The Forest Spirits and Wild Hunt

The Vosges forests harbor beings unknown to urban France. These ancient woods, where some trees predate Charlemagne, maintain their own laws and their own inhabitants.

The Waldgeister (Forest Spirits)

Multiple species of forest spirits inhabit the Vosges:

The Holderbaum People: Tiny beings living in elder trees (Holunder in German). No bigger than a thumb, they protect households that respect their trees. Cutting an elder without permission brings seven years of misfortune. But elder wood taken with proper ritual—asking thrice, leaving bread and salt, taking only deadwood—becomes powerful protection against lightning and evil spirits.

The Moosweiblein (Moss Wives): Ancient women covered in moss and lichen who know every medicinal plant in the forest. They occasionally trade knowledge for kindness—helping lost children, teaching herb lore to respectful gatherers. But they punish greed severely. Those who take more than they need find themselves lost in familiar forests, walking in circles until they abandon their excess harvest.

The Glasmännlein (Glass Men): Mysterious beings associated with the region's traditional glassmaking. Transparent except in moonlight, they guide glassblowers to sand deposits and protect kilns from cracking. Master glassmakers leave the first piece from each batch in the forest as payment. Some antique Alsatian glass pieces contain swirls and bubbles that form faces—supposedly Glasmännlein who chose to remain in particularly fine work.

The Alsatian Wild Hunt

The Wild Hunt in Alsace-Lorraine combines Germanic and French traditions into something uniquely terrifying. Led by various figures depending on location—Herrlechert, Muetisheer, or La Mesnie Hellequin—the Hunt rides during the Twelve Nights between Christmas and Epiphany.

The Alsatian Hunt includes unique elements: - The Ankereule (Anchor Owl): A massive owl that flies ahead, its cry freezing blood - Unbaptized children running alongside, trying to grab living children to join them - The Glutstolle (Ember Woman): A burning figure who drops coals that never cool, marking houses for misfortune

Protection requires specific actions: - Crossroads must be avoided (the Hunt pauses there to divide its spoils) - Bread marked with crosses placed on windowsills - Shoes left pointing toward the door (so spirits think you've already left) - Complete silence if the Hunt passes overhead (speaking draws their attention)

Modern sightings continue, often explained as military helicopters from nearby bases. But witnesses describe sounds no helicopter makes: hunting horns, baying hounds, and worst of all, the laughter of the riders—joy terrible in its inhumanity.