Also called Skogsra, Skogsfru, Huldra (Norwegian cousin), Rå.
The tale
The skogsrå is the warden of the woods in Swedish folk belief. She appears to hunters and charcoal burners as a lovely woman, but from behind she is hollow like a rotten stump or has a tail. She could give luck in hunting to a man who pleased her, or lead astray those who offended her, and men who took her as a lover were said to waste away. Charcoal burners told of her warming herself at their kilns.
When they are met
- when entering the forest
- before hunting or foraging
- by a campfire at night
Staying on their good side
- folk tradition: a little of your food left on a stone
- courtesy spoken to the forest
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Greet the forest when you enter and thank it when you leave.
- Take only what you need when foraging.
- The tales warn not to follow strangers deep into the woods; tell someone where you are walking.
What their tales teach
- respect for woodland
- safe foraging
- forest lore
Symbols
- a hollow back like a rotten tree
- a fox's or cow's tail
- a charcoal kiln
- a beautiful woman in the woods
Sources
- John Lindow, Swedish Legends and Folk Beliefs
- Kvideland and Sehmsdorf, Scandinavian Folk Belief and Legend
More Norse folklore
- Huldra The hidden woman of the forest
- Nisse The little old man of the farm
- Draugr The restless dead of the sagas
- Trolls The old dwellers in mountain and stone
- Valkyries The choosers of the slain
- Fossegrim The fiddler beneath the waterfall
- Nøkken The fiddler in the still water
- Mara The spirit who rides sleepers