#bmwc*

[mythos-theos]

Badass Mythical Women and Creatures → Scáthach

In the Ulster Cycle of Irish Mythology, Scáthach (“The Shadow” or “Warrior Maid”) is a warrior woman and martial arts teacher that runs an instructional school for young warriors, called Dún Scáith. She taught the Ulster hero Cú Chulainn, and gave her deadly spear, Gáe Bulg, to him. She also blessed the marriage of her daughter, Uathach, to Cú Chulainn.

Scáthach is the daughter of Árd-Greimne of Lethra, and sister of Aífe. The two sisters were fierce rivals, and after Aífe threatens Scáthach and her land, Cú Chulainn nearly kills and rapes Aífe.

[mythos-theos]

Badass Mythical Women and Creatures → Kikimora

In Slavic mythology, a Kikimora is a mischievous domestic fairy that lurks in pantries and cowers behind ovens.  If a house was orderly, she’d look after it and their chickens. If not, she’d break plates, whistle obnoxiously, and spin during the night. A Kikimora often tickles or sits on the chests of sleeping people. She causes a form of sleep paralysis in her victims, much like the Mora.

[mythos-theos]

Badass Mythical Women and Creatures → La Sayona

La Sayona is a Venezuelan legend of a vengeful spirit who appears to men having extramarital affairs. She has been known to devour men, mutilate and mangle them, rip off their genitals, or give them sexually transmitted diseases.  

[mythos-theos]

Badass Mythical Women and Creatures → Sphinx

In Greek mythology, a Sphinx was a female monster that had a lion body and wings protruding from its back. She was fond of riddles and those who answered incorrectly were often eaten by the ravenous beast. She was the daughter of Echidna and Typhon, and was considered a demon of death, disease and bad luck. The Sphinx lived on a rock near Thebes, and posed the same riddle to every passerby: “What animal is that which in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on two, and in the evening upon three?“ Oedipus finally solved her riddle after years of her killing those who didn’t, and the Sphinx threw herself off the rock in despair. The answer was man, who “in childhood creeps on hands and knees, in manhood walks erect, and in old age with the aid of a staff.”

There is also a mention of the Sphinx in both Egyptian and Persian mythology, though they are men and are far more benevolent than the Greeks’ Sphinx. They are said to be guardians, particularly of pyramids and burial sites.  

[mythos-theos]

Badass Mythical Women and Creatures → Witte Wieven

In Dutch mythology and folklore, a Witte Wieven (“White Woman” or “Wise Woman”) is a ghostly figure that was once a medicine healer and herbalist. Witte Wievens also had a gift of seeing the future, and were revered in early Dutch society because of this. When they died, their graves were honor in such a way that many were believed to come back as ghosts. They lived in sacred areas like burial places or gravehills. Witte Wievens plucked flowers and threw them on the ground at nighttime, and often helped those who needed it.

After the Christianization of Europe, Witte Wievens were believed to be evil ghost witches that hindered travelers and were only scared off by hissing at them. They were reputed to be pests and pranksters and many local legends were changed to demonize them.

[mythos-theos]

Badass Mythical Women and Creatures → Púca

In Celtic mythology, the Púca is a mischievous shapeshifter that can help or hinder those who encounter her. She is a commonly seen as a black horse, a goat and a hare or a human with animalistic qualities. She brings about either bad or good fortune, leading to ambiguity concerning her true nature. Her name has many variations (pooka, phouka, phooka, phooca, puca or púka), and so do the legends relating to her.

[mythos-theos]

Badass Mythical Women and Creatures → Xanas

In Asturian mythology Xanas are beautiful women with long blonde hair that inhabited waterfalls and the surrounding forested areas. Neither malicious nor benevolent, Xanas will either help travelers and give them miscellaneous treasures, including a potion of love and joy. Xanas do, however, steal away human children and replace them with Xaninos, their own children, because they cannot take care of them by themselves.  Xanas sing lovely melodies that cause those pure of soul to feel peace and happiness, while those unclean will be driven insane.

Xanas are also interpreted as small, dark-colored imp-like creatures that enter keyholes of houses to steal or bite people. These Xanas are clearly malicious, and unlike the previously described Xanas.

[mythos-theos]

Badass Mythical Women and Creatures → The Keres

In Greek Mythology, the Keres were bloodthirsty spirits of violent death. Their influence included death in battle, by accident, murder or ravaging disease. The Keres would feast upon the blood of these victims after sending them to Hades, and were often found doing so on the battlefield. They have been compared to the Valkyries of Norse mythology, but are far more malevolent.

The Keres were the daughters of Nyx and Erebus. They worked with their sisters, the Moirai, and their brother was Thanatos, god of nonviolent death. The Keres are portrayed as ugly, blackened figures with black wings and terribly sharp claws needed to rip into flesh. Some believe the Keres were personifications of epidemics, while others believe they are the Evils released from Pandora’s Box.