the festival commemorates the anniversary of Lieu Hanh’s death.

**Sacred site:** Lieu Hanh has three primary Vietnamese shrines:

* Tay Ho Temple near the West Lake in Hanoi
* Van Cat-Tien Huong Pagoda in Dam Dinh Province, where Lieu Hanh was born
* Song Temple in Thanh Hoa Province, site of another incarnation

Lieu Hanh is venerated alongside the Jade Emperor and Kwan Yin (Vietnamese: Quan Am). She may be worshipped in Taoist or Buddhist context.

**See Also:** Jade Emperor; Kwan Yin

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Ketta

**Origin:** Norse

Ketta are cat spirits. Ketta literally means shecat or female cat but the word is also used to identify certain fierce female spirits. The most famous Ketta is the being that Grendel, the monster in Beowulf, calls Mom. Some perceive a resemblance between Grendel’s Mother and Black Annis (Cat Annis)

**Manifestation:** As a large cat, a woman or something in between. The defining characteristic seems to be extremely long sharp cat’s claws (even if the rest of the body appears human).

**See Also:** Black Annis; Neko Mata

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Lir

**Origin:** Celtic; Irish

Lir literally means “the sea.” He is an ancient sea spirit, now most famous because of the many other spirits who are identified as his children as for example Manannan mac Lir. Undoubtedly many myths are lost: that so many powerful spirits are identified as his children signifies his own importance. One surviving myth describes Lir’s displeasure at not being chosen King of the Tuatha Dé Danaan.

**Sacred site:** Lir has dominion over the sea; he lives alone beneath a big hill in County Armagh.

**See Also:** Llyr; Manannan Mac Lir; Tuatha Dé Danaan

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Jezibaba

Jezibaba literally means “Granny Witch.” This witch goddess seems to be Baba Yaga’s Czech sister. Like Baba Yaga, Jezibaba lives in a little hut in the forest but hers is on the shores of a lake and may be constructed of regular building materials not human bones. Her personality is somewhat milder than Baba Yaga’s too: she’s not quite as scary. Although she can be fierce, Jezibaba is generally a helpful witch, if you address her kindly and respectfully.

Devotees request her assistance with love and fertility. Jezibaba is an herbal expert.

She may be petitioned to oversee magical and/or herbal studies. Request her blessing over love potions to increase their effectiveness and ask for her help finding the best possible herbs for healing purposes. Jezibaba may be an incarnation of the ancient Semitic deity, Jahi, female ruler of menstrual power, now demoted to a cottage in the woods. Jezibaba’s children are the Jezinky, sometimes hostile cave-dwelling spirits. Some scholars think the Jezinky are really Djinn. Jezibaba stars in Antonin Dvorak’s 1901 opera Rusalka.

**Realm:** Forest

**Element:** Water

**See Also:** Baba Yaga; Djinn; Jahi; Rusalka

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Lado

**Origin:** Slavic

Lado is the sacred partner and consort of Lada, Goddess of Spring. He is her male counterpart and is invoked for romantic happiness and domestic bliss. Lado may be interpreted as “spouse”; it may be a title or epithet rather than a name. He is the essence of springtime; the urge to find a partner and make merry. Lado may or may not be the male spirit venerated under the guise of John the Baptist during the Russian Midsummer’s Eve feast known as Ivan Kupalo.

**See Also:** Lada

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Koumyoumin

Lord of the Nine Towns

**Origin:** Shan

**Classification:** Nat

Koumyoumin is a regional Nat whose territory encompasses a large part of the area around Kyankse, Burma. Because the number nine is sacred to him, it is tabooed and off-limits to people. Koumyoumin dislikes and will potentially harm anything that consists of nine units. For example, when driving through his domain, a vehicle cannot contain nine people as it is feared that Koumyoumin will cause an accident. There must be either more or less but never nine. If the number absolutely cannot be avoided, then subterfuge must be used to avoid Koumyomin’s wrath. For instance, a large stone will be placed in the vehicle to symbolically represent a tenth passenger.

**See Also:** Nat

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Kola Sanni Yakka

**Also Known As:** Kola Sanniya

**Origin:** Sri Lanka

Kola Sanni Yakka is the chief of the eighteen disease-causing Sanni Yakka spirits. He contains and controls them. As he theoretically can heal or remove any illness, a quick fix remedy involves addressing him by name three times and specifying the affliction you would like him to cure. If it works, lay out an offering table for him. If it doesn’t, you owe nothing. Find another remedy.

**See Also:** Sanni Yakka

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Huldra

Huldra is a seductive forest spirit from Norse mythology that has been known to offer rewards to those who satisfy them sexually and death to those who fail to do so. It is said the huldra are a type of troll, but much smaller.

These longhaired blonde beauties lure men into the woods by their lovely singing and appearance to do their bidding or simply as mates or pets. If betrayed, the huldra are known to punish their victims severely.

She is prone to stealing human babies and replaces them with her own child (a huldrebarn).

