Dziwożona. Woodcut by Jan Styfi (1839-1921) based on an earlier engraving by Henryk Pillati.
Dziwożona is said to kidnap newborn babies and switch them with her own children (changelings). If she did switch it was noticeable that the child was a changeling. They would have an uncommon appearance such as a disproportionate body, a disability, huge abdomen, unusually proportioned head, a hump, thin arms and legs, hairy body, or long claws, and would prematurely cut their teeth.
It's also said that these changelings would have a wickedness to them. They would be spiteful towards others, fear its mother, noisiness, be reluctant to sleep, and an exceptional glut. It would be rare for a changeling to reach adulthood as they typically die young. As an adult, they gibber instead of talk and do not trust people.
In order to keep the Dziwożona away from their newborn's mothers would tie a red ribbon around their child's hand, put a red hat on its head, and shield its face from the moon and sun. She should never wash the nappies after sunset or turn her head away from the child when it sleeps. Another method is to keep a St. John's wort flower at home or nearby as to grab it if she comes for the child for protection.
If she was able to take the child and leave a changeling there is a method to get the child back. The mother would have to take the changeling to a midden and whip it with a birch twin and pour water over it from an eggshell. While doing this she will have to shout "Take yours, give mine back!" The Dziwożona would want to save her child and switch them back.
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