Leshy

Leshy or Leshi is a tutelary deity of the forest in pagan Slavic mythology. As Leshy rules over the forest and hunting, he may be related to the Slavic god Porewit.

Leshy often appears as a masculine humanoid, and possesses an ability to disguise himself as any person, including changing in size and stature. In some accounts, Leshy is described as having a wife (Leshachikha, Leszachka, Lesovikha, and sometimes the Kikimora of the swamp) and children (leshonki, leszonky).

Leshy is known to misguide wanderers and abduct young ones, traits he shares with the notorious Chort, the "Black One" or "Devil", thus leading some to perceive him as a malevolent entity. Leshy's attitude towards humans can vary, depending on how they interact with the forest and their overall behavior. Leshy is said to possess the power to whisk away children who were mistreated by their kin, especially their parents, to the ethereal realm of forest-dwelling folk. In this way, Leshy is also often considered to be temperamental, with a similar disposition to that of a fairy.

Names and etymology

thumb|upright|Drawing by [[Ivan Yizhakevych, Niva magazine, 1904]]

Leshy is known by a variety of names and spellings including the following:

Main name variations:

Borovoi (, ) "[one (masculine)] of the pine barrens"
Gayevoi (, ) "[one] of the grove"
Leshak (, )
Leshy (Russian: Леший, , , ) [one] of the deciduous forests
Lesnik (, , , )
Lesovik (, , , )
Lesovoi (, )
Lesun (, , )
Mežainis, (Latvian: "forester")
Miškinis (Lithuanian: "forest-man")
Miško velnias (Lithuanian: "Forest devil")
Vir'ava () "forest mother"

Euphemistic titles:

He () also used for the devil, based on superstition prohibiting invocation of evil
He himself () like "he" Many names mean something like "wild man" or "hairy man", although others describe common actions that this entity is said to perform, such as eating clams or shaking trees.

The depiction of Leshy in Russian folklore reflects his supernatural essence and his strong bond with the forest. Being the embodiment of the forest, he can manifest in various forms associated with it. Leshy is a multifaceted entity, a fusion of different elements: animal, plant, human, whirlwind, and formless spirit. In his stories, Leshy may not be explicitly described, as his form is often elusive, and the storyteller may even fear the consequences of vividly depicting such an "unclean force" (something from the Otherworld, beyond the limits of ordered reality).

In ancient tales, Leshy is depicted as a phytoanthropomorphic being (part plant, part human), with a distinct leaning towards either human or plant-like characteristics. He is often portrayed as a plant, such as a revered tree (a pine, spruce, birch, oak, or aspen), a bush, a stump, a leaf, or even a mushroom. Leshy may also take on a more human form with woodland traits, such as long, tangled green hair resembling tree branches, a beard made of lichen, and clothing and skin the color and texture of bark. In some cases, the plant-like features are reduced to accessories, such as a club or wand, a green beard, or green eyes and clothing. Leshy is said to possess the ability to whip humans with twigs, create noise and humming sounds, and even cause trees to split. In certain tales, Leshy is seen as the embodiment of the entire forest, filling his whole wood with his presence.

In the realm of folklore, Leshy assumes myriad forms, some of which are zooanthropomorphic creatures. He may take on the forms of wild and domestic animals, such as: bears, wolves, owls, demonic hares, frogs, crows, magpies, dogs, black cats, horses, and black goats. Leshy is also portrayed as a half-man half-goat, with black fur covering his body, small curved horns, hooves, long hair and a beard. Alternatively, he can appear as a human with animalistic features, including thick hair, animal pelts as clothes, claws, hooves, a tail, and wings. Leshy is often accompanied by an animal companion, such as a black dog or a small black goat.

