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a host of the dead and comparable to Vedic Rudra, god of the roaring storm, usually portrayed as a fierce, destructive deity.

Similarly the noisy jangle of sleigh bells fills the air as Santa's entourage flies through the night, though the mission is more benign.

- God of the Wild Hunt or Furious Host

The god Herne is seen as an aspect of Cernunnos, a Celtic Horned god. In England's Berkshire region, there's a story behind the legend:

Local folklore has it that Herne was employed by King Richard II as a huntsman; others jealous of him, falsely accused him of poaching on King Richard's land. Charged with treason, Herne became an outcast and finally, in despair, he hung himself from a tree. In Norse mythology, Odin also hung from a tree. It is said that each night Herne rides again, heading a spectral hunt and chasing game in Windsor Forest.

Mortals may get swept up by the Wild Hunt, often taken away by Herne's furious host and destined to ride with him for eternity. Seen as a harbinger of ill omen particularly to the royal family, according to legend, Herne appears in Windsor Forest only when needed, such as in times of national crisis.

Belief in the Wild Hunt spread over northern Europe; though it appears in spring or chill of autumn, it most often appears during Yule - the twelve day pagan midwinter feast, a time of supernatural visitation in Germanic folklore.

The leader of the Wild Hunt is thought to have originally been Odin. The Norse god was said to prefer winter's fierce winds in which to hunt - peasants took care to leave the last sheaf of grain to this predecessor of Father Christmas so he could feed his steed, Sleipnir.

When it comes to Sleipnir's impact on shaping modern holiday traditions, there is no doubt that Odin's steed has had a tremendous influence ... and that influence has helped shape both the Christian (various religious denominations) and secular celebration of Christmas or Yuletide across the world - and the nightmare before, be it All Soul's Day, Samhain or Halloween.

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