I will be using the Swedish names/words as there are no English translations.
Rådare comes from the word “råda” which means “to rule/take care of” so a rådare is a creature that rules over something.
Every rådare rules over their own thing. For example there’s a skogsrå for every forest.
The easiest way to make them happy is through respect and gifts.
You can protect yourself from them by wearing metal.
Remember that the gift has to be biodegradable! A lot of sources say that you should give coins, clothes, tobacco etc. But this is extremely disrespectful as you’re destroying their home (and it’s generally shitty to pollute).
Even if you haven’t done anything to make them angry it’s always good to show respect by acknowledging them when you enter their home.
Rules over the forest and the creatures that live there.
Usually looks like a beautiful woman with a hollow back and/or hooves and tail. She can also take the shape of different forest creatures.
If in a good mood she helps those who are lost and warns people about incoming storms.
If in a bad mood she makes sure people get lost.
If you live on your own in/close to a forest (or if you are camping) she might come at night when you’re sitting by the fire and attempt to seduce you. If you sleep with her she will keep a part of your soul and you will always have a longing and obsession with the forest.
If hunters give her gifts she might “give” them an extra big animal. Though if they manage to shoot one of the animals she protects they have to face her wrath
Rules over the ocean and the creatures that lives there.
Usually looks like a beautiful woman with long hair, gills, fins, and a fishtail. She can also take the shape of different sea creatures.
If in a good mood she shows fishermen where they can find the best fish or warns them about incoming storms. She can also give them good wind and help boats that are taking in water.
If in a bad mood she can trick boats into storms so they get lost or sink.
Sometimes she will seduce people and drag them down to her home at the bottom of the ocean where they are forced to work as servants.
She might stop boats and offer to buy their load, if this happens it’s best to accepts as if you say no she might get so angry that she takes down the entire ship.
Rules over lakes and the creatures that live there.
Usually looks like a beautiful woman with a hollow back. Unlike havsrået she has legs. She can also take the shape of different freshwater creatures.
If in a good mood she might help fishermen and warn them about incoming storms.
She only drowns people who have made her angry or if she is very hungry.
Just like skogsrået if fishermen give her gifts she might “give” them an extra big fish. Though if they manage to catch one of the creatures she protects they have to face her wrath.
Rules over mountains and mines.
Usually looks like a tall woman in an elegant, grey dress. If seen wearing black it is a sure sign of death.
If in a good mood she shows miners better ore veins or warns them about any dangers.
If in a bad mood she tries to scare people away, if they ignore the warning signs she makes sure they get lost in the mine.
Enjoys silence and solitude.
Doesn’t like it when people make too much noise.
Becomes very angry if miners manage find one of the ore veins she protects.
Rules over natural springs.
Usually looks like a young girl but most of the time she’s invisible. She can also take the shape of a toad.
If in a good mood she might show you the future though the water surface. It’s important to remember not to look for too long or too deep as you might lose yourself.
If in a bad mood she can make you sick after you’ve drank the water.
A lot of sources will say that if you sacrifice something to her before you drink the water it will heal you as well as make the water clean/drinkable. This is not true. There’s not a magical cure for deceases or disorders. Also there’s no way to magically make water drinkable. Always make sure a natural spring is clean before you drink from it.
This is compiled from my own grimoire / what I was taught growing up
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