If she decides to marry a human man, the huldra can no longer keep her identity secret because during the marriage ceremony when a priest blesses her, the glamour leaves her revealing who she really is. Some sources say she looses her tail if she enters a church or is blessed, but her nature remains and if the man mistreates her, she will turn incredibly ugly and the man will suffer.

From the front, the huldra is a beautiful young woman but also has a cow’s tale and whose back appears to be like a hollowed out tree. Most men would most likely run away once they caught sight of the tail. In Sweden, the huldra is said to have the tail of a fox.
Horned God

Horned God In contemporary Paganism and Witchcraft, the consort of the Goddess and representative of the male principle of the Supreme Deity. The Horned God is the lord of the woodlands, the hunt and animals. He also is the lord of life, death and the underworld. He is the sun to the Goddess’ Moon. The Horned God alternates with the Goddess in ruling over the fertility cycle of birth-death-rebirth. He is born at the winter solstice, unites with the Goddess in marriage at Beltane (May 1) and dies at the summer solstice. His death is a sacrifice to life.

The origin of the Horned God may date to Paleolithic times, as evidenced by a ritualistic cave painting discovered in the Caverne des Trois Freres at Ariège, France. One of the figures is either a stag standing upright on hind legs or a man dressed in stag costume in a dance. The wearing of animal clothes in rituals to secure game was practised in Europe for thousands of years.

Among the deities and beings associated with the Horned God are Cernunnos, the Celtic god of fertility, animals and the underworld; Herne the Hunter, a specter of Britain; Pan, the Greek god of the woodlands; Janus, the Roman god of good beginnings, whose two-faced visage represents youth and age, life and death; Tammuz and Damuzi, the son-lover-consorts to Ishtar and Inanna; Osiris, Egyptian lord of the underworld; Dionysus, Greek god of vegetation and the vine, whose cult observed rites of dismemberment and resurrection; and the Green Man, the lord of vegetation and the woodlands.

The horns of the Horned God are associated with his domain of the woodlands, and with the bull and the ram, animal consorts of the Goddess. The horns also symbolize the crescent moon, which is the symbol of the Goddess and represents increase in all things and waxing fertility. In art, the Horned God may be portrayed as half man and half animal, as were Cernunnos and Pan. There is no association between the Horned God and the Devil, except in the Christian demonization of pagan deities. Most traditions in contemporary Witchcraft emphasize the Goddess, though the Horned God is considered important in his role in male-female polarity. He is worshipped in rites, in which he is personified by the high priest, who sometimes wears an antlered headdress or a horned helmet. The Horned God represents sexuality, vitality, the hunt, logic and power, but not in an exploitative fashion. He is considered gentle, tender and compassionate yet is not effeminate
Ling Chui Na

**Origin:** China

Ling Chui Na is a midwife spirit venerated by women who have had children or would like to have children. She is the guardian of children, especially those under sixteen years of age. Ling Chui Na was allegedly once a living person born near Fuzhou during the Tang Dynasty (618–907). She is invoked for any aspect of conception, pregnancy and childbirth as well as for caring and guarding children. Ling Chui Na supervises a large staff of female birth spirits. A host of 36 spirits is at her right side; a further seventy-two spirits await her instructions hovering at her left. Her devotees traditionally abstain from eating duck.

**Attributes:** A horn to summon her host of heavenly helpers and a magic sword to drive away enemies and evil influences

**Sacred day:** Ling Chui Na’s birthday is the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar.

**Offerings:** Set a table of food for her; offer her any kind of cooked meal with the exception of duck. (A water Demon once tried to drown Ling Chui Na but four ducks bravely and spontaneously came to her rescue. Ling Chui Na vowed never to eat duck again.) Burn candles, incense and spirit money.

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
John Aurelio Augurello

John Aurelio Augurello, (1441–1524) Italian alchemist who tried to impress Pope Leo X with his knowledge of Alchemy.

John Aurelio Augurello was born in Rimini, Italy, in 1441. He distinguished himself as a professor of belles lettres in Venice and Trevisa. Fascinated by alchemy, Auguerello prayed earnestly to God to be given the secret of the philosopher’s stone. He spent all of his money on alchemical equipment and supplies but failed in his efforts. When he had no more money with which to continue his work, he conceived of an idea to extract a grant of funds from Pope Leo X. He composed a mediocre poem, “Chryospeia,” in which he pretended to know the secret of transmutation, and dedicated it to the pope. Leo, being an astute judge of poetry, was most unimpressed by the poem, and he also disapproved of alchemy in general. When Augurello petitioned him for money, Leo—with great ceremony—presented him with an empty purse.

Augurello never achieved his dream and died in extreme poverty at age 83 in 1524.

