Tradition / Region: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternate Names: Geisbusch Night Bird
Category: Bird
The Myth
Many years ago, in the wooded area called Geisbusch between Alzingen and Itzig, there lay a large fishpond. Each evening an unknown bird appeared there, whose harsh and repulsive song frightened all who heard it.
People believed the creature possessed the power to bewitch any living being that came into its sight, luring them toward the pond where they would perish in the water. Because of this, no one dared approach it.
At last a mounted hunter decided to destroy the uncanny bird. One evening he rode into the forest with his double-barreled gun and crept close to the pond. When he thought himself near enough, he fired at the bird. Immediately afterward a pitiful cry and a dull roar were heard, and horse and rider were swallowed by the waters of the pond.
After this event, the pond was said to have turned into a wild moor. The place remained visible for a long time, but people carefully avoided it, believing that evil spirits still lingered there and sought to destroy anyone who came too near.
Gallery
Sources
sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Der verhexte Wasservogel auf dem Fischteich im Geisbusch. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Fischteich_Geisbusch.html
Interpretive Lenses
Religious Readings
- Christian Ascetic Deep Dive
Philosophical Readings
- Nietzschean Deep Dive
Psychological Readings
- Jungian Deep Dive
Esoteric Deep Dive
- Hermetic Deep Dive
Political / Social Readings
- Marxist Deep Dive