A domovik (also called domovoj, domovoy) is from Slavic folklore and is a household spirit residing in every home. The domovik traditionally is bonded to the ancestral founder of the family and moves with them from household to household. A domovoj is typically portrayed as small old man with a gray beard. The household refer to him “he,” “himself” or “grandfather,”—never by a first name or nickname.
The domovik, being a household spirit, is a little akin to Celtic brownies, and hobgoblins especially. The domovoj lives behind the oven and for a family to move, they must take fire from the old oven to the new one, where it is lit to welcome the domovoj into his new house. As with Celtic hobgoblins, the domovik watches over family members and prevents hostile spirits from entering the house, and, just like a brownie, he does household chores. The family must honour and respect the domovoj, for if family members displease him, he creates havoc with poltergeist-like behaviour and disturbances with the harshest punishment to burn down the house itself.
There are other types of domovoj, each of which has its own small domain. For example, the chlevnik lives in the barn and keeps the horses and beasts safe as well as tidying the barn. The bannik lives in the bathhouse and keeps the waters warm, the bathhouse clean and the water flowing. The ovinnik lives in the kitchen and is responsible for keeping the kitchen swept, food fresh and preventing the souring of any food stuffs.
It is the domovoj who oversees the protection the family, property, and animals associated with the house where he resides. He protects the family living in his home and warns them of impending disaster. For example, if a family member is awakened in the middle of the night by a cold, hard hand, this is the Domovoj forewarning of impending disaster. It is not unexpected that the Domovoj is sometimes considered a harbinger of death as well and he may wear the clothing of the head of the household or imitates this person, the death of the head of the household imminent. The Domovoj is most frequently witnessed as night.
The Domovoj may live in the big traditional Russian oven or in liminal spaces in the house such as the cellar, attic, or over the main entry threshold. It is traditional to leave offerings in areas of the home he’s known to frequent to honour his presence and protection of the household.
Manifestations:
The Domovoj is usually heard, not seen. He likes to be invisible. His presence is revealed only by rustling noises. When visible, the he resembles a tiny old man with grey, tangled, locked hair and a bushy beard. He may be entirely covered in soft, downy fur, including his palms of his hands and soles of his feet. The Domovoj is also a shape-shifter and may also manifest as a dog, cat, frog, rat, mouse.
Animal:
Horse. The Domovoj must be introduced to any new horses in the stables and his blessing welcomed upon them or he will play tricks like tangling the horses mane and stealing its food.
Offerings:
Kasha, bread, old-fashioned bast sandals which are hung in the dooryard where he will find them.
Leanbh Pearson 