Nature Spirits
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Kodama
The Kodama are yokai from Japanese myth. They’re described as tree spirits similar to the Dryads of Greek myth. They embody specific trees and act as their “personality.” Kodama may help people if given offerings. Trees with Kodama are marked with shimenawa ropes, so they aren’t cut down. Cutting down a Kodama tree is thought to bring misfortune. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Jembalang Tanah/Jin Tanah
The Jembalang Tanah is a form of nature spirit from Malaysian myth. They’re considered dangerous and can cause epidemics and natural disasters. They can be forced to comply with agreements like demons. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Spirits and Ghosts in World Mythology. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Dagwanoenyent/Dagwano’eñ’iěn/Hatdedases/Flying Head
The Dagwanoenyent are nature spirits from the myths of the Seneca Native Americans. They are flying creatures that personify cyclones and whirlwinds. They’re known to have insatiable appetites and will even eat rocks when hungry enough. The crunching of these rocks can be heard for miles. Sometimes the Dagwanoenyent are depicted as a singular witch resembling an old woman. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Xtabay
The Xyabay is a form of Nature Spirit from Mayan myth. They resemble beautiful women with bright red skin. They live in caves and forests and were often consorts to minor deities. They were known to sing to men offering to bear a child. If he accepted, he would need to light incense and pray to Kanank’ax. This prayer would ensure seeing more Xtabay, and failing to do so would guarantee the opposite. The location where the human and Xtabay conceived would become barren and have a boulder there. Citations: Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore. United States, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2016.
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Xan
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Raiju
The Raiju is a Japanese Yokai. They are the companions of the god Raijin. Its name means “thunder animal” or “thunder beast.” This creature of lightning resembles a cat, badger, ball of fire, ball of lightning, monkey, raccoon, dog, weasel, white and blue wolf, or wolf made of lightning with a cry like thunder. They attack only during thunderstorms and are otherwise harmless. They may fall asleep in a person’s belly button, which kills the person when the god Raiden throws lightning bolts to wake the Raiju up. They become agitated in storms and jump from tree to tree. Lightning strikes on trees or houses are said to be Raiju claw…
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Ao Bozu
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Leshy/Lechies (plural)/Leshouikha (male)/Lešak/Leshak/Leshii/Leshiy/Lesiy/Lesní Mužik/Lesnik/Lesny Mužik/Lesny Ded/Lesovij/Lesovik/Lesovy/Lesun/Lešy/Leszi/Leszy
The Leshy is a creature from Slavic myth. They have been classified as nature spirits and old gods and were named as demons in the Dictionaire Infernale. The name Leshy translates to “forest.” They were often compared to Satyrs having goat ears, beards, and horns. They live in forests and are known to run through their woodland homes. They can grow to the height of tall trees or shrink themselves down to the size of a blade of grass. They are thought to have a cry like a Banshee and can imitate voices to lure humans to their cave homes. When they lure in humans, the Leshy will tickle them…
