Perchta, A Yuletide Goddess Perchta is an Alpine goddess most likely of Celtic origin. She is the Queen of the Ghost Children (Heimchen) and her retinue consists of her many Perchten ranging from Krampus like beings to bird headed women, even including magical shimmering beings with grand headdresses. Her Heimchen ride ibex and she is often depicted horned and/or with a goose foot. She is a spinning goddess and enforces taboos around spinning and the Yuletide. She is also shown with an Iron Nose when in her crone form while in her shining maiden form she is beautiful. She brings snow as she walks across the Alps, and guides the fertility with her plow. She was Christianized as Saint Notburga, one of whose versions is depicted with many children in her lap. Or alternatively as a Yule Demon known as the Christmas Belly Slitter. She is sometimes considered the consort of Krampus or Berchtold, a Bear god. Perchta is also a Yuletide Gift Giver along with her Heimchen, during they are given a bowl of milk.-TLK