The Vett Spring at Biltöst

Härjedalen · Sweden · Natural site

The priest threw a tar root into the spring and bound the vettar until it rotted – so they laughed. Then he threw in a stone and said the same. Then they began to weep.

At the summer pasture of Biltöst in Lillhärdal there were, the account says, a great many vettar – the underground folk of northern Swedish belief. They came at dawn and called in through the wall: "Up, up and milk your cows, mine walk in the green meadow, but yours stand with muddy feet!" The woman on the pasture lived there with her children, and they were never allowed to sleep in peace. When she went out to milk, the vettar lay in her bed; when she came back in, they lay beneath it. At last they had to fetch the priest. He threw a tar root into the spring and told them to stay away until it had rotted – at which they laughed, thinking it no great matter. Then he threw a stone into the spring and said the same. Then they began to weep. The spring has been called Vettkälda ever since, and lies between Biltöst and Bergsvallen. Recorded in 1949.

FAQ

Where is The Vett Spring at Biltöst located?

The Vett Spring at Biltöst is in Härjedalen, Sweden.