The circle of mushrooms (ring of fairies, circle of elves, witch's circle) is a natural phenomenon. The mushrooms create a ring or arc in the soil and germinate through the grass to form a circle. Some consider these rings a good omen, others a bad omen.
For thousands of years, the sudden appearance of a circle of mushrooms has been considered a sure sign of the presence of otherworldly forces. These rings, it would seem, appeared overnight, sometimes moved from place to place for unknown reasons.
Tales of the dark forces that are believed to have created these anomalies have been passed down from generation to generation. Many legends and stories have been created about these magic rings.
Mushroom rings in moss in Iceland.
The size of these rings ranges from a few centimeters in diameter to 50 meters or more. The ring of mushrooms in Belfort, France, is considered the largest ever found. It is about 600 meters in diameter and 700 years old.
Sometimes there can be several rings, they overlap each other, creating strange twisting patterns on the grass. Often the grass inside the ring is dry and of a different color than the grass outside.
Legends of mushroom rings
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There are many different beliefs about magic rings. Most of the myths are associated with fairies, other supernatural beings, or dancing around the ring. It was believed that the ring served as a door to the fairy kingdom.
Mushroom ring on the grass. These rings are considered to be the entrance to another dimension, a dangerous area.
It was also believed that the mushroom circles were formed by shooting stars, lightning strikes, or the work of witches. These beliefs persisted throughout the 19th century. There was a strict warning not to enter the circle of mushrooms, so as not to end up in the kingdom of fairies, where imminent death awaits a person.
Mushroom rings are known throughout Europe. They were called rings of magicians in France and rings of witches in Germany, where they were allegedly most active on Walpurgis Night, April 30. On this night, witches, according to legend, meet and hold celebrations in honor of the arrival of spring.
Fairies dancing in rings. Painting by Richard Dadd, 1842
In British, Scandinavian, Celtic and other traditional European cultures, mushroom rings are believed to be created by fairies or elves during night dances. Such events were associated with moonlit nights.
In Scotland, fairies were believed to sit on mushrooms or use them as tables during the holidays. While in Wales, mushrooms are believed to be the umbrellas of the fairies. Even now, people in Wales believe that the rings represent an underground fairytale village.
Welsh folklore sees rings as a sign of fertility and wealth. They say that it is good to graze livestock around them and grow crops.
Ring of mushrooms, By contrast, Dutch legends say that the sterile center of the ring is caused by the devil placing his milk can there.
In Austria, it is believed that flying dragons created mushroom rings, and only toadstools can grow around for seven years.
In France, it was believed that strange circles of mushrooms were guarded by giant toads, sending a curse on anyone who entered the ring.
Do not enter the witch circle
In the old days, it was believed that these dangerous places should be avoided, since they are associated with evil creatures.
If you decide to enter the witch's circle, you will die young, many legends say. You can also become invisible to the mortal world, but you will not be able to get out of the ring. You may even go blind, or be forced to dance around the ring until you die of exhaustion or insanity.
Involved in the Witch's Circle, illustration for TH Thomas's book, 1880
To avoid this terrible fate, you need to run around the ring 9 times, but no more. It is said that in order to enter the ring and not be in danger, one can move inside the ring during a full moon, but only in the direction in which the sun moves during the day. If you do this, you can hear the fairies dancing underground.
You can also flip the hat backwards to confuse the fairies so they won't hurt you.
Can science explain the mystery of the witch's circles?
This natural phenomenon is well known. Mycelium grows in fertile, moist soils. In good conditions, mushrooms will develop from the spores (the most famous edible mushroom is Scottish honey mushrooms or champignons).
Part of a circle made of smoky talker.
The mushrooms come out of the ground and create a ring. The mycelium, moving from the center outward and receiving nutrition from organic matter, decomposes during movement underground.
The dead mycelium forms a dense, water-repellent layer that prevents nutrients and moisture from reaching the surface. Eventually, the earth and vegetation inside the ring dry up and die, but on the outside of the ring, the grass remains juicy and green as the mycelium decomposes and releases fertilizer.
This cycle can continue for many centuries. The ring grows and shrinks, moving around the area, delighting some people and frightening others.
Mushroom circles in Africa?
Scientists still cannot explain the so-called magic circles in Africa. In Namibia, in southern Africa, round spots form on sandy soils for unknown reasons. The circles look like a mycelium, they disappear after a few decades. But scientists rule out the growth of fungi in arid areas. Local legends explain them by the work of the spirits and gods of nature.
Is it possible to get rid of the witch's circle?
To the dismay and dismay of those looking for immaculate lawns, getting rid of the magic ring is very difficult.
To stop the spread of mycelium, you should pick the mushrooms as soon as they appear. You can also try to remove mycelium and spoiled soil, but this will require digging quite deep and then filling the hole with fresh soil.
Perhaps it's easier to just go to the fairies?