## Information Source

The Encyclopedia of Magic and Alchemy Written byRosemary Ellen Guiley
Mai Gizo

Owner of the Matted Hair

**Also Known As:** Yero

**Classification:** Bori

Mai Gizo, son of Sarkin Fulani, renounced Islam and was banished from his father’s home. Adopted by Pagan Bori spirits, he is now considered one of them. He is volatile and unpredictable, considered among the most potentially dangerous of Bori, but that may reflect tensions between Islam and the traditional Hausa religion to which Mai Gizo reverted.

Mai Gizo is blamed when humans renounce Islam: that renunciation is considered one of his afflictions. Others include chronic headaches plus mental illnesses tenuously related to the compulsive rambling caused by his father, but intensified. Mai Gizo’s victims stop paying attention to cleanliness, hygiene, and personal appearance, not just a little but to the extreme. Their teeth rot. They stink. Others avoid them. They wind up wandering aimlessly all by themselves. A difficult spirit to propitiate and appease, Mai Gizo’s illnesses are difficult to remove, even for the trained shamanic healer.

**Attribute:** Hatchet

**Colour:** Black

**Offerings:** Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products

**See Also:** Bori; Malam Alhaji; Sarkin Fulani

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Lwa

The lwa are the spirits of Vodou. The word lwa is both singular and plural. It’s an African word. Lwa is the modern Haitian Kreyol spelling. The French spelling is loa.

However, many names are used to indicate these very same spirits. You will also find them called:

* Les Mystères (the mysteries)
* Les Invisibles (the invisible ones)
* Les Anges (the angels)
* Zanj (Kreyol version of the French Anges)
* Les Racines (literally roots; technically all ancestral spirits are lwa, too)
* Les Saintes (the saints: because virtually every Vodou lwa is syncretized to a Roman Catholic saint)

Lwa may be angels or saints but they are not gods. Vodou is a monotheistic faith: there is only one God, Bondye (from the French Bon Dieu, the Good God). Bondye created the world and is the source of ultimate appeal but is remote, distant and busy. Along with the rest of the universe, Bondye created the concept of delegating and that’s where the lwa come in. The lwa serve Bondye but are each in charge of some aspect of existence. As with angels, anything you can think of has a presiding lwa.

The Vodou pantheon is large: there are over one-thousand lwa and more constantly appear. Some lwa were created as spirits but others were once human. Any powerful, charismatic person may become a lwa after death. Some lwa, known as root lwa, are particularly ancient. Archaeological evidence indicates that Vodou-like religious practices have existed in West Africa for at least four thousand years.

Lwa are generally divided into two pantheons, known as nations (nanchon in Kreyol): the Rada and the Petro. They dominate Vodou but there are other subdivisions too including the Bizango, Ibo, Congo and Nago Nations. The Barons and Gédés may also be considered their own subdivision. Although they belong to different nations, they are all lwa.

There is an infinite variety of lwa:

* Many like Ezili Freda traveled from Africa to the Caribbean with the slave trade
* Some may be indigenous Haitian spirits as some suspect Papal Zaka to be
* A few come from Europe, like Madame Brigitte or Madame Charlotte

Most lwa live in their special realm beneath the sea but others reside in caves, springs, stones, trees and waterfalls. They are ever present. The lwa communicate, heal and prophesy via ritual possession. Although lwa are specifically the spirits of Vodou, many are gregarious and eager to work with people and thus also engage in relationships with independent practitioners.

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Manjushri

Lord of Wisdom; The Gentle Voiced Lord; Glorious Gentle One; The Lamp of Wisdom

**Also Known As:** Manjusri; Monju (Japanese); Wen Shu (Chinese); Jam-dPal (Tibetan)

**Classification:** Bodhisattva; Bosatsu; Buddha; Yidam

Manjushri, the first Bodhisattva, is the essence and spirit of wisdom, embodying the wisdom of all Bodhisattvas. Guardian of sacred knowledge and spiritual seekers, his sword slices through illusions that cloud the minds of Buddhists as well as any other obstacles on the road to enlightenment. Manjushri, Lord of Awareness, served as initiator of the Buddhas of the past and will fulfill this role for Maitreya in the future.

Manjushri is a culture hero, too:

* The Manchu dynasty derived its name from Manjushri.
* Manjushri is considered the founding father of Nepalese culture.

**Favoured People:** Students, calligraphers, knowledge seekers, those born in the Year of the Rabbit

**Manifestation:** Manjushri travels in the guise of a simple mendicant (begging) monk.

**Attributes:** Lotus, bow and arrows, book, flaming sword

**Colour:** White

**Creature:** Dog

When Manjushri travels in the guise of a mendicant priest, he is always accompanied by a small dog like a Pekinese, Lhasa Apso, Shi Tzu, or similar breed. Manjushri is not really a simple monk. Likewise, his companion is not really a simple dog but actually a disguised celestial snow lion (also known as a lion-dog). When Manjushri’s presence is urgently needed, his pet assumes its true form and serves as his mount.

**Mount:** Kang-seng, the snow lion—a pre-Buddhist Tibetan spirit—serves as Manjushri’s mount and appears on the Tibetan flag.

