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Showing posts with label Reifkeenich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reifkeenich. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

The Reifries (Frost Giants) Attack


This piece of lore is very similar to the story related in 2017 about King Frost and His Armies., which described the Frost Giants' attack that we observe in May. This version is about the attack we observe in November and provides information from the perspective of the Reifries themselves. This is still a draft because some information is incomplete, but there is information in the text that is important to current Urglaawe community work.

King Frost learned that Holle had departed from Mannheem (where we live and keep our stuff) onto the Wild Hunt, thereby leaving the Hatzholz (the whole of the physical realm) vulnerable. He called to Dreizehdax (13 Badger) and ordered him to take his troops from the Northern Leaves to Mannheem, being sure to avoid Hohegegend and Himmelgegend. Once there, he was to seize control of the land.

Dreizehdax readied his troops and began the journey. He chose to trek from the Naddbledder (Northern Leaves of the World Tree) into the Weschtbledder (Western Leaves). He would then ride the Weschtbledder as they swept across the Hatzholz, and, once inside the Hatzholz, the army would make its way to Mannheem.

The next day, King Frost considered the strength of the deities in Mannheim, and he decided to send a second army. He called to Vatzehvedder (14 Quill (very, very dialectic/semantic reference to a porcupine) and ordered her to go to Mannheem to support Dreizehdax. Vatzehvedder chose to follow the same route that Dreizehdax had used.

[Note: The details of the next section were inconsistently reported, and I did not include them in this draft for clarity's sake]

As Dreizehdax wended his way through the Weschtbledder, the inhabitants noticed them. Word quickly spread of the destructive army's invasion of the realm. In the Weschtbledder dwell many types of beings, and each type formed its own army of warriors. By this time, news of Vatzehvedder's invasion was also spreading. The Weschtbledder warriors decided to split up, with half going toward Dreizehdax and the other half confronting Vatzehvedder.

Dreizehdax was well ahead of the first half of the warriors. However, his army had cut a swath of ice through the realm, which made it easier for the warriors to make some gains. Vatzehvedder was following Dreizehdax's ice trail, but the second half of the warriors was now in her route. She halted her army, and sent the fastest courier back to the Naddbledder to inform King Frost that she needed assistance.

King Frost was furious when he heard the news. He called to Fuffzehfux (15 Fox) to take a larger army into the Weschtbledder to assist Vatzehvedder in destroying the realm's warriors. "They have earned their place among the Verfrore [the Verfrore ("Frozen") are the souls that have been removed from the life, death, rebirth cycle; they are kept in a section of the Naddbledder, where the Frost Giants sap energy from them].

Fuffzehfux decided to use a different route. He would go from the Naddbledder just deep enough into the Weschtbledder to be able to circumvent Hohegegend, but then he would cross to the trunk near the Himmelgegend. On the trunk he could move faster than on the branches, but he would jump back into the Weschtbledder before the Elwe (Elves) would know his army was near their realm.

That night was the fourth since Dreizehdax had left the Naddbledder. He continued forth unchallenged, but the first half of the Weschtbledder warriors was in pursuit.

Vatzehvedder was awaiting word that Fufzehfux had entered the Weschtbledder. She was expecting the second half of the Weschtbledder warriors to attack on the fifth day.

Fuffzehfux's journey through the Naddbledder was long, so he kept his troops moving night and day. Finally he entered the Weschtbledder and quickly made his way to the trunk of the tree.

As he drew nearer to the Himmelgegend, he sensed danger from the Elves, and he ordered his army to cross back into the Weschtbledder. Sure enough, the Elves' arrows pierced the backs of several of his soldiers. Giants are hard to kill, though, and no one was lost.

Fuffzehfux progressed deeper into the Weschtbledder, taking its inhabitants by surprise. His army destroyed anything within reach: homes, temples, and the very structure of the branches themselves. His soldiers set unfortunate captives into an icy sleep and took them along on their rampage.

