Tradition / Region: Andorran Mythology
Alternate Names: —
Category: Witch, Sheep
The Myth
The Witches of Engolasters are a collective of witches from across the Pyrenees who gather at Lake Engolasters on the night of the summer solstice to renew their pact with the devil. The lake itself is considered a deeply esoteric place, associated with mystery and supernatural forces, where even falling stars are believed to sink into its depths.
On the night of Saint John, witches travel from distant mountains and valleys to assemble at the lake. Before the sabbath begins, they gather special herbs used to create a magical drink that grants them the power to cast spells. During this preparation, the devil marks them, altering their nature and distinguishing them from ordinary women.
At midnight, under the moonlight, the sabbath begins. The witches form circles around the devil, who appears in the form of a goat and plays music that drives the ritual forward. The dance becomes increasingly wild and chaotic, accompanied by shouting, whistling, and the drinking of enchanted potions. During this time, the witches declare the curses they will cast over their lands in the coming year.
Young men sometimes attempt to spy on the gathering, climbing toward the lake with protective branches. However, they are often discovered before reaching it. The witches use enchantment against them, transforming them into black cats and drawing them into the ritual itself.
By morning, the lake returns to silence. Those who were transformed awaken far from the scene, exhausted and with no memory of what occurred. The sabbath leaves no visible trace, but its effects are believed to linger throughout the year.
Sources
Valls, À., & Carol, R. (2023). Llegendes d’Andorra. In Encamp-Montellà: Anem Editors. p. 46.