#laumes

these goddesses are some of the oldest in lithuania. from half-creature half-human, they transformed into beautiful sky goddesses, then old crones. they guarded children, brought rain, and weaved the loom of a person’s life. 

“Laumes are the oldest spirits of Lithuanian mythology. The images of these spirits may have developed during the historical Mesolithic period, just after the Ice Age. Laume first appeared in the form of animals, like goats, bears, or mares. Later she took on a half-human appearance, usually bird claws for feet, the lower body of a she-goat, and large stone nipples. Later still she was represented as a beautiful and supernatural water woman-creature, with fair hair and skin the color of the moon. Laumes were both benevolent and dangerous. They could tickle men to death and then eat their bodies. They could protect women and children or punish them brutally.” A brutally beautiful essay by Lidia Yuknavitch. Read more here. (Image: Anna Atkins, Cystoseira fibrosa, ca. 1843-1853. Cyanotype. Spencer Collection, the New York Public Library. New York Public Library Digital Collections.)