Today, the dominant perception of Leshy is more anthropomorphic. He can vary in size from a giant to an average-sized man. Leshy is typically depicted with long, disheveled or thinning hair in shades of gray, green, or red and a matching beard. At times, he is imagined with a face as white as birch bark. His eyes can be green, unnaturally pale, white, lead-blue, brilliant, or dul, and they may appear bulging or fixed, with the right eye often larger than the left, or both larger than human eyes. Leshy may lack eyebrows and eyelashes, although he may also have bushy eyebrows. He is sometimes described as missing a nostril, right ear, or one eye, and may have a limp. According to some beliefs, Leshy has an upward-pointing head. In certain depictions, he is said to have blue blood, resulting in blue skin. Leshy is often characterized by a desire to conceal his face and avoid making eye contact with others. When sitting, he is said to cross his left leg over the right.

Some Belorussians believe that Leshy has a flat, long face, a long, wedge-shaped beard, one eye, and one backwards leg. The image of Leshy as an old man with a gray beard is widespread. Frequently, Leshy takes on the guise of a family member, friend, or someone familiar to the storyteller, and this trickery may only be exposed upon returning home, when it becomes apparent that the encounter took place in a completely different location. Leshy is also known to assume the appearance of a deceased individual.

Lifestyle

Encounters with Leshy could take place anywhere in the forest, at any time. Leshy might be found in old dry trees (such as fir and willow), in hollows, in stumps, in upturned roots, in fallen logs, in woodland huts, in secret caves, and even underground. People inevitably get lost near Leshy's dwelling. Leshy's abode is protected by dense, impassable thickets and fallen trees which never freeze. Animals and birds are drawn there. Superstition says that forest creatures gather there before their death.

Often, Leshy is depicted as a solitary being, or as one of many diminutive forest spirits (leshy, for distinction.) In beliefs that feature many spirits, only one leshy may inhabit each forest (large forests may be divided into sections, each with its own leshy). In some tales, leshy can gather together, living in families (a leshy's wife is called a leshachikha or a kidnapped maiden, and their children are either their own offspring or also kidnapped children). Leshy homes are covered in animal hides, and guarded by dogs, and they keep livestock; there are stories of leshy leaders and kings; the head of the leshy is referred to as the forest chief, the woodland king, the forest dweller, Musail-les, or the Honorable Leshy. Leshy can move along human roads, but in the forest, they have their own invisible paths that do not coincide with those of humans and are dangerous places to get lost. There was a belief that not all leshy creatures are active throughout the day, but only during certain transitional hours: at night (especially at midnight), at dawn, at noon, or at an undefined "evil hour".

Leshy the god might come into conflict with other, smaller leshy, as well as demons, water spirits, field spirits, and house spirits. Leshy takes care of the forest and protects it. He acts as the shepherd of all woodland creatures, depicted as an old man with a staff in his hand. He herds the animals, ensures their nourishment, and defends them from hunters and fires. Leshy governs the animals under his dominion as his own property. He may gamble them away in a game of cards to another forest spirit, which served as a mystical explanation for mass animal migrations such as squirrels and hares. Leshy is often portrayed as the patron of only one or a few species of wild animals, most commonly bears and wolves (Leshy can manifest as a white wolf - the pack leader).

The origins of individual leshy are unclear, with various beliefs suggesting they may be cursed individuals, children swapped by dark forces, or offspring of a devil and a witch. In folk Christianity, some believed that leshy were either fallen angels or creations of the Devil who were cast down to earth. They may also be seen as descendants of Adam and Eve who were not acknowledged by God, or other individuals cursed by Him.

Relationship with humans

The life of the Russian peasant was intimately intertwined with the forest, upon which their livelihoods hinged. Within the forest, every aspect of agricultural labor unfolded, with slash-and-burn techniques to create fields. Cattle grazed amidst the trees, while wood was harvested for both construction and warmth. People also harvested mushrooms and berries, fished, and extracted tar and charcoal. The forest served as a vital thoroughfare for roads, while also playing host to various pagan rituals. Despite active engagement with the forest and its proximity, it remained an enigmatic and perilous domain. It was regarded as an otherworldly realm, teeming with impure forces and beyond the grasp of human control.