**Direction:** East

**Time:** He is the guardian of the Year of the Rabbit.

**Date:** New Year’s Day is dedicated to Manjushri.

**Sacred site:** His home on Wutaishan (Five Terrace Mountain), one of China’s four sacred Buddhist peaks. Many visions and apparitions of Manjushri have been reported on the mountain since the Tang Dynasty.

**Mantra:** OM AH RAH PAH CHAH NA DHIH

(Chanting his mantra allegedly enhances wisdom, memory, and the ability to study, learn, teach, and articulate one’s thoughts. Manjushri is associated with various mantras, some reserved for initiated adepts.)

**See Also:** Avalokiteshvara; Bodhisattva; Bon spirits; Bosatsu; Buddha; Maitreya; Marichi; Yamantaka; Yidam; Mantra

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Kings of Hell

**Also Known As:** The Ten Kings; Ten Judges of Hell

**Origin:** Japan

## Information

The Ten Kings of Hell are afterlife judges. They derive from Chinese Taoist tradition, filtered through Japanese Buddhism:

* Those who’ve clearly lived exemplary lives travel to Paradise when they die
* Those who have been clearly wicked travel to a punishment realm

But what of those whose actions are more ambiguous? Those who may have performed both good and bad deeds while alive? Where do they go? That’s for the Kings of Hell to decide. The Kings of Hell preside over a series of afterlife trials intended to determine the fate of the dead soul. The person’s actions while alive, both positive and negative, are weighed, analyzed and discussed. Jizo serves as the defense attorney for dead souls and always attempts to present human actions in the best possible light. Final outcome however is up to the Kings of Hell. Although few look forward to meeting the Ten Kings in person, they are a popular subject of Japanese art.

**See Also:** Amida Buddha; Datsueba; Enma; Jizo; Ksitigarbha

## Order

### No.1 "Seventh Day Memorial " (Day 7) King Shinko

First, at the Office of Shinko, theysee if a deceased lies about their sins. After that the deceased cross the Sanzu River.

### No.2 "Second Week Memorial" (Day 14) King Shoko

The Offices of Shoko observe the Sanzu River and determine whether or not the deceased really put effort into their crossing.

### No. 3 "Third Week Memorial" (Day 21) King Sotai

Then at the offices of sotai, a thorough trial of the deceased's sexual misconduct.

### No. 4 "First Month Memorial" (Day 28) King Gokan

After that, the severuty of their crimes in life are judged at the Offices of Gokan

### No. 5 "Fifth Week Memorial" (Day 35) King Enma

A general trial is held at the Offices of Enma.

### No. 6 "Sixth Week Memorial" (Day 42) King Henjo

The deceased are reexamined at the Offices of Henjo.

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes

Hoozuki's Coolheadedness
Inna

*Mother*

**Also Known As:** Mai-Inna; Doguwa; Ha diza; Bafilatana

**Origin:** Hausa

**Classification:** Bori

According to some versions of Hausa myth, Inna is the mother of all Bori spirits. She is among the most powerful of the Bori, a protective deity who guards her devotees as if they were her children. She may be invoked to protect the property of those in her favour.

Inna is one of the two wives of Sarkin Aljan Suleimanu. (His other wife is her sister.) She is also involved in a not-so-secret adulterous love affair with Kuturu the Leper, her husband’s chief counselor. Inna’s brother is the Head of the Bori House of Fulani Spirits, and she is envisioned as a Fulani woman. Her own six sons were given to her husband’s younger brother, Sarkin Aljan Biddarene, to raise. In exchange, Biddarene gave Inna his six sons, including Dan Galadima.

Inna punishes thieves and those who persecute her devotees by causing stomachs to fatally swell. Her traditional affliction, however, is paralysis. Paralysis caused by Inna takes very specific forms:

* The victim is unable to stand.
* One hand and foot, usually the left, are twisted.
* One hip and one side of the lower back is rigid.
* The eyes bulge.
* The mouth is paralyzed so that it’s open on one side and can’t be closed (drooling is also characteristic).

The paralysis that Inna causes must be dealt with shamanically immediately as it progresses very quickly. Without quick shamanic intervention, it can be fatal. (Paralysis caused by Inna will resist conventional medical treatment and diagnosis.)

**Manifestation:** Inna appears in the guise of a tall, dark-skinned beautiful, regal woman.

**Iconography:** Inna may be represented by the image of the snake charmer more commonly associated with Mami Waters.

**Sacred trees:** Baobab, plus trees identified by the Hausa as those growing in Fulani cattle camps, including:

* African ebony (Diospyros mespiliformis)
* African mahogany (Khaya ivorensis)
* Shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii)

**Colour:** Black

**Home:** Inna lives in the city and the bush. She’s content in both urban and rustic settings.

**See Also:** Bori; Dan Galadima; Kuturu; Mami Waters; Sar kin Aljan Biddarene; Sarkin Aljan Suleimanu

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Lady of the Lake

**Origin:** Arthurian

The Lady of the Lake is the spirit who gave the magical sword Excalibur to Arthur and then reclaimed it after the Battle of Camlann. (The sword in the stone broke; Excalibur was the replacement.) She is his spiritual matron. Lady of the Lake is a title; her identity is unclear. Among the spirits described as being the Lady of the Lake are Argante, Morgan le Fay, Nimue and Vivian. Her association with swords evokes the Scottish spirit, Scatach.