When the Weschtbledder warriors became aware of the new army creating mayhem in the heartland of their realm, they became unsure of what to do. The second half of warriors decided to defend their homes, so they ended their blockade of Vatzehvedder's army. The first half, though, continued in pursuit of Dreizehdax.

For the next three days, Dreizehdax continued forward. Vatzehvedder was able to move unimpeded in the trail left by Dreizehdax, and Fuffzehfux continued to wreak havoc on the inhabitants of the Weschtbledder. The warriors who had returned home were no challenge, and they were frozen and taken by couriers back to the Naddbledder.

For the next three days, Dreizehdax continued forward. Vatzehvedder was able to move unimpeded in the trail left by Dreizehdax, and Fuffzehfux continued to wreak havoc on the inhabitants of the Weschtbledder. The warriors who had returned home were no challenge, and they were frozen and taken by couriers back to the Naddbledder.

On the eight day after Dreizehdax had left the Naddbledder, an Elf named Schlenkschwingern ("Sling-swinger" or "Sling-wielder") arrived in Mannheem with news of the impending invasion. Of the gods, she found only Ewicher Yeeger at home on his mountain, taking practice shots with his bow and arrow. Ewicher Yeeger was concerned. He instructed his loyal humans to harvest whatever plants they could from the fields and to prepare their homes for ice. He extended his power so far that he grew to over ten times his normal size. He then walked out of Mannheem and into the Hatzholz. He collected dust, rock, sand, and other materials and built a three giant barriers on the tree trunk by the Hatzholz threshold. He placed seven stars along the border, which heated the rock and turned it to a reflective glass. the light passed through the three glassy barriers, it became magnified and caused a bright streak that was visible throughout all of the Hatzholz.

On the eleventh day after Dreizehdax had left the Naddbledder, Ewicher Yeeger assumed his normal appearance. He ordered the humans to go into their homes. He then told the remaining plants that they were in danger of being taken as captives of the Frost Giants, but he had a solution. He got onto his horse, Blokgaul ("Plague Horse") and enlarged it along with himself. He rode it in a large oval along the Blobarrick ("Blue Mountain") until a strong, yet stable whirlwind formed. He then called to the spirits of the creeks and ponds on the mountain to send their water into the whirlwind. As they did so, he breathed his cold breath into the whirlwind.

As the water converged with Ewicher Yeeger's breath inside the whirlwind, a mist began to form that covered the mountain and began to expand for many miles into the countryside. Ewicher Yeeger continued to breath on the mist, causing it to freeze.

The frost settled onto the remaining tender plants, killing their physical forms and setting their spirits free. He then instructed his humans to make noises with whatever tools they had. As the noise arose from their barns and their homes, Ewicher Yeeger waved his mighty hands, causing a cosmic wind to carry the din throughout the tree. The noise caught the attention of some on the Parade of Spirits, and they came to Mannheem to bring the plant spirits onto the Hunt.

On the twelfth day, Dreizehdax had arrived on the branches of the Weschtbledder that touch the Hatzholz. When he ordered his army forth, They were suddenly met with the magnified light from the seven stars. Most of his army fell dead. Dreizehdax ordered the rest back to the branches. He needed to destroy that wall or to circumvent it. The light was so strong and the temperature so high that no Frost Giant could withstand it. Thus, he needed to enlist the aid of the inhabitants of the Weschtbledder. He went to their settlements nearby and stated his need. "Why would we help you when you are destroying our homes?" came the response. Dreizehdax thought for a moment. "If you render that barrier harmless, then we will return all of our captives to you."

The inhabitants of the Weschtbledder discussed the matter among themselves. Many refused to help the enemies of the deities, but others, who were not particularly fond of those who dwell in Mannheem, were willing to help. It was decided that the race of the Finschderkowwold [a type of kobold that can steal or absorb light] would assist Dreizehdax in exchange for the release of all of the captives.