Protecting the forest, Leshy can scatter axes, make trees invulnerable to woodcutters, and divert the shots of hunters. A person who stays overnight in a forest hut without being asked might become a target for Leshy to frighten with mysterious noises, maybe even violence. Making a fire or camping on a trail is ill-advised, especially at the crossroads, since a whole wedding or funeral procession of smaller leshy could run over anyone lingering there.

Hunters

Hunters firmly believed that their hunting success was determined by Leshy, who was responsible for distributing the bounties of the forest to humans. To ensure a fruitful hunt, one could enter into a pact with Leshy (preferably during Easter or on the night of Ivan Kupala) by offering a gift, such as the first Easter egg or bread with salt (mixed with one's own hair or nails), or by making a sacrifice of one's own blood (from a finger or first catch). Another option was to write a contract in blood. The individual made a promise to abide by specific terms, such as refraining from taking more prey than allowed or refraining from hunting on designated days. This agreement must be kept confidential. By fulfilling his end of the bargain, Leshy would guide herds of animals towards the hunter's weapon or lead them into traps, ensuring accurate shots. Any individual who broke the agreement or revealed it would lose the protection of Leshy and may face severe consequences, such as illness or death. Striking a deal with Leshy meant surrendering oneself to his power and, as Christianity became more prevalent, it was often equated with selling one's soul to the Devil. In later beliefs, ending a contract with Leshy required placing a cross under one's heel, burying it in the ground, or shooting an ikon, holy gifts, or a cross with a gun and smearing the weapon with the resulting blood.

Shepherds

In many regions, cattle were commonly grazed in the forest, and in order to protect them from potential attacks and losses by predators, a shepherd would perform a ritual detour (known as a “free leave”) at the beginning of the season, either on Egoriy, or on Nikola days. This involved circling the herd three times while carrying an ikon and other “magical” objects, reciting incantations. It was believed that any mistakes could anger Leshy, who was seen as the source of all misfortunes with the cattle in the forest, and he may seek revenge by harming the animals. Consequently, many individuals opted to negotiate with Leshy and choose a “divine” or “blessed” free leave instead of risking an “unblessed” free leave. This entailed the shepherd performing a ritual detour around the herd and sitting on a fallen birch tree or aspen stump on the same day or the day before, using a magical incantation to summon Leshy and presenting him with a gift such as an Easter egg, bread with salt, or even a couple of cows. The cow that was promised to Leshy would then either die or disappear in the forest during the season. In some traditions, Leshy was not summoned, but instead a present was left for him beneath a birch tree. The agreement with Leshy was made using a specific and secret formula, but no one was ever able to record the exact text. The shepherd made sure to leave a lock and key in the forest as part of the agreement. It was believed that Leshy would unlock it when the cows needed to graze and lock it when they had to return to the village. Once the agreement was in place, it was thought that Leshy or his spouse would take care of the grazing instead of the shepherd. This allowed the shepherd to focus on his own tasks and only have to deal with driving out and corralling the cattle. He could also easily call any cows from the forest by blowing a trumpet. The shepherd had to follow certain rules throughout the season. These included not watching the cattle in the forest, not harming them, not killing any forest animals, not damaging trees, not picking berries (especially black berries) and mushrooms, not swearing, not cutting hair or nails, not wearing his own clothes while grazing, not lending his pipe or batog to others, not touching other people (shaking hands, sharing utensils, bathing or sleeping with a woman), and not looking upon dead people or newborns. It was also forbidden to sell any cattle from the herd, scratch the wool of sheep, or damage any hedges. Breaking these taboos was believed to result in the breaking of the contract and could even lead to the death of the cattle and the shepherd.

