Mermay Day 10: Mermaids and Magic
Like several supernatural creatures mermaids are sometimes capable of doing magic or casting spells. This is usually to show that they are evil, unchristian, and pagan or the exact opposite, that they are good, wise, and divine.
Many mermaids possess supernatural powers that aren’t necessarily magic. The most common abilities are weather manipulation, shapeshifting, prophecy, and a siren song, these abilities overlap with many fae, certain types of witches, and even some dragons.
Ea/Enki who was a fish tailed god of water, mischief and magic among other things. Usually benevolent and one of the oldest gods.
The apkallu were sages who were teachers of mankind and in some cases they taught us magic.
Telchines were known to be magicians on top of being dog-like and/or fishtailed. It is because of their dark magics that they were destroyed by the gods or cursed.
Lumpeguin are capable of shapeshifting and had the ability to create food out of nothing or very little and were seen as benevolent. They had magical garments as well similar to a selkie or red cap.
Finfolk while possessing the same food abilities were generally malicious and untrustworthy. They could row oceans in seven strokes, conjure illusions, and shapeshift. As far as i can tell finfolk have the most numerous magical abilities.
Jaioren who were benevolent are said to be magical weavers and could turn their tears into pearls.
In the story of Ys there is a sorceress by the name of dahut or ( Ahez ) who theough accident or wicked intent sunk the city of Ys. When it sank in some accounts she becomes a mermaid. Usually as a form of punishment.
Sirena Chilota was known to be able to cast spells on mem in order to bring them to the kingdom under the sea. Weather or not she knew other spells isn’t really specified.
As far as i can tell there are very rare accounts of a merperson being considered a sea witch, or any type of witch. Sea witches were usually hag like and almost always lived on land or in a swamp environment.