Occult Subculture in Kyiv

[krimster2]

I was wondering if there exists in Podilia(southern Kyiv), a small hidden occult subculture that is exclusively female, and that this subculture, isn’t some “wanna-be” manifestation, based on reading books on witchcraft, etc, but the “real deal" and that this subculture has been there continuously for centuries
(disclaimer: I’m an atheist, I don’t believe there is any such thing called “the supernatural”)

anyone encounter or hear of anything like this?

[Boethius]

You're thinking of a short story. Olesya, written by Alexander Kuprin.  It takes place in Podil.

Yes
Until the Revolution, Podil was an exclusive area, inhabited by nobility, and wealthy artists and businessmen.

[krimster2]

THANKS!!!!!!
I will go and find it!!!!

many, many thanks!!!

[Boethius]

The movie is on youtube.  It differs a little from the story.  Search as "Олеся". I don't believe it is subtitled.

[krimster2]

thanks for Olesya, I located an English version
that’s very close to what I’m looking for, it at least gives me a reference point
and it looks like a charming story, and I’m planning on reading the rest of his
never heard of Kuprin til now

here’s my question to you BO
do you think there are actual Olesya’s in Kyiv?
and that they are not just individuals, unconnected to one another
but part of a unique cultural tradition
that has survived all the calamities that have rained down on Kyiv

I’m not suggesting supernatural stuff
but just that within their belief system, they consider themselves to be Olesya
and there are more than just one, it's a community
and it’s a tradition with continuity, meaning, the ones today
have a connection to the ones who were there 100 years ago?

or should I increase my medication?

[Boethius]

do you think there are actual Olesya’s in Kyiv?

No.

There is a tradition of healing with herbs, and wax pouring.  I think that is the "witchcraft".  Wax pouring can be viewed as sort of mystical, but a lot of Ukrainians did it, all women.  I've seen it work.  I don't know why.  Here is a short book on wax pouring, which was brought to Canada by Ukrainian immigrants.

http://www.amazon.com/Word-Wax-Medical-Ukrainians-Alberta/dp/1895571200

[krimster2]

yes, I've seen the wax pouring in kyiv
also with (I have no idea how to describe this adequately)
small glass globes with a candle that's placed over the skin
and produces some suction when the candle is extinguished
leaves a bruise
no idea what it's called
or even what it's for exactly
I had no interpreter at the time
just a buncha babooshkas
having their way with me

but you're right, they would be "faith healers" basically
I've never met a young one
only older ones

[Boethius]

That is banky. It is different, it is used as a form of massage therapy. 

The wax pouring I mean is called strakh vylyvaty, or "to pour out fear".  Hot wax is poured over cold water, and the shapes formed are said to represent a person's fears   A mixture of prayers and mystical "incantations", for lack of a better word, are said over the person, to get rid of those fears. 

There was a belief that fears made a person physically ill, or held him/her back.  I've seen it work.  Whether it is mystical, or just the power of suggestion, I can't say, but it does work.  My grandmother used to do wax pourings (not everyone did them), but for very, very few people.

[krimster2]

they do it for hire now
plus they beat the bad energy out of you
babooshkas can hurt you!!!!

or maybe a scam, get paid to beat an american 
yes, project your fear into the wax

[SANDRO43]

A similar treatment is Chinese moxibustion, using dried mugwort (aromatic plant in the genus Artemisia) rather than wax: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moxibustion.

[krimster2]

interesting
many years ago in Shanghai I went into an herbal medicine shop
impressive place
a huge wall of wooden cabinets, hundreds, no labels, just drawers with a black metal handle
customer would want a specific item, the proprietor would know which drawer it was, take some out and make the sale
I had written down on a piece of paper what I wanted
"Dragon Bones"
supposedly, some type of ritualistic magic, in the form of excavated animal bones that had magical carvings on them
the bones come from one specific site and are supposed to be from the 4th century BC
I'm sure I paid tourist price