The kobolds went into the Hatzholz and were not affected by the magnified light. They approached each of the seven stars and surrounded them all, taking the light into themselves. This blocked the light from the barrier, and Dreizehdax was able to lead his army into the Hatzholz. On the thirteenth day, he set foot in Mannheem on the north side of the Blobarrick. He found the most vulnerable plants were already dead and their spirits gone. His soldiers tried to kill the remaining plants but found them to be hardier than expected. Still, though, the air was so cold that it could cause frostbite, so the humans remained indoors.

Presently, Ewicher Yeeger called out to Dreizehdax and requested a meeting. Dreizehdax agreed, and the two met away from the army. "I do not have the means to destroy your whole army by myself, but you must know that the other deities are on their way here from Hohegegend. I offer you a deal that you would be wise to take."

Ewicher Yeeger went on to state that he would be willing to allow the Giants to stay in small numbers since they had won the battle, but they must stay within an agreed-upon area. Dreizehdax said he would think it over, fully expecting to be able to enforce his own will on the gods once Vatzehvedder arrived the next day. However, during the night, many of the warriors from Hohegegend had arrived. Dreizehdax asked for one more day before giving a final answer, with the same hope that Fuffzehfux's arrival would force the deities to surrender.

[Details in this next section are inconsistent from informant to informant, so I left them out until they can be inspected again.]

The next day, Fuffzehfux crossed into Mannheem with the largest the Giants' armies. Dreizehdax was fully prepared to demand a surrender from the gods when he noticed that the gods' numbers had increased overnight. He agreed to Ewicher Yeeger's proposal, and he, Vatzehvedder, and Fuffzehfux departed for the Naddbledder, leaving a colony of Frost Giants in Mannheem.

When they arrived at King Frost's castle, they related the events and their results to him. King Frost was irate. "How can you win a war yet lose the peace? The colony will perish when Holle returns. You will need to go back there when she does."

Friday, May 12, 2017

And Here They Come...

Note: A related story from the attack that is observed in November appears in a 2019 posting. The two stories are connected. 

Although it does not appear that we'll be dealing with freezing temperatures in the Deitscherei over the next three nights, we still observe the end of the Wonnezeit and keep an eye out for the first attack of the Reifries (Frost Giants). 

There are at least two full variants of this story exist along with several additional tidbits and remnants turning up in other areas. The versions of the story that make a complete tale are those of the  Oley Freindschaft and the Harrity-Palmerton Freindschaft guilds of Braucherei, and their versions complement each other, with the Harrity-Palmerton version containing many details that the Oley version lacked. There are some clashing points between the versions, such as one stating that each Butzemann defends only his own property and the other referring to the Butzemann army taking the battle with the Frost Giants into the north.

This is the first, raw, harmonized version, which includes features of both principal complete versions as well as aspects of the remnants of others. The final version will be published in the near future.

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Der Reifkeenich (King Frost) heard that the Wild Hunt had returned to Mannheem (the home of humanity) and that his armies were in retreat from Hexefeld as the Wonnedanz revitalized the land. He first ordered Dreizehdax ("Thirteen-Badger") to go to Mannheem to reclaim his lost holdings. The next day, he dispatched Vatzehvedder (or Vatzehfedder, which may be a dialectic reference to "Fourteen-Porcupine"), and on the third day, he sent Fuffzehfux ("Fifteen-Fox"). Each took with him an army of Giants and allies.

Dreizehdax and his soldiers journeyed twelve nights from the Naddbledder ("Northern Leaves" of the World Tree). As they arrived in Mannheem, they brought the temperature down so much tender plants that could not withstand the cold. Dreizehdax and his soldiers feasted upon the spirits of the dying plants. Dreizehdax led his army down from the north, eventually arriving in the farmlands. 

Suddenly, he caught the gaze of a large, powerful, reddish-haired man, and he immediately recognized Him as Dunner. Dunner stood between Dreizehdax and the farmland, which Dreizehdax greedily wished to devour.

The Butzemann (spiritually activated scarecrow) on each farm prepared to fight to protect their children, though they were young and were not sure that they could defeat Dreizehdax and his powerful soldiers. As the Frost Giants stepped forward, Dunner lifted his mighty Hammer and slew one soldier after another, leaving only Dreizehdax, who fled in terror back to the north.

