A huntsman and his hounds allegedly seen riding across ancient skies, variously known as the Hounds of Hell, the Yeth Hounds, the Gabriel Hounds, the Seven Whistlers, and the Irish Hounds. Led in Norse mythology by Odin (and his Valkyries) and by Cthonic Annwn in Celtic mythology.
Originally a deity of primitive hunting peoples, the Wild Hunt came to represent the destructive power of nature and death itself. The Nordic Wild Hunt carried off the souls of the dead. Shamans intervened with these powwers in their healing work.
In Christian times the Wild Hunt carried off unbelievers and unbaptised children