The God Pan

In the folk traditions of modern Greece, Callicantzari is the name given to the beings we no from ancient myth as satyrs. These beings are still said to inhabit the upland slopes of forested mountains. Some, such as the Irish leprechauns, can be quite small while other Callicantzari are giant in stature but have the contorted features of monstrous goats. The latter kind lived underground and were occupied with trying to undermine the world tree Yggdrasil which supports the universe. Every year towards Christmas and during the 12 intercalary days between the old and new year they are free to roam about, but while they are absent, the world tree grows sufficiently to nullify their damage. During their days of freedom, they whirl about the earth at night, creating chaos, carrying off women, dancing with strangers, but any home from which fire can be seen is safe from their depredations. On the island of Chios, it is believed that any child born during the 12 days of Christmas may become a Callicantzaros (singular) and has to be branded upon the heel to avoid this occurrence.