Disappearances

Leshy are known for causing people to get lost in the forest, which is why they earned the moniker “guiders off-course.” Those who find themselves lost in the woods are often believed to have fallen under a leshy's spell, enveloped by an invisible force that transports them to an unknown realm. Individuals who unknowingly follow leshy tracks are bound to wander aimlessly, their paths blocked with fallen trees and rivers, making escape even more challenging. Leshy can hide the lost person from prying eyes: people can hear that they are nearby but cannot find them. Leshy can bind the person to the tree in which they live, compelling the traveler to constantly return to it, and manipulate natural signs and landmarks that serve as guides on the path. Leshy can lure a hunter deep into the thicket by pretending to be an elusive or exotic animal. He can also mimic the voice of a friend, a crying child, or a dying person. By taking on the appearance of a familiar or unfamiliar companion, Leshy distracts his victim with conversations or promises of abundant mushroom or berry patches, only to lead them into an impassable place before disappearing. The lost person finds themselves in an unfamiliar place, maybe a different world. When the enchantment dissipates, the individual may discover that they were very close to their usual surroundings the whole time. Leshy can manifest as a familiar person and teasingly remain out of reach, suddenly vanishing, often at the boundary with the civilized world - for example, when crossing a bridge or fence - usually accompanied by laughter.

According to folklore, there are multiple ways to protect oneself from Leshy, whether he is perceived as a malevolent force, one of many forest spirits, or an ancient deity. These methods include reciting prayers, making the sign of the cross, calling upon the name of God, using profanity, or attempting to make Leshy laugh. To end an encounter with Leshy, one must repeat the original words spoken, completing a verbal circle. Other protective measures against Leshy include using salt, fire, a circle made with a sacred object, a linden stick, a coppice, or a mountain ash as talismans. It is also believed that Leshy is afraid of dogs, tricolored cats, and firearms loaded with copper bullets.

In a manner similar to demonic beings, Leshy possesses the power to abduct individuals, regardless of their age or gender. These abductions are shrouded in mystery, with the victims disappearing without a trace. The primary reason behind these abductions is typically tied to a curse, often inflicted by a parent, who sends their child to Leshy as punishment. In the case of a “cursed child” who manages to receive a christening, Leshy bides his time until the child reaches the age of seven before luring them into the depths of the forest. Instead of leaving an empty cradle, Leshy may replace the kidnapped baby with a “changeling” - an inanimate object such as a log or a bundle of straw. Alternatively, Leshy may leave behind his own child, who takes on the appearance of the kidnapped child but in a distorted and grotesque form. These changelings are often characterized by their constant anger, non-stop crying, inability to walk or talk, and lack of intelligence. Eventually, they either vanish, perish, or flee into the forest once they reach a certain age. Those who choose to remain among humans often become sorcerers.

Certain legends portray Leshies as treating their captives with kindness, providing them with sustenance, education, and hidden knowledge, ultimately transforming them into sorcerers and witch doctors. Leshy takes abducted girls as his wives and may even have children with them. However, if a woman gives birth to a child from Leshy and remains in a village, the child mysteriously disappears. Leshy is also known to abduct individuals with the intention of making them his slaves. Often, the abducted individuals become invisible to others, able to see their loved ones and hear their conversations, but unable to reveal themselves or communicate. Other tales suggest that the missing individuals become feral, losing their ability to understand language, wear clothes, and becoming covered in moss and bark, as well as exhibiting aggressive behavior and running away from people. There are also stories in which the “abducted” individuals perish due to exhaustion, starvation, falling into a pit, or becoming stuck in a swamp.