Dunner spoke to the Butzemenner (plural), telling them that He would teach them how to fight the Frost Giants. 

The next night, Vatzehvedder and his armies arrived in Mannheem. His army drenched the mountains in freezing rain, which stung the tenders, and the soldiers devoured the spirits of the dying plants. As the army approached the farmlands, Dunner raised His Hammer and commanded the rain to stop. He told all of the Butzemenner to come out of their shells to fight alongside Him. 

The spirit of each Butzemann stepped forth. Dunner fought the soldiers of Vatzehvedder with His hands, using His breath to warm the air and exerting His Megge (main, megin, life force energy) upon them, which caused them to melt. The Butzemenner followed suit, using the power of their Megge to surround the army so Dunner could destroy it. Vatzehvedder realized that his army was doomed, and he retreated to the north, joining Dreizehdax.

On the third night, Fuffzehfux and his army arrived in Mannheem. He and his soldiers froze the mist in the air, which dropped deadly dew onto the leaves and stems of the tender plants. The dew tortured the tender plants and harmed even many hardier plants. The Frost Giants began to eat the spirits of the damaged plants. 

Suddenly, the Butzemenner emerged from their shells and rose up from the farmlands, coming into the north and destroying the soldiers while they feasted. As the Butzemenner stepped forward the frozen dew turned to a warm mist, and the plants rejoiced.

Fuffzehfux soon found himself standing alone facing the Butzemann army, and he retreated to the north, joining Dreizehdax and Vatzehvedder. The three returned to the Naddbledder to bring the unhappy news of their defeat to King Frost.

As each Butzemann returned home to defend his own land, Dunner appeared before them to congratulate them on their victory. "Your children may now safely take root in the soil of Mannheem."

This is why the tender plants may be brought out after sunrise on May 15.

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Contributing work:

Tobin, Jesse. Der Braucherei Weg (course). Kempton, PA: Three Sisters Center for the Healing Arts, 2007.

Robert L. Schreiwer and Ammerili Eckhart, original research, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013..

Friday, March 3, 2017

Der Luul

'Siss Midwinder. Viele vun de Blanzegeischder sinn uff der Wilde Yacht mit der Holle gange. 'Em Reifkeenich sei Griegsmenner sinn iwwer 'm Land am Haerrsche. 

Wie waer's doch mit de annere Blanzegeischder? Sie sinn immer am Schiddle im reifiche Bodde. Wann en Eisgrieger die sehnt wett, er deet die in die Unnergegend schicke.

Wie duhne die driwwerkumme?

Der grie Harr Luul hiedt die.  Sei Ochdem erbaeht die. Sei Hand beschitzt die. Die yingere Geischder  buhle um sei Gunscht vun Ihm. Er iss die Waerming im Kalt. Er iss em Daagslicht sei Suh. Er iss der Lenzing im Winder.

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It is midwinter. Many of the plant spirits are on the Wild Hunt with Holle. The warriors of King Frost rule over the land. 

What of the other plant spirits? They are always shivering in the frosty soil. If an ice warrior would see them, he would send them to the Unnergegend. 

How do they survive?

The green Lord Luul watches over them. His breath warms them. His hand protects them. The younger spirits court his favor. He is the warmth in the cold. He is the son of the dawn's light. He is the spring in winter.

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One of the more mysterious beings in the Hexerei lore related from Central Pennsylvania by a small handful of respondents, the Luul is the defender of the winter greens and the early spring greens. 

The respondents related to Him as a helpful entity, which is not uncommon among many practitioners of Deitsch folk healing and magic even with known deities such as Wudan, Dunner, and Holle. The text above is an amalgamation of several respondents' statements, but among the more curious comments was from a Sadie M. (not her real name) of Juniata County, who made the specific reference to Luul being the son of dawn's light and the "Lenzing" in winter.

