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Leshy- The Demon of the Forest

Forests are dark places, especially at night when it is easier to get lost in their rugged paths. And there, among the trees, a being is hidden, who is neither good nor evil, but who is anxiously waiting for the lost travelers so he can have fun with them.

Leshy is a spirit or demon of the forest in Slavic mythology, known as the master and protector of the trees and animals.  It can turn into a human, bear, wolf, bird, tree, or plant, and while it is said to cause no harm to humans, it has been known to kill those who walk in the forest. When he takes a human form, he appears as an elderly peasant with long green hair, his beard is made of plants and grass, and he always wears his clothes backward. His pale skin which is as rough as tree bark contrasts with his bright green eyes, and his blue blood makes his cheeks have a bluish hue. Very few people have seen him, but they have heard him whistle when the wind blows or laugh devilishly through the trees to scare travelers and women, whom he frequently kidnaps. He also uses his supernatural power to trick humans into getting lost through the vegetation. It is believed that when it is in the center of the forest it appears as a tree as big as a mountain, but when he moves away, he prefers to go unnoticed hiding from people by reducing his size to blend in with the plants, and leaves of the trees, trees, and even with an elf.

When Leshy walks through the forest, the entire wooded area roars, and the trees tremble. At night he sleeps in some abandoned wooden cabin. But if by any chance a traveler or hunter has already taken refuge there, then he tries to get him out by shaking the hut with such force that the door and roof break, the trees around him collapse, and a terrible howl is heard up to the nearest towns. If despite all this the unwanted guest does not leave, then the next day he gets lost in the woods until he dies of exhaustion trying to return home, or gets drowned in some dark swamp. It is said that they are also gamblers and that through a game of cards they win or lose animals or resources of the forest. In 1843 a huge number of squirrels appeared in certain districts of Russia, and the local peasants pointed out that this was because a Leshy had bet the squirrels on his demon brother, and now the property he had lost was on its way to his new master.

Since the forest is the source of sustenance for hunters, woodcutters, peasants, and their families, their success largely depends on how they treat this capricious spirit, not forgetting that it can be both protective and vengeful. Therefore, to please him and keep themselves safe, they must offer him a piece of bread sprinkled with salt, as well as their first prey of the day, and place both under a tree.  Afterward, they ask for permission before hunting or gathering food. Once they are in his territory, they do not damage plants, do not cut down trees, do not make noise, and do not whistle. Otherwise, as revenge, he will send them bad luck, and diseases, and in the worst case, he will even cause death. Regarding this, it is said that the person who returns sick from the forest, in order to be cured, must take a piece of bread with salt, take it back to the forest and leave it under a tree.  Then, he returns home with the firm conviction that he has left his illness behind.

Be very careful if walking through the woods you suddenly get lost, if you meet someone you know who delights you with his cordial conversation, if you hear a baby crying, or a loud laugh. Under those circumstances, the safest thing for you is to make the sign of the cross, put your clothes on backward, and continue on your way without stopping because if you don’t you could fall into a swampy lake where you won’t be able to get out or end up in a cave where this creature will tickle you to death.

AUTHOR:  SLAVIC FOLKLORE

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