Compounding the confusion is that in Celtic cosmology, as in so many others, every body of water has an in-dwelling, presiding spirit. There are also water spirits who are not tied to anyone location but may manifest in virtually any source of living water. Thus a very wide variety of now little-known, mysterious Celtic goddesses may fit the description of the Lady of the Lake. The title may also refer to her priestess; hence more than one may be addressed as Lady of the Lake, spirit and mortal.

King Arthur may or may not have died following the Battle of Camlann. Legends describe boats mysteriously appearing to ferry him to the Isle of Avalon, either to heal and recover or because it is an afterlife realm. The Lady of the Lake may or may not be among the gracious women who come to collect Arthur; however the island is described as belonging to her.

The Lady of the Lake is invoked for protection and by those who love precious, magical swords. She may be petitioned for entrance to Avalon. The Lady of the Lake is the guardian of esoteric secrets and may be invoked for wisdom and guidance.

**Manifestation:** The Lady of the Lake appears as a beautiful, mysterious, dignified woman.

**Iconography:** The Lady of the Lake inspires artists; many images are available. Alternatively, substitute a Queen of Swords playing card or the Ace of Swords tarot card, which depicts a disembodied hand, albeit a celestial one, proffering a sword.

**Realm:** The Lady of the Lake rules the Isle of Avalon but also manifests in lakes. When giving or reclaiming Excalibur, a mysterious hand emerges from the center of the lake and then withdraws within.

**See Also:** Argante; Morgan le Fay; Scatach

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Io

**Origin:** Greece

Io, a priestess of Hera in Argos and daughter of river deity, Inachus, also an acolyte of Hera’s, began hearing voices at night advising her to give herself to Zeus. Although this myth is usually given a romantic twist (cheating spouse, Zeus, is described as enamored of beautiful Io), it may actually be the tale of competing deities. Io told her father and he consulted an oracle, which advised him to turn her out of his house and let her roam freely over Earth.

Zeus transformed her into a pretty cow so that he could take her in the form of a bull. Hera, a cow goddess herself, suspected the transformation and placed Io under lock, key, and watchful eyes of her servant, Argos. (Make that one thousand watchful eyes. Argos never slept, closing only half his eyes at any one time.) Zeus sent Hermes to liberate Io. Hera, in turn, sent a gadfly to sting Io. This was no ordinary gadfly, which would have just left a temporary tender spot. Instead, the sting of this gadfly compelled her to run continuously and aimlessly. In The Land of Remorse, his study of Tarantism, author Ernesto De Martino compares Io’s post-sting behavior to those compelled to dance the tarantella ostensibly because of a spider’s bite.

During her compulsive rambling, Io encountered Prometheus, chained and suffering yet still able to comfort her. He prophesied that her journey would end by the Nile River, where Zeus would touch her hand and she would conceive her son, Epaphos, from that touch. Prometheus’ prophecy was accurate: Zeus transformed her back to human form. Io eventually married a king in Egypt. She bore children to Zeus and her husband and is considered the ancestress of heroes. Her descendents were among the nobility of Greece, Egypt, and Phoenicia and presumably roam the Earth still.

Io was also venerated as a lunar goddess, identified with Egyptian cow goddesses Hathor and Isis. The Greeks identified Epaphos with Egypt’s sacred Apis bull.

**Iconography:** Io is depicted as a cow or as a cow-horned woman.

**Planet:** Moon

**See Also:** Arachne; Europa; Hathor; Hera; Hermes; Isis; Prometheus; Zeus

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Idunn

*The Renewer; The Rejuvenator*

**Also Known As:** Iduna, Idun

**Origin:** Norse

Did you ever wish you could retain a youthful body and soul but simultaneously accrue the wisdom of age and experience? The Norse deities possess the ability to mature without aging because of Idunn’s golden apples. Idunn is the goddess of eternal youth, fertility, and abundance. She is the custodian of a grove of magical golden apples. A diet of these apples preserves ideal youthful appearance and vitality. Should the Norse spirits ever feel too ancient or creaky or if signs of age begin to creep up, Idunn provides them with apples, which eliminate all negative aspects of aging. Her role is also to guard the apples so that those who are not authorized to eat them never get a taste. (Dwarves and Frost Giants notoriously lust for her fruit.) Idunn’s home is the Grove of Brunnaker. Request her assistance to stay ever-youthful via petition and visualization.

**Manifestation:** A beautiful, ever-youthful, cheerful woman

**Attribute:** A wooden box in which she carries ripe apples so that she always has some on hand in case of an emergency; no matter how many apples Idun removes, the box magically always contains the same number of apples.