Lenzing can mean "springtime," but it is also an alternate name for the month of March (and is of the same root as "Lent" and is of Germanic origin). March is also the time of the Spring Equinox, or the Oschdre, which is associated in other tales with a goddess of the dawn who brought color to the world. Could Luul be the son of this goddess? 

During discussions on this topic among the Urglaawe community, we learned of the Frankish god known by varying names, including Lollus, Lullus, and Loll. We have looked into a possible link between Luul and Lollus. Lollus is depicted as holding His tongue, presumably because He is youthful (maybe even “Baby New Year” youthful?). Indeed, His name is linguisticlally related to “lollipop” and “lullabye,” so the tongue and the mouth appear to be important features.

 

Some scholars link Luul to Frey in terms of fertility. Grapes and earns of grain were given to Lollus, and He wore a wreath of poppy flowers around His neck. 


Image Source:
https://www.schweinfurtfuehrer.de/sagen-und-geschichten/schweinfurter-sagen/die-sage-vom-lollus/
Could an echo of the awareness of Lollus have been carried through into Deitsch lore in the form of Luul? Such a link cannot be proven, unfortunately. Nevertheless, Urglaawer honor Luul at New Year's Day, but it would be just as appropriate to honor Him during the month of Lenzing at the time when the weather is particularly capricious. 

While native plants are acclimated to the fickle weather of late winter and early spring, many naturalized plants, particularly annuals, are at risk of germinating during extended warm spells and then being damaged by a cold snap. 

If one accepts the connection between Luul and Lollus as likely, then grapes, grains, and poppies are appropriate offerings.

Some of the greens that Luul may be protecting include the following:

Among the greens that I'd place into this category, at least in this general area, would be Dead Nettles (Daabnessel, Lamium purpureum), Ground Ivy (Grundelrewe, Glechoma hederacea), Chickweed (Hinkeldarrem, Stellaria media), Cuckooflower (Schtruwwlichi Nans in Deitsch; in English, also called Pennsylvania Bittercress or Lady's Smock; Cardamine pensylvanica and related species). There are, of course, others.

There are medicinal uses for all of these, but among the more esoteric uses are the following:

Purple Deadnettle: A strong stand of Purple Deadnettle appearing in the Fall is said to divine a mild winter. Also, if someone is very ill, then the urine of that person is to be collected at night and poured onto Purple Deadnettles. If the Deadnettles were yellow or dying the next morning, then the ailing person should be expected to die from the current ailment. If the Purple Deadnettles were still green, then the person would be expected to overcome the ailment.

Ground Ivy: Sewn into the seams of skirts, this plant is said to increase the likelihood of pregnancy. Also, wreaths of Ground Ivy worn by elderly women around the waist while dancing on Walpurgisnacht/Wonnenacht are said to ward off old age. Similar stories apply to elderly men and women wearing wreaths on the head while dancing around the Midsummer fire. Also, this is one of the Nine Sacred Herbs of Braucherei.

Chickweed: Said via various methods to divine one's love or to attract love. I am not familiar with most of the methods, but one is similar to picking the leaves off of daisies. If you know chickweed, I am sure you can imagine the challenge presented in picking the petals off of the flowers. Perhaps more "Old World," though, is an odd practice that involves feeding a food chicken chickweed three days before it is to be cleaned and dressed, and then divining things from the entrails. The Deitsch name for the plant, Hinkeldarrem, does indeed mean "chicken guts," but most folks ascribe that to the often messy appearance of the plant.

Cuckooflower: Said to be sacred to any number of faeries and land spirits, likely because of the plant's quick, widespread appearance and the volume of seeds.

All of these can also be used alone or in combination with other herbs to detect witches, remove/block curses, and a couple of them can be used in actually casting curses.

Our understanding of Luul will continue to evolve over time.

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GardenStone. Gods of the Germanic Peoples 2, pp. 345-347.

Hasenfratz, Hans-Peter and Michael Moynihan. Barbarian Rites: The Spiritual World of the Vikings and the Germanic Tribes, pp. 113-114.

Mein Schweinfurt. Die Sage vom Lollus.