On our second day of the A to Z challenge, I want to write about the spirit called a boggart. While these beings were made popular in the “Harry Potter” series, the legends and tales of boggarts go way back in English folklore. Some of the most commonly told tales being about the Lancashire boggarts which would roam the countryside and homes causing mischief, breaking things, and frightening people if they didn’t leave out offerings.
Boggarts are said by some to have shape shifting abilities, and that they like to use those abilities to take on the form of what scares the person the most. While many are said to be fairly harmless, other than frightening the daylights out of people…others are rumored to be of a more sinister nature…sometimes demanding the sacrifice of a life.
To be fair, there have also been stories of boggarts being helpful to people, unless something was done to offend them. These ancient spirits seem to have their roots more in the land than with dwellings, but as with so many previously hidden places…humans have moved in, giving animals and spirits alike no choice but to share them with us. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t wish to cross one.
To see artwork which goes with this work, click here to go to the blog of Evangeline who I am collaborating with for this year’s A to Z!
I went to a spiritual fair a few summers ago and there was a tent where you could make things with clay and they asked you to make a Boggart. At the time, I didn’t have a bloody clue what one was. They said it was like a woodland gremlin and as it happens, mine didn’t look unlike your picture! Afterwards, they were all hung in the tree branches. Hope mine didn’t offend any – cos that would explain a lot! I certainly wouldn’t want to cross one!
How funny Jules. Well, if yours looked like the picture, then I would say how could you have offended them. Very scary and that’s what they like to do innit? 😉
Very Nice…. love those little creatures.
Welcome in the “B”… as a host I am stopping by to say thank you!
Jeremy [Retro]
AtoZ Challenge Co-Host [2015]
There’s no earthly way of knowing.
Which direction we are going!
HOLLYWOOD NUTS!
Come Visit: You know you want to know if me or Hollywood… is Nuts?
Thanks Jeremy! Nice to see you 🙂
sorry i haven’t been around, have not been able to recover from a bad 2014… I hope all is swell at your end…
Sorry to hear that your 2014 wasn’t so hot. Hope that this year brings better things. It hasn’t been an easy time here either…taking it one step at a time.
one little step… 🙂
This was fascinating… thanks!
Thanks JohnMark
In Lancashire the locals look like that anyhow – how can you tell the difference 🙂
Haha David. I think I might have to place a few phone calls and fill them in on your opinion. Perhaps a nice little boggart will pay you a visit to show you the difference 😀
Are you doing mystical creatures for the whole challenge? Awesome!
2015 A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Matthew MacNish from The QQQE
Hi Matthew. It won’t be a creature every day, but it will be something from the realm of the paranormal. I just visited your blog…very nice.
Scary picture, but cool too. Nice pick for B word. I remember the bogarts from Harry Potter, but these guys sound versatile enough to be in plenty more good tales.
Hi Tamara! Thanks for dropping by. I am glad that you enjoyed the post. Yes boggarts do seem eerily adaptable 🙂
I wouldn’t want to cross one either! Read both your poetry and your entry for A-Z and enjoyed both. All the best for keeping it up, you truly have set yourself a challenge!.
Cheers.
Nilanjana
from Madly-in-Verse
Thanks for dropping by again Nilanjana! Thanks for the words of encouragement. Headed your way now 🙂
I wonder what my Harry Potter boggart would look like….I fear so many things the poor thing would probably collapse from shape shifting so much. lol
Haha JoJo…one time when many fears would be a good thing. Poor little boggart 😀
whoa wouldn’t want to cross one either. I’ve heard the term before but had no idea of its meaning. Thanks for the info!
Hi Donna! Thanks for dropping by. I love the title of your blog…can’t wait to see what you write about.