**Consort:** Bragi, Lord of Poetry

**See Also:** Angerboda; Bragi; Hesperides

## Appearance in Modern Media

From Shin Megami TenseiFrom Puzzle & DragonFrom Age of IshtariaFrom Dawn of GodsFrom Blood BrothersFrom Tower of SavioursFrom Unison LeagueFrom Destiny ChildFrom Aura KingdomFrom Kamihime ProjectChalmers representing Idunn
## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Kolowisi

**Origin:** Zuni

Kolowisi, the Great Horned Serpent, is a plumed water serpent. Kolowisi inhabits every drop of fresh water. Kolowisi is the guardian spirit of all sources of fresh water including springs, rivers, streams and rain; hence he is the guardian of the source of all life. Kolowisi lives in underground springs but sometimes emerges to swim in surface waters, especially ponds and lakes. (There are periodic reports of sightings.)

At his finest, he is a guardian spirit who brings abundance, fertility, prosperity and good health. If offended or not treated respectfully, Kolowisi causes floods, the destructive power of water. Kolowisi is also sometimes credited with saving people from floods; restraining flood waters until people can reach high ground.

Once upon a time, according to a Zuni myth, a young girl found a baby by a spring and brought it home, neglecting to mention it to her parents. She put the baby to bed beside her. Unbeknownst to her, that baby was really Kolowisi in disguise; at night, while she slept, he transformed back into his true form; picked the girl up in his coils as easily as she had picked up the baby and returned to his spring with her, keeping her as his wife.

Stone fetishes in the form of Kolowisi transmit the power and blessings of water. They may be used to spark and ease transformation. They are also ritually used to protect and bless sources of water and to bring rain. Kolowisi is considered among the most potent fetish animals.

**Manifestation:** Kolowisi is a huge horned, feathered water snake. He also manifests as lightning.

**See Also:** Ahuizotl; Kukulcan; Quetzalcoatl

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Hi'iaka

**Origin:** Polynesia

Hi’iaka is best known as volcano goddess Pelé's little sister but she is a powerful goddess in her own right. Hi’iaka is a brilliant magician capable of detecting and deflecting virtually all magical tricks, surprises, and dangers. She is a benevolent spirit who helps people, offering warnings in times of danger. Devotees seek her protection against all forms of harm. Hi’iaka is a healer and botanist with such profound knowledge of plants that she was allegedly able to use them to return the dead to life. She is invoked for miracle cures.

Hi’iaka, daughter of Haumea and Kane, was conceived in Polynesia. Pelé transported her to Hawaii, carrying Hi’iaka carefully in the form of an egg. Her full name is Hi'iaka-i-ka-poli-o-Pele, “Hi’iaka Cradled in Pelé's Bosom.” Hi’iaka was Pelé's favourite sister. (An alternative myth suggests that Hi’iaka is really Pelé's secret child.)

Pelé treated Hi’iaka as her most trusted servant, but eventually Hi’iaka asserted her independence. Hi’iaka is the presiding goddess of the Hawaiian Islands and among the spirits presiding over hula.

**Manifestation:** A beautiful, graceful dancer

**Colour:** Red

**Sacred plants:**‘Ohi’a lehua tree (Metrosideros macropus); pala’a or lace fern (Sphenomeria chinensis)

**See Also:** Haumea; Kanel; Kapo; Laka; Pelé

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Kachina

**Also Known As:** Katsina; Katchina

**Origin:** Pueblo Indian

The Kachinas are benevolent spirits of the Pueblo peoples of the southwestern United States. They are mediators, messengers from other realms: they bring rain, clouds, moisture and blessings in a dry habitat where survival is dependent on adequate precipitation. Kachinas ensure plant, animal and human fertility.

In English, Kachina is also commonly used to refer to dolls created in the image of Kachina spirits or the masked dancers who channel them. In Indian languages, distinct words may be used to distinguish the dolls from the spirits. Although crafted by human hands, from the traditional Native American perspective, these dolls are gifts from the spirits. Many modern Kachina dolls, however, are crafted specifically for the tourist trade and for collectors who value them for their intricacy, beauty and monetary worth as investment art. Kachinas are among the most commodified of spirits; their images used to market products with a southwestern theme including things like potato chips, soft drinks and snack foods much to the displeasure and despair of those for whom they are holy.

Archaeological evidence links Kachinas to all the Pueblo peoples including Hopis, Zunis and the various Rio Grande Pueblos although each may possess different pantheons of Kachinas. Kachina spirits live among people from approximately the winter solstice to late July when they return to their own realm. The Kachinas taught people how to make masks depicting them and transmitting their power and how to channel them through rituals including dance. Masked, ritually initiated men are able to transmit the blessings of the Kachinas to people; heal illness; reinforce order; deliver prophesies; bring rain and serve as shamanic bridges between people and the spirits.