It was believed that one could safeguard themselves from abduction through the use of either Christian or pagan methods. Christians would turn to prayer, crossing themselves, remembering God, and attending prayer services. Pagans, on the other hand, would utter the phrase “dibs on me,” recite incantations, perform the ritual of “turning away,” or attempt to catch up with the abductor within the confines of the forest. When searching for a missing person in the woods, people would use the same “turning away” ritual as they would for finding a lost pet, but with more substantial offerings. These offerings included bread, salt, pancakes, pies, a pot of porridge, or a piece of lard. Family members would call upon a house-spirit for protection against Leshy, communicating with it through the chimney. According to popular belief, a person who had been kidnapped should avoid consuming any food provided by Leshy in order to be able to return home. However, there were other stories where individuals who had eaten Leshy's offerings were able to successfully find their way back, only to discover that the food they had taken had transformed into cones, moss, and other natural objects. If Leshy had made a deal with the lost individual, he might guide them out of the forest or reveal their location to those searching for them. Leshy's reaction to releasing his captives was unpredictable - he could do so with joy and a warning to stay away, in annoyance for being disturbed, or reluctantly trying to keep his victim. There were also instances where Leshy would return long-lost captives as a reward for assistance or when they were no longer needed, or even give a kidnapped girl in marriage to others. Other ways to summon Leshy include not praying at night and thinking about him before bed, sitting on a pine stump and beckoning three times, closing the door with one's left hand before entering the forest, digging up an anthill with one's left foot, cutting the top of a birch tree with one's left hand, and shouting “U-u-u!” Another method is to remove a cross at night in the forest, bury it in the ground, and say, “Lord of forests, I have a request for you!”

On Christmas Eve, it was a common practice to engage in fortune-telling rituals in the forest, often at a crossroads and during the night. The fortune-tellers would create three circles or use the skin of an animal as a boundary, placing a magical object such as a poker within. Sitting on the skin, they would also place a piece of bread and sometimes other objects beside them, and then ask Leshy for insight into the upcoming year. The response would come in the form of various forest sounds, which the fortune-tellers would interpret. It was believed that Leshy would only answer three questions and failure to follow the ritual could result in severe consequences. It was also believed that on Maundy Thursday, one could seek out an old birch tree in the forest, sit upon it, and call upon Leshy (“Forest King, father to all animals, appear here!”) to reveal the future. Additionally, it was said that Leshy could foretell the fate of anyone who encountered him. In certain regions, the appearance of Leshy was seen as a sign of impending trouble.

In ancient Russian tales, the wife of Leshy is portrayed as a powerful figure in the forest, known for her terrifying cries, luring wanderers off course, and snatching children and livestock. These feminine counterparts also share similar characteristics with Leshy, such as stealing unblessed food, making deals with shepherds to graze their livestock, and showing appreciation to those who aid her. In Ukrainian folklore, there is a tale of a man who marries a forest spirit girl after baptizing her and stealing her clothes while she was bathing.

In northern folklore, the female equivalent of Leshy bears a striking resemblance to a mermaid, known as the “free old woman” or “mistress” of the tundra and bogs. She is said to possess the traits of a cursed girl who perished in the forest. This feminine counterpart of Leshy is often seen as a distinct character, being mostly independent from the original image of her.

In popular culture

The Wood Demon (Leshy) 1889 by Anton Chekov is both named after and features a character who is nicknamed after Leshy due to his devotion to the forests'.
Leshy is used as a prototype for the main character of Vladimir Vysotsky's song "Lukomorye", which depicts Leshy as an alcoholic who spends all his money on drinking and is abusive to his wife.
In 's comic-book Łauma the main protagonist is guarded by the Yotvingians' version of Leshy, the Lauma. They also appear on the cover.
The name "Leshy" can designate a type of ghillie suit used by military personnel for camouflage in forests and grassy fields.
The character "Leshy" appears as the guardian of the forest in Mavka, the highest-grossing Ukrainian film based on the 1918 play The Forest Song by poet Lesya Ukrainka
In A.B. Poranek's 2024 young adult novel 'Where the Dark Stands Still,' a prominent character named 'Leshy' is portrayed as a leshy."

Names and etymology

Lifestyle

Relationship with humans

Hunters

Shepherds

Disappearances

In popular culture

See also

Notes

References

External links