Feb 26, 2017
First hailstorm of the year brings some thoughts about the lore of hailstones and the Haagel rune.
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First hailstorm of the year brings some thoughts about the lore of hailstones and the Haagel rune.
Some of the amazing Deitsch historical heirlooms in the Mercer Museum and Fonthill Castle, Doylestown, PA.
A week after two Reading brothers allegedly swiped 11 volumes of The Passing Scene from Reading Public Library, city police took possession of the
This recovery is actually of some importance. The author of these books was my sixth grade teacher, who was a great influence on my life. He instilled in me a love for the history and wonders of Berks County, and some of the lore that has become part of Urglaawe is the result (wholly or partially) of things we discussed in class. I remember him leading a journey around the entire county to visit historic, sacred, and mythological sites. Throughout the course of the school year, each student had to construct a huge notebook consisting of things we learned.
These "The Passing Scene" books are valuable to the history of Berks and, in large part, of the Deitsch, too.
How steins (or other vessels of sacred libation) are consecrated or replaced in the Urglaawe rite.
Urglaawe Resources
Hail! The best list of Urglaawe resources (books, videos, related links, etc.) is on Distelfink Sippschaft's site: http://site.distelfink.org/Resources.html The "Hollerbeer Haven" journals, which started in the Braucherei guild and later became the journal of Urglaawe, Braucherei, Hexerei, and Deitsch Wisdom, are all available as free .PDF downloads there on the site. We have very active Facebook group discussions: Main Urglaawe group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Urglaawe/ Guilds of Braucherei in the Urglaawe Context: Fiber Arts: https://www.facebook.com/groups/597072713743729/ Blanzeheilkunscht (Herbalism): https://www.facebook.com/groups/552874814839224/ Artisans: https://www.facebook.com/groups/744129172323762/ Musicians: https://www.facebook.com/groups/700911096662849/ Customs: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500569153532481/ Macht's immer besser!
Hollerbeer Haven is a Journal of Urglaawe, Braucherei, and Deitsch Wisdom.
Die Aadacht zu der Waahra
Ich heil Dich, Waahra!
Verwesern vum alles, wu kluuch un gerecht iss.
Du schtellscht unsere Seele an die Schpuhr
vun der Waahrheit un der Rechtschaffeheit.
Mir wilkumme Dich wie en glensendi Fiehrerin.
Harich mol heit de Ren un Eddie ihre Eed.
Meege ihre Wadde Dich verehre.
Meege unsere Aagschtalt Dei Naame belowe.
Meege mir immer in der Waahrheit laafe --
verbunne eenzich darrich ihre bschwores Ehrewatt.
Es watt wohluffe Zeite,
Doch aa watt's schweri Zeite.
Fiehr sie darrich die Farricht.
Meege sie immer Schutz un Fiehrung
unnich dei Schtaab finne.
Erleicht ihre Wadde,
hauch Lewe in die Vorsetz,
die sie daer Daag auslege.
Meege sie allzeit ken Ursach hawwe,
fer vor Dir in der Schaam zu schteh.
Schtatts meege sie immer zu Dir un zu sich
eensichscht brechter Ruhm bringe.
Translation of the Deitsch:
Devotional to Var
I hail You, Var,
Guardian of all that is wise and just.
You set our souls gently yet firmly
on the path of truth and integrity.
We welcome you as a shining guide.
Hear today the oaths of Ren and Eddie
May their words honor You.
May their actions praise Your name.
May they always walk in truth,
bound only by their sworn word.
There will be times of joy
And there will be times of difficulty.
Guide them through the fear.
May they always find shelter and guidance
beneath Your staff.
Illuminate their words,
breathe life into the vows
they make this day.
May they never have cause
to stand before You in shame;
instead, may they always bring to You
and to themselves bright fame.
-----------------
Inspired by Galina Krasskova's devotional to Var: Exploring the Northern Tradition, p. 74. Franklin Lakes, NJ: New Page Books, 2005.
Twelve Nights of the Wonnetdanz
Every now and again, I come across short references that help to fill in some gaps in the understanding of our traditional practices. One such gap is the time between Walpurgisnacht and the arrival of the Reifries (Frost Giants) thirteen days later. I think we finally have an answer. On our current calendar, Walpurgisnacht falls on the night of April 30. However, since Urglaawe days begin at sundown, that night is actually 1. Wonnet (May 1) on the Urglaawe calendar. Deitsch tradition is that the Witches' Dances (Urglaawe: "die Wonnetdanz," which translates to the "the dances of joy") take place at a variety of locations across the Deitscherei. Primary among these sites is Hexenkopf, which is located in Williams Township in Northampton County, but there are other sites as well. In Germany, similar traditions relate to the Brocken, also known as Blocksberg, in the Harz Mountains. While I cannot speak to the exact meaning of the traditions at the Brocken, the impetus for the celebration in Deitsch culture is the return of Holle to the Hatzholz (also known as Mannheim, Midgard, or the physical realm). Hexenkopf is said to be Her home in this land. Her return brings order to the land and begins the growing season. Tradition also holds that the Frost Giants become aware of Holle's return and attempt to destroy the order by freezing the land. Different Braucherei guilds have variations of this story, but the most cohesive version states that the first Frost Giant, Dreizehdax, arrives on the night of May 12 into May 13, which is actually 13. Wonnet on the Urglaawe calendar. Dreizehdax's efforts are thwarted by Dunner, and the Frost Giant is forced to retreat. On the next night (May 13 into May 14), another Frost Giant, Vatzehvedder, makes his attempt. On that night, Dunner provides instruction to all of the Butzemenner (activated scarecrows) across the countryside in how to stop the Frost Giant. Vatzehvedder is also forced to retreat. On the third night (May 14 into May 15), Fuffzehfux makes his attempt and is beaten back by the combined efforts of the Butzemenner. After the pass of Fuffzehfux, it is considered safe to plant all crops outdoors. I have often wondered about a few things regarding the variations of this story. For starters, there are so many locations where Witches' Dances and Wonnetdanz were said to take place. Also, I wondered about the gap between the celebration of 1. Wonnet and the battle with Dreizehdax on 13. Wonnet. Both situations can be explained by a small reference on p. 1619 of Volume IV of Grimm'sTeutonic Mythology: "The Witches' Excursion takes place on the first night in May"... "They ride up Blocksberg on the first of May, and in 12 days must dance the snow away; then Spring begins." This implies that the Wonnetdanz is a multiple night occasion, perhaps symbolically beginning in the lowlands and working its way up the hills into the mountains. In our case, it would begin in places like Hexefeld near Riemeschteddel in the lowlands, up through Hexebaerrick in Berks County, and ending at Hexenkopf. Although many Urglaawer have already been observing the Wonnetdanz for several days after Walpurgisnacht, the reference in Teutonic Mythology provides some insight as to the likely cause of the delay between the restoration of order to the land and the Frost Giants' efforts to undo Holle's work. Henceforth, Distelfink Sippschaft will recognize the Wonnetdanz will be a twelve-night celebration in a manner similar to the Yuulzeit. Macht's immer besser!