There are hundreds of distinct Kachina spirits each with its own distinct identity, function and appearance. There is no single consistent number of Kachinas. This is a living tradition: new Kachinas appear and old ones fade from view, sometimes reappearing decades later.

**Manifestations:** Kachinas appear in an extremely wide variety of forms (including ducks). Many books variously oriented towards spiritual seekers, anthropology students and/or art collectors display their images.

**Rituals:** Kachina rituals occur privately within subterranean kivas at night, (especially from January to March) and also outdoors in Pueblo plazas during the daytime (especially from March to July). Some ceremonies are open to outsiders; others are not. Websites belonging to the various Pueblos will advise.

**See Also:** Koko

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Lolmischo

The Red Mouse

**Origin:** Romani (Gypsy)

Lolmischo is the seventh child of Ana, Queen of the Keshalyi. Ana was suffering from a severe skin ailment and her son Melalo advised that she’d be cured if she’d let mice lick her skin. This turned out to be true but in the process, one mouse penetrated her body causing Ana to conceive and give birth to Lolmischo, a male disease Demon. Lolmischo causes eczema by running up and down on sleeping people’s skin.

**Colour:** Red

**See Also:** Ana; Keshalyi; Melalo

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Lalita

**Origin:** India

Lalita is a dawn goddess from southern India. She is the epitome of feminine beauty and has dominion over abundance, success, happiness and love. She is the embodiment of erotic energy, whether used for sexuality, procreation or metaphysical purposes. She is the spirit of the rising sun, hope and fresh beginnings. Lalita is incorporated into the Hindu pantheon as a path of Parvati and/or Durga.

**Manifestation:** Lalita appears as a ravishingly beautiful sixteen-year old. She may be vividly, blindingly bright: Lalita emanates the light of the sun but her heat is that of the early morning, not the potentially destructive burning noon rays.

**Iconography:** In addition to statues, Lalita is venerated in the form of a yantra, a geometrical image containing and transmitting the essence of the divine being. Lalita’s yantra is particularly complex consisting of nine intersecting triangles, four facing up, five facing down.

**Planet:** Sun

**Colour:** Red

**Flower:** Red lotus

**See Also:** Aurora; Durga; Eos; Parvati

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Hotei

**Also Known As:** Ho Tei; Hoteison

Hotei is one of the Shichi Fukujin, Japan’s Seven Spirits of Good Luck. Hotei is the spirit of wealth, joy, and contentment. (Sometimes he is the spirit of being content with what you have; other times he is the distributor of extra luck and wealth.) People love him because he has the reputation of being an exceptionally generous provider, but Hotei represents more than just material wealth: he is the spirit of the joy of life; the many treasures that can’t be counted or quantified.

Hotei epitomizes the phrase “fat and happy.” His joy is infectious. Hotei is envisioned as a Chinese Buddhist priest and may be based on an actual historic Zen master who lived in China sometime between the sixth and tenth centuries CE. After death, he was venerated as the Lord of Good Fortune. A laughing, fat, bald man, his images are often mistaken for those of Buddha. References to the “Laughing Buddha” may actually indicate Hotei.

**Favoured People:** Fortune-tellers, diviners, bartenders

**Manifestations:** Hotei is a merry, laughing fat man with a big belly carrying an equally big bag of rice. He has very long ears: the better to hear your petitions with but also indicative of his wealth. Heavy valuable earrings have stretched out his lobes. Hotei is surrounded by lots of happy, laughing children. (He’s a fertility deity, too.)

**Iconography:** Rub the fat belly of Hotei’s statue for good luck, prosperity, and wealth.

**Attributes:** He holds a fan in one hand and a big, full bag in the other.

**Mount:** Hotei rides in a cart pulled by happy, healthy, rambunctious children. (Pulling his cart is not a chore: they’re having fun and so is he.)

**See Also:** Buddha; Laughing Buddha; Shichi Fukujin

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Hindu

The Hindus believe that this is not the first universe. They believe in rebirth, meaning that there will be countless more universes. These universes are created by Lord Brahma, known as the Creator, maintained by Lord Vishnu the Sustainer and destroyed by Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is called the Destroyer and Re-creator, as with each destroyed universe another must be recreated. Once a universe is destroyed, nothing remains but an endless ocean. On a great swimming snake Ananta, is Lord Vishnu. Growing out of Lord Vishnu's navel is a lotus flower and out of this sprouts his servant, Lord Brahma, the creator of all things. Brahma divided his own body in two. Out of one, Brahma shaped man; out of the other, woman. The man was called Manu, and he was wise; the woman Shatarupa, and she was mysterious. Today, Hindus consistently worship their creator god Brahman, who is known as the supreme deity. There are countless gods in the Hindu pantheon, all known for their unique traits and mystic abilities

From Smite Gods.

