Fear of Magically Induced Love in Estonian Traditional and Contemporary Belief Narratives

Abstract

The loss of control over one’s mind, body and behavior is one of the most common psychological fears that is often also expressed in belief narratives. The aim of this article is to comparatively analyse beliefs and narratives of magically-induced love in Estonian older tradition and contemporary folklore in order to find out to what extent the emphases and explanation models related to allowed and forbidden types of such magic intrusion have changed, and which elements are universal in both sources. There are several hundred archival texts about feelings and opinions related to magically-induced love in Estonian older folklore collections, but the topic is also still vital in contemporary folklore, being well visible in women’s internet forums and media narrations, and the ability to impose love magic or protect someone against it are often listed among the skills of modern healers and spiritual practitioners. The aim is to exemplify the important role of belief folklore in formulating and interpreting fears and desires related to feelings, and associated behavior over time in its interplay with societal changes.