Throughout Germany, Austria and Switzerland Berched/Percht is the old hag with the distaff who lives in the mountains. She has always been interested in the needs of children. Like Berfana, she leaves gifts for them at Christmas, but she is also the one to whom the souls of miscarried or unbaptized children go. She rides upon the winds of Perchtentag aka 12th night (6 January) gathering up their souls as she goes. In some
alpine districts it is customary to leave food on the roof for her. As a young woman she heralds the growing season, but she also acts as a punisher of those who do not tend their yards, fields or spinning, visiting plagues on those who are disorderly or neglectful. Her appearance as a death omen occurs when she comes as a White Lady. Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo was said to
have been presaged by such an appearance. Her entourage
are the Perchten (Betchten); Christians slanderously claim
that the Devil hides among them to quietly capture a victim.
