Healing Volcanic Springs by Ronesa Aveela
In the October issue, you learned about Baba Vanga (1911–1996), a clairvoyant and znahar, a woman who heals with herbs and possibly a little magic. Many people say these women obtain their ability from a saint, angel, or Samodiva (woodland nymph). Vanga’s relative’s, however, said her power came from the healing mineral springs where she lived the latter part of her life—Rupite, located in the mountainous region of southwestern Bulgaria. The house she lived in still remains situated at the foot of an extinct volcano. Vanga believed three temples existed below the surface: “Saint Petka,” “Saint Mary” and “Saint Panteleimon.”
people who died here. My plea to all of you is to continue to commemorate this day, to honor the memory of all people who have died all that time ago.” In Baba Vanga’s honor, the Saint Petka Bulgarska church was build in the town. Visitors from around the world come to the chapel for spiritual and physical healing. Vanga’s comment about these springs is: “The thermal water here at the Rupite has great healing power. It is magical. You can drink it or bathe in it. It can cure illness of the stomach, kidneys, liver, muscle atrophy, backache. It can cure everything. Let your children walk barefoot here, bathe in the water. “Don’t try making money from this spring! People come here, digging, excavating… You should know that this spring cannot be turned into a business. If you start selling this water, it will disappear, and God knows only where it will reappear. Look after this water. I’ve been telling you, times will come when you will sell your gold jewelry for water.”
Baba Vanga’s last house in Rupite. Anton Lefterov [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/bysa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons.
In her book, she says: “Thousands of years ago, on the 15th of October, a volcano erupted. […] The fiery abyss that devoured this town is now sending us its hot vapors to heal us. These are the exhales of the innocent
Food for the Soul Besides the power of the springs, Vanga and other znahars heat honey and include it in many of their remedies—for both internal and external use. Perhaps this is because it’s a favorite food of the gods and mystical creatures, especially Samodivi. In Bulgarian folklore, honey also plays an important role as an offering to these nymphs.
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