In the ancient spirituality of the Slavs, we could consider the principle of balance as one of the most fundamental. So that the mountains and underground, forests and meadows are not dominated only by wild beasts, there are also benevolent beings to whom the gods entrusted power over these realms, including even control over the natural elements themselves. These were the local lords and ladies of the enchanted nature.
A being that often appeared as an grandmother with a bundle of sticks on her back was known as MAMUNA, but more commonly as FOREST GRANDMOTHER. In the imagination of the Slavs, she was the local lady of the forests and meadows. Similarly, FOREST GRANDPA, most frequently known as LESOVIK, also called Boruta, Gorianin, or Krakonoš, was considered the local lord of the forest.
Lesovik is a grandfather wrapped in a green or brown cloak with a hat on his head. From his beard and mustache, twigs and leaves often protrude. He usually leans on a carved staff, which symbolizes his magical power.
KRAKONOSH, originally known as Rybrcoula, the lord of the mountains and forests of the Czech Krkonoshe, is, unlike the typical depiction of Lesovik as an old man, portrayed more as a robust, bearded man, a mountaineer, almost a giant, but still dressed in a cloak with a hat and a magical staff.
Not only in the traditions of our ancestors but also by people passing through unknown forests, most often shepherds, brought offerings to the forest spirits in the form of bread and salt. Hunters, in turn, honored the spirits of the forests with a piece of the game they caught or a bit of blood, into which a tree twig was dipped. This custom has been preserved among hunters to this day.
In their essence, forest spirits like Mamuna and Lesovik, as well as in the form of Krakonoš, are benevolent towards people, but their attitude is mainly influenced by the behavior of humans themselves. Although these are local beings entrusted with the care of the surrounding forests and meadows, they are endowed with great magical power. They can transform into any animal or tree and also have power over the natural elements and weather. They even have power over life and death, meaning they can heal various ailments but they also know how to bring them on.
They do not like noise, especially whistling in the forest. They often punish people for it in a funny way. Much more ruthlessly, they can punish poachers and wood thieves, especially those who do not respect the forest. On the other hand, the local lords of the forest are helpful to people in need and those who have suffered injustice and wrongs. The lost, who show respect and ask for their help, are easily guided back to the right path. A request for help could be left on a piece of bark.
In Slavic mythology, there are also counterparts to Mamuna and Lesovik in the form of forest witches or wizards, found deep in dark forests in gingerbread houses or huts on chicken legs. The most famous of them is the windy Baba Yaga.
Svetogor and his wife Magura are considered the rulers of the mountains, forests, and meadows, and it can be said that they are the ones who divided their rule between the local lords and ladies of the mountains, forests and meadows.
