Though we consider ourselves as not totally unacquainted with Germanic mythology, we happily recognize that other people know more about it. So it was with great interest we read an article on customs associated with autumn and/or harvest by a young man named Nick Krekelbergh in a Dutch language magazine called TeKoS yesterday. And our interest was rewarded: we learned more about Frau Holle (aka Frau Holda).
Okay … but who is this Frau Holle anyway ? Well, we’ve got two options here: tell you all about it and bore those acquainted with Germanic mythology to death or provide you with a summary, meanwhile hoping to make it interesting enough to get you to look up further information and not chasing the already informed away. Since we’re trying to get you to read our free prequel too, we’ll be going for option two.
Frau Holle is best known as protector of agriculture and women’s crafts, though Jacob Grimm (one of the Brothers, indeed, but also a philologist and mythologist) connected her with the Germanic goddess Hludana or Holda. Other connections are those to Hlóðyn, mother of the Old Norse Thor, Nerthus, another Germanic goddess who like Frau Holle rides a wagon, and Frigg, Odin’s wife and highest goddess of the Aesir (who in turn may be the same as Freyja, highest goddess of the Vanir). Known alternate names for her are Frau Guaden (or Wodan, also known as Odin) and Frau Frekke (see the resemblance with Frigg and Freyja), while she is also claimed to be mistress of the Wild Hunt (those familiar with the origins of Sinterklaas, from which is derived Santa Claus, will know that Odin seated on his horse Sleipnir is more frequently claimed to be so).
So much for Frau Holle’s name. But what did she do again ? Well, she was the protector of women’s crafts, in particular spinning (weaving), an activity strongly connected to magic and the other world (remember the Cathars), just like Frigg. Spinning and Christmas Eve or Twelfth Night are still associated in parts of Germany where festivals for Holda are observed. Frau Holle was also closely associated with the wilderness, wild animals, remote places and the weather. Holda shaking her feather pillows made it snow, fog was smoke from her fire, thunder was heard when she reeled her flax. Holle is said to be the protector of children, whose souls enter the world through a sacred pool she owns, but she also haunts lakes and fountains and is seen as a White Lady bathing in the water and disappearing, just like Nerthus. And we already told she is one of the supposed leaders of the Wild Hunt.
What we didn’t know, and learned from Krekelbergh’s article, is that in some parts of Germany Frau Holle was considered to be the Corn Mother (Grain Mother). When mowing the villagers would let some stalks stand, sometimes decorate them with flowers and call for Frau Holle (also Fru Gaue or Fru Gode) or just leave the stalks for her. From the corn mother to Holle’s last occupation is just a small step: though the Corn Mother was a positive appearance in pagan religion, catholic church gradually demonized her and Frau Holle became a witch. In old church documents she was identified with the goddess Diana, but starting at the beginning of the eleventh century she was even designated as matron of witches.
Though there’s much more to tell about the subject we’d like to finish this story. Frau Holle, a goddess claimed to be matron of witches and maybe being another denomination for Hludana or Holda, the Germanic goddess of death (also known as Hel), is namely … one of the main characters in The Maier-Files. She has a small part in the free prequel, but starts playing a major role in Book 1 – The Inauguration (to appear this month). Actually, in that book she’s mowing the enemies down.
Now, why would we name that character Frau Holle ? Well, because there’s a lot more to The Maier-Files than meets the eye at first glance. As we said before: it’s a story about secret services and covert wars, but it’s also about UFOs and … witches. Want to know more ? Read the prequel and buy Book 1. When will that be published ? Subscribe to our free newsletter, receive the prequel in high definition, and we’ll keep you posted.
Björn Roose
Okay … but who is this Frau Holle anyway ? Well, we’ve got two options here: tell you all about it and bore those acquainted with Germanic mythology to death or provide you with a summary, meanwhile hoping to make it interesting enough to get you to look up further information and not chasing the already informed away. Since we’re trying to get you to read our free prequel too, we’ll be going for option two.
Frau Holle is best known as protector of agriculture and women’s crafts, though Jacob Grimm (one of the Brothers, indeed, but also a philologist and mythologist) connected her with the Germanic goddess Hludana or Holda. Other connections are those to Hlóðyn, mother of the Old Norse Thor, Nerthus, another Germanic goddess who like Frau Holle rides a wagon, and Frigg, Odin’s wife and highest goddess of the Aesir (who in turn may be the same as Freyja, highest goddess of the Vanir). Known alternate names for her are Frau Guaden (or Wodan, also known as Odin) and Frau Frekke (see the resemblance with Frigg and Freyja), while she is also claimed to be mistress of the Wild Hunt (those familiar with the origins of Sinterklaas, from which is derived Santa Claus, will know that Odin seated on his horse Sleipnir is more frequently claimed to be so).
So much for Frau Holle’s name. But what did she do again ? Well, she was the protector of women’s crafts, in particular spinning (weaving), an activity strongly connected to magic and the other world (remember the Cathars), just like Frigg. Spinning and Christmas Eve or Twelfth Night are still associated in parts of Germany where festivals for Holda are observed. Frau Holle was also closely associated with the wilderness, wild animals, remote places and the weather. Holda shaking her feather pillows made it snow, fog was smoke from her fire, thunder was heard when she reeled her flax. Holle is said to be the protector of children, whose souls enter the world through a sacred pool she owns, but she also haunts lakes and fountains and is seen as a White Lady bathing in the water and disappearing, just like Nerthus. And we already told she is one of the supposed leaders of the Wild Hunt.
What we didn’t know, and learned from Krekelbergh’s article, is that in some parts of Germany Frau Holle was considered to be the Corn Mother (Grain Mother). When mowing the villagers would let some stalks stand, sometimes decorate them with flowers and call for Frau Holle (also Fru Gaue or Fru Gode) or just leave the stalks for her. From the corn mother to Holle’s last occupation is just a small step: though the Corn Mother was a positive appearance in pagan religion, catholic church gradually demonized her and Frau Holle became a witch. In old church documents she was identified with the goddess Diana, but starting at the beginning of the eleventh century she was even designated as matron of witches.
Though there’s much more to tell about the subject we’d like to finish this story. Frau Holle, a goddess claimed to be matron of witches and maybe being another denomination for Hludana or Holda, the Germanic goddess of death (also known as Hel), is namely … one of the main characters in The Maier-Files. She has a small part in the free prequel, but starts playing a major role in Book 1 – The Inauguration (to appear this month). Actually, in that book she’s mowing the enemies down.
Now, why would we name that character Frau Holle ? Well, because there’s a lot more to The Maier-Files than meets the eye at first glance. As we said before: it’s a story about secret services and covert wars, but it’s also about UFOs and … witches. Want to know more ? Read the prequel and buy Book 1. When will that be published ? Subscribe to our free newsletter, receive the prequel in high definition, and we’ll keep you posted.
Björn Roose
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