Tales of evil spirits, witches, vampires, and other supernatural creatures are sprinkled throughout folklore. From Celtic legends to Iceland and early America, running water has magical properties that can be used to protect against such evils. Water, being considered one of the sources of life, is a key component in many superstitions. Water is a cleansing force and is used within most religions for rituals, healing and protection.

Rivers form a ward against spirits and evil, as many superstitions believe that these forces cannot cross its magical properties. By jumping over a stream, crossing a bridge, or swimming across a river’s current, a person can escape demons, vampires and witches.

Rivers have been used to bury those whose spirits could come back to walk the earth, such as victims of suicide or executed criminals. Vampires should be buried in a river or stream, as it will prevent the creature from re-awakening. Rivers also have the power to cause a vampire to go up in flames.  

Even the stones from rivers can carry the moving water’s properties, and have been used to cure various ailments such as warts, back problems, and thrush. River stone massages are said to accelerate healing, as the river stones provide a healing aura and absorb the bad elements that affect a person’s sense of well-being.  

Scandinavian folklore tells of a ghostly horse known as Backahasten, similar to Celtic kelpies. This spirit often appears along foggy river banks, enticing people to ride. Once on the ghost-horse’s back, the Backahasten would dive back into the river, drowning its rider.

Australian aborigines tell tales of the Bunyip, a water-creature that would use humans for food. They were credited with disease that spread through contaminated waters. With tusks, flippers, and a tail like a horse, this creature struck fear into native populations with its cries.

German mythology has its tales of Loreley, a virgin that inhabited a rock by the river Rhine. The waters near this rock were perilous, and Loreley would sing to passing ships, luring them to their demise.

The River Styxis the barrier between the land of the living and the land of the dead in Greek mythology. Circling the earth nine times, it is guarded by a ferryman who guides souls to Hades. Gods who drank the waters of the river would lose their voices for nine years. The River Styx was one of five rivers in the Underworld, the others being Acheron (woe), Phlegethon (fire), Cocytus (wailing), and Lethe (concealment).

Native American tales also include a river spirit known as Uncegila. This evil spirit polluted river waters, destroying crops. Her death, dried and scorched by the sun, is said to have brought about the Badlands of Nebraska and the Dakotas.

Rivers have a long tradition of being featured in superstitions and folklore. Water is considered to be a source of life and magic, a barrier between living and dead, and a keeper of spirits and souls.

References:

www.hauntediceland.com

Pickering, David. Dictionary of Superstitions, 1995

www.castleofspirits.com

www.absolutehealing.com