Spinning Silver

The sensation of cold and frost are associated with the Staryk, whose powers lean to all things winter. However, it is also associated with Miryem’s ability to suppress any empathy or compassion when it comes to collecting on her debts. While the cold of Miryem’s guarded heart may be contrasted with the warmth of her family, the primary comparison is between Chernobog and the Staryk. The Staryk are fairies made of ice, which makes the fire demon Chernobog a reasonable foil and natural enemy. Where one becomes strong, the other becomes weak, as seen by the Chernobog’s increased power and size, which comes from drinking water from the Staryk mountainside.

Silver and gold also represent ice and fire, Staryk and Chernobog. While silver fits neatly with the Starks’ wintry aesthetic, the Staryk king is able to be bound with a chain of silver. Similarly, the sun which is magically present in gold is able to bind and injure the Chernobog. In an ironic twist, Miryem is able to use the Chernobog’s own fire against him, as it melts the gold coins onto his body.