Introductions to German Gods and Goddesses
The following is an introduction to a few of the German Gods and Goddesses. Some are the same and the Icelandic gods but with different names and more information about them. Others are unique to the German traditions.
Weisskeppichi
Weisskeppichi is known as the White-Haired Lady and seen as a great healer. I can find no connection to the goddess Eir other than being a healer. She is seen as the personification of megin/ life-force energy, megge in the Pennsylvania German Tradition.
Weisskeppichi is thought to live in the Oschtbledder, a realm on the Tree of Life or Der Lewwebaam. This is known as a place of magic. It is believed by the German people that she has taken human form several times throughout history to help humans. The best-known incarnation is the renowned seeress Veleda. She was a priestess and prophetess of the Bructeri (pronounced – Brock-Two-Ree), a Germanic tribe.
In German folklore she is seen as the wyrd-elf who protects the forests. The Golden owl and the color white is associated with her.
Veleda
• priestess and prophetess of the Bructeri, a Germanic tribe.
• thought to be referred to in a German folktale as the Goddess or “weird elf” who protected the forests, roaming the land on lookout for harm done to nature
Holle
• Matron of Urglaawe
• Oversees the light half of the year in the Hatzholz, Heart Wood of the World Tree, from Wonnenacht to Allelieweziel (Apr 30-approximately Nov 1)
• Leads the Wild Hunt from Allelieweziel to Wonnenacht
• Rules cycles, spirals, time healing
Associated with wells
• Concerned with order of the home
• Requires that spring cleaning be completed prior to Her arrival back from the Wild Hunt on Wonnenacht; she will inspect homes for tidiness so if one cannot complete the cleaning, it is customary to leave an offering
Berchta
• Sister to Holle
• Resides in Dunkelgegend from Wonnenacht to Allelieweziel
• Oversees the dark half of the year in Hatzholz from Allelieweziel to Wonnenacht
• Concerned with order of the mind and mental health; it is thought this is because of seasonal depression that happens when people are stuck in the house for months.
• Requires that all projects are completed prior to the start of Yuul
• Brings in the souls that missed the Wild Hunt
Freid (German version of the goddess Frigg.)
Freid is known as the hearth goddess and a powerful Volva. She rules over the institution of marriage and motherhood, and she is concerned with affairs of the home and garden. She is tied with the Matriarchal spirits and said to spin the material used to weave the Web of Wyrd or Wurt (the Nornin do not spin the web, they write your fate on the roots of the world tree).
Ewicher Yeeger/Holler (God of Death, Skiing, and Hunting)
Ewicher Yeeger is thought to be the husband of the goddess Holle. He is known as the god of death and scrapple (a German food). He is also known as the god skiing, hunting and the bounty from fishing and hunting. Ewicher Yeeger is best known in America because he saved one of the Pennsylvania German colonies from starvation by helping them during a famine because they remembered the old ways. He is thought to roam the Blue Mountain Range.
At the end of Samhain/Allelieweziel he kills the plants and takes their spirits so that the Frost Giants cannot remove them from the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Erda (Goddess of the Earth and Soil) (German version of Jord/Nerthus)
Erda is considered as the mother of Dunner/Thor.
Erda
• Goddess of the Earth and Soil
• Considered to be the mother of Dunner
• When working with Her, there is a verbot on using iron tools and specifically when cutting vervain
• In Deitsch, the American Lotus is known as ‘Wassermann.’ Literally translated, it means water man. The full name of the plant is ‘Wasserharrsgschenk’ or ‘water lord’s gift.’ The gift is said to be the ‘Earth Lady,’ who is also known in Hexerei lore as Erda.
Dunner (German version of Thor)
• Every man’s God or the God of the regular folk
• Known to be compassionate and supportive when one’s own reserves are diminished
• Can be called on for courage, strength, fertility, compassion
• His name is the root for Thursday in Deitsch– Dunnersdaag (Thursday in English)
• Traditionally, in Deitsch culture Tuesdays and Thursdays are wedding days
• Fogel notes that Thursdays were considered fishing days and the first day to move cattle
• Teaches activated Butzemenner (scarecrows) in May for the annual confrontation with die Reisfries (Frost Giants) (it is said that this happens around May 15th and thus it is safe to plant outside after that date)
• Personified with thunder and lightning
Wudan (German version of Odin)
• Can be a little shifty (considered a “Chaos god”)
• Assists with spiritual quandaries, facing oneself, questions of internal struggle
• Looked too for wisdom and matters involving travel or wandering
• Accompanies Holle on the Wild Hunt but remains in the Hatzholz during the dark time.
• Fogel identifies him with the Deitsch character of der Belsnickel and certain aspects of Santa Claus
• Wudan’s Hall is thought to be in Hohegegend
Luul
Luul is known as the god that protects the plants that hold on through winter. He is also responsible for the yearly cycle of nature and is the keeper of secrets.
Luul’s associations,
· Holiday – Luulfescht January 1st
· Colors – Pine or mossy green
· Plants – Pine trees
Ziu (German version of Tyr)
• Concerned with justice, right mindedness, right action
• Thought to be personified by the North Star
• Tuesday is Ziu’s day
• His Court is thought to be in Hohegegend
Zisa (Tyr/Ziu’s wife)
• Remover of obstacles, undoer of knots
• But also, sometimes puts barriers in place “for your own good”
• Thought to be personified by the South Star ~ Vega
The people of Augsburg Germany say that during a plague she came off of her mountain and taught them how to survive by teaching hygiene/best practices to contain the spread of the disease. Some of these techniques we have rediscovered in the 20th century such as eating a healthy diet, bathing regularly and use of sunlight/UV light to kill viruses/bacteria) She is the patroness of Augsburg and associated with pinecones.
