Ursitory

Ursitory

ORIGIN:

Roma (Gypsy)

The Ursitory are three birth Fairies who arrive on the third night after birth to foretell a baby’s fate. Only the infant can see them but the mother and midwife (drabarni: literally “herb woman”) can hear them and thus their pronouncements. No one can change destiny once it’s been fixed by the Ursitory. The fate they decree cannot be annulled. The Ursitory make no mistakes and do not lie. They cannot be bribed. In The Ursitory, the 1946 book by Roma author Matéo Maximoff (17 January 1917–24 November 1999), the author uses the word angels as a synonym for the Ursitory in order to emphasize their power, grandeur, and significance.

URSITORY BIRTH Ritual

Invite good fortune by welcoming the Ursitory politely:

• On the third night following a birth, cast a circle within which you must place offerings for the Ursitory. The circle should be large enough to enclose the baby and may be cast around the baby’s bed and a small table.

• Set three places, one for each Ursitory. Each Ursitory should receive a glass of wine and a slice of bread or cake. It’s recommended that sweet bread or honey cake be served in hopes that the destiny they reveal will be similar.

MANIFESTATION:

Depending on who’s describing them, the Ursitory may be male or female. Sometimes Ursitory refers to three male spirits and Urme refers to their three female counterparts.

SEE ALSO:

Fairy, Birth; Keshalyi

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.