The most reliable account of the táltos is given by Roman Catholic priestArnold Ipolyi in his collection of folk beliefs, Magyar mitológia . A táltos would be chosen by the gods or spirits before birth or during childhood. People with teeth at birth, a sixth finger or other additional bones, or with a caul were also often considered to be chosen. If the extra bone broke or was stolen before the táltos turned 7, its abilities would be lost. Being a táltos could not be learned or taught; it could only happen through supernatural calling. Some beliefs hold that a táltos would have to be breastfed until it turned 7, which would grant it immense physical strength. The most important ability of a táltos is a meditation or spiritual trance called "révülés" ; in this state, he could heal wounds and sickness or learn hidden truths by "sending their soul among the stars". The táltos was chosen by gods or spirits for a specific calling in life and had the duty to communicate with the entire Hungarian nation in a time of danger, to warn against invading armies or an impending cultural collapse.
Pagans
According to general consensus, the táltos were considered as part of pagan religion. There is evidence, though, that the táltos existed until the Habsburg era, when this tradition came to an end. The painted ceiling of the church of Székelyderzsi had a figure with six fingers; this was later renovated, "correcting" the picture to five fingers. Post-Christianism Jesus Christ would sometimes be referred to as the égi táltos.
The name "Táltos" is of unknown origin, but most probably correlating to "tált", which is to "open wide"; i.e. they "opened themselves to the world." Other theories state it comes from Uralictaitaa meaning "to know, understand" or from the derivative of Turkishtalt meaning "unconsciousness".
Göncöl and Kampó
In Hungarian folk talestáltos are common, such as Göncöl and Kampó. Kampó was said to have had an "ice body" and was short with thick legs. He lived in Temesvár, ate lunch in Buda at the same table as King Matthias and was always poorly dressed. King Matthias was asked several times why a pauper was eating at the same table as the king, but King Matthias insisted on this tradition. When the Turkish army attacked the Kingdom of Hungary, Kampó reportedly spilled fire from his mouth and he "fought with his iced body against Turkish metal", redeeming a "moonlike" horse of King Matthias from the Turks. Göncöl, on the other hand, had tremendous knowledge. He spoke with animals, understood the meanings of the stars, and invented the horse-coach. He was said to have a coach which was pulled by multiple horses that reportedly had its perch broken and bent. His death was not witnessed, but instead it was said that he simply "disappeared into the stars". The "coach of Göncöl" is visible in the night sky as Ursa Major, where the tail of the bear is the perch of the coach.
The ''"táltos horse"''
The táltos horse or steed is the mount of the táltos, and also a stock character in Hungarian folk tales. The táltos steed would typically appear at first to the protagonist disguised as an old and ugly jade. If it is treated well, it would ask the hero to feed it hot cinders, whereupon its transform into a steed with golden coat, golden saddles and five or six legs. In this form it could fly with the protagonist on its back; its speed is mandatorily described as "faster than a bird", "faster than wind", and finally "faster than thought". According to some experts, the táltos horse is a symbol of the drum of the táltos. They heated it over fire to make it suitable to play and used the drum to meditate.
