Samodivi, wild Bulgarian nature nymphs + A Spell In Time events
Updated: Sep 11
In early autumn, the samodivi, the wild and beautiful nymphs of the waters and the woodlands, leave our world for their winter abode in Zmeykovo (Dragon village) at the ends of the earth. For me, this passage from summer to autumn marks a change in mood. I love autumn. It is a contemplative season, a time for dreams and memories of what was and what could be.
Samodivi are perhaps the most magical and captivating of Bulgaria's mythological beings. These wild nature nymphs dwell upon our earth from spring to autumn, singing and dancing from dusk till dawn in their sacred places. They ride upon stags harnessed with serpents. They can fly up to the moon, and they know the secrets of the healing herbs, but they are also dangerous and can never be tamed. If someone crosses them, they are merciless. They can steal a man’s eyes and take the blood from his heart!
Sometimes a man manages to capture and marry a samodiva, but she will always seek to return to the wild.
Whilst they incorporate many Slavic elements, samodivi are probably the mythological descendants of Bendis / Hekate, the ancient Thracian great goddess in her manifestation as mistress of wild nature and the moon. There are Orphic elements, too, in the numerous tales featuring musicians or singers. Sometimes the samodivi kill those who cross them. Or sometimes they kidnap a shepherd to play the kaval (wooden flute) for them, to accompany their wild dances - but will he survive?
You can read some of these fascinating Bulgarian traditional tales and find out more about samodivi in my new book, Beyond Nine Forests: Tales of Hidden Bulgaria,
As well as stories about samodivi, the book includes fabulous Bulgarian folk tales, myths and legends about shapeshifting dragons, epic heroes, magical animals, vampires, angels and much more, along with an exploration of their roots in Bulgaria’s folklore and ancestral mythologies going back to ancient Thracian times. The book has received excellent reviews. For further information and full reviews, please visit https://www.spellintime.co.uk/beyond-nine-forests
A Spell In Time also has some events coming up this autumn.
A SPELL IN TIME EVENTS, SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2026
Saturday 5 September, 11am-5pm
MULTICULTURAL BOOK AND POETRY FAIR
Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, LONDON WC1R 4RL
FREE but advisable to book tickets in advance Book here
We’ll be promoting my book Beyond Nine Forests: Tales of Hidden Bulgaria at this fantastic celebration of diverse literature from around the world. You can get to chat to authors or engage in the all-day programme of talks and readings. We're on table 42 under the name of Paraskeva Publishing. Drop by and see us for a chat, and you can even buy a signed copy of the book if you like!
Friday 25 September, 7.30pm (doors 7pm)
BEYOND NINE FORESTS: Tales of Hidden Bulgaria
Performance by A Spell In Time
The All Good Bookshop, 35 Turnpike Lane, LONDON N8 0EP, Tickets £10, Book here
Welcome to a world of dangerous liaisons, seductive dragons, wild men and even wilder women. Dark, beautiful and humorous in turn, these ancient Bulgarian tales cross the boundaries of time and space to speak to the heart, mind and soul.
12-26 October
STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS IN SOFIA, BULGARIA
We are running two storytelling workshops in Sofia, one for beginners as part of the EU Ancestor project, and one for The Community of Bulgarian Storytellers. There will also be a presentation of Moni's book, Beyond Nine Forests: Tales of Hidden Bulgaria, together with a performance of some of the stories from the book.
Thursday 10 December, 7.30pm
THE DREAMWATCHER: Tales of Hidden Bulgaria
Performance by A Spell In Time
The Piano House, 41 England's Lane, LONDON NW3 4YD
TICKETS: £18 / £15 concs.
Keywords: Samodiva, Samodivi, Bulgarian nature nymphs, Bendis, Thracian goddess, Orpheus, Bulgarian folk tales, Bulgarian traditional tales, Bulgarian folklore, Beyond Nine Forests
N.B. All material in this blog and website is the copyright © of Moni Georgieva Sheehan and A Spell In Time
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