## Gods

These are the deities of the Hindu pantheon

ShivaKrishnaParvatiKaliDurgaGaneshaAgniIndraHanumanKamaLakshmiKartikeyaDhumavatiChandraRavanaKumbhakarna

## Creatures/Spirits

nandiAsuraGarudaApsarasNagaGandharvaAcheriBakasura
Knives

Knives were first created by flaking flint, jasper, and other cryptocrystalline quartzes into finely edged tools. The knife is ruled by Mars and the element of fire. This tool has been used both for life-threatening (stabbing) as well as life-affirming (cooking) purposes. It was the first implement used for eating, for it could both cut food as well as transfer it to the mouth.
Konsei Myojin

Root of Life; Great Shining One

**Origin:** Japan

Among the most ancient forms of religion is worship of human genitalia. This primeval form of spirituality occurs around the world. Sacred images of the reproductive organs or the spirits associated with them were identified as possessing the spark of life, sacred pro-creative power but also capable of bestowing wealth and abundance, healing illness, encouraging good health, banishing malicious spirits,breaking the influence of the Evil Eye and providing safe, easy childbirth.

Konsei Myojin is an ancient Japanese phallic deity. He is unusual as he is not venerated as part of a pair as is typical with sacred genitalia. He seems to have no consort. He is venerated alone in the form of a phallus.

Konsei Myojin bestows wealth, power and good health. He has the power to heal all illness and afflictions that occurs below the belt. Konsei Myojin is invoked for fertility, virility and safe, easy childbirth.

Initially venerated throughout Japan, he became the favoured deity of bordellos. His image was believed to magnetically attract wealth, business and safety to the establishment. The customers liked him, too, as Konsei can reputedly stimulate sexual prowess.

After Japan ended its long isolation and began to take its place as a world power, ancient folkloric symbols were reassessed. A deity in the form of a sexually aroused phallus was considered neither polite nor civilized. The primeval image of Konsei Myojin was banned during the Meiji era (1868–1912). He was largely replaced by the image of Maneki Neko although substitutions also include Daruma dolls, images of Daikoku, Ebisu and mushrooms.

Some treasured images of Konsei Myojin were hidden away. One survives in a small museum devoted to sex attached to Japan’s Izu Paradise Park where his ritual may be reenacted in order to receive Konsei Myojin’s blessings of wealth, good fortune and sexual prowess:

* Invoke Konsei’s blessings
* Touch the image’s exposed penis three times
* Ring the bells on the altar
* If he fulfills your request, carry his amulet or build a private home altar for him

**Iconography:** A big erect phallus or as a man whose erect phallus pokes through his garments

**Sacred site:** Once upon a time, Konsei Myojin had many temples; his image appeared on the kamidana (spirit shelf) of every brothel. A particularly ancient shrine was located at Konsei Pass above Lake Yumoto, near Nikko.

**Altar:** Traditional Japanese images of Konsei Myojin are virtually impossible to find but any sort of phallic imagery can substitute

**Offerings:** Penis-shaped candles; milagros in the form of male reproductive organs; (if you can’t find mass-produced images, they are easily cut from tin or made from wax or bread dough); all kinds of phallic imagery: Roman images; Thai penis amulets; Shiva lingam

**See Also:** Daikoku; Daruma; Dionysus; Ebisu; Hermes; Maneki Neko; Priapus; Shiva

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Hulden

**Origin:** Teutonic

The Hulden are German hill Fairies led by Hulda and serving as her entourage. Their fortunes have risen and fallen with hers. Once upon a time, they were considered beautiful, volatile, but potentially generous dancing spirits. Post-Christianity they were reclassified as malevolent female Demons, the proverbial wicked Fairies. This may be propaganda intended to discourage contact and veneration. Hulden should always be addressed respectfully. They can be helpful and friendly but have a tendency to be temperamental. They can be punitive spirits, as well.

**See Also:** Demon; Fairy; Hulda; Vila

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes
Lady Tung

**Origin:** Giarai

The Giarai are an ethnic minority living in Vietnam and Cambodia, much beloved by anthropologists for their elaborate funeral traditions. Lady Tung is the Giarai weaving goddess of life and death.

Giarai tradition suggests that souls of the dead travel to an after-life village in the west where they live a parallel existence. Lady Tung and her compatriot Lady Tai preside over a large, deep cave that is a threshold between the realms of the living and the dead. Once upon a time, long ago, the living could enter this cave and visit with ancestors, friends and relatives but it got too crowded. Spirits blocked the entrance to the cave with a huge tree trunk, thus separating the realms of the living and the dead.

Lady Tung presides over birth and death.

* When she weaves a new weft, a child is born
* When her thread breaks, someone dies

The Giarai believe in Reincarnation; souls transition between different realms over life times. As weavers, Lady Tung and Lady Tai preside over these transitions. They are fate goddesses. Humans are believed to have two incarnations in the realm of the living and two in the realm of the dead. Having completed those four life/ death cycles, Lady Tung and Lady Tai transforms souls into spiders, which wander Earth until transforming again into a dewdrop, they enter a newborn soul.

**See Also:** Fates

## Information Source

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses by Judika Illes