[1] A similar deity called Svyatibor (Svyatobor, Svyatibog) is thought to have been revered by both the Eastern and Western Slavs as the divine arbiter of woodland realms, and/or the sovereign ruler over other diminutive forest spirits.

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.

[17] 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.)

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.

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.

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.

In the northern regions of Russia, forest-spirit type Leshy were categorized into different species based on their size, including those that acted as guardians of the forest, those that resembled mushrooms, and those that were akin to mosses.

In this way, Leshy asserts his superiority over humans, expressing dissatisfaction, striving to scare, jest, and lead astray with false sounds.

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.

Leshy enjoy hanging and swaying on tree branches, which is why in certain places they are called the “hangers down.” They frequently sit on stumps, whittling wood.

He was often contrasted, however, with “real demons”: his goal was not to harm humans for no reason, but to punish improper behavior in the forest or breaking societal rules.

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.

[26] 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.

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.

Leshy can “tie” the cattle to a tree, preventing them from moving and causing them to starve, or even “lock” or “hide” the animal in another realm, making it seem as though it had disappeared.

In order to locate the missing animals, peasants not only conducted regular searches, but also performed a ritual known as “turning away.” This involved going to a crossroads in the forest, often with the help of a knowledgeable person, and attempting to make a deal with Leshy.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

[17] In order to break free from the spells of Leshy, an individual must go through a peculiar ritual of undressing completely and putting on their clothes in a non-traditional manner: inside out, backwards, switching shoes, and even flipping insoles.

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.

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.

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.

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.

There are also stories in which Leshy is portrayed as a giant, riding on humans transformed into horses, carrying a person on his back, stealing food and supplies from people, including grain and nails.

[33] 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.