House spirits such as Kobolds, domestic elves, gnomes and the earth hen are popular figures in Germanic myth and folklore. They have strong ties to the Earth, though the Kobold is sometimes found aboard seafaring ships. Beware of Roggenhund or Rye Dog.
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House spirits might help with chores in exchange some dinner or a glass of sweet milk. They weave protective magic through the home. They can guard the household and warn people of a disaster, illness or death. Their presence improves intuition.
House Kobolds
There are fundamentally three types of Kobold - house, ship and mine Kobolds. In the past the term Kobold can be used broadly to refer to any magical creature, especially a mischievous one. Copper miners are often thwarted by the kobold Nickel, who corrupts good copper.
House Kobolds are small busy spirits who bring an aura of harmony. In a happy household a Kobold can stay for a lifetime. One might hear him or her humming, or the sound of a broom, or the fireplace looks especially clean. Kobolds also have healing magic.
House Kobolds intensely dislike strife, anger or negative emotions. Their pleasure can quickly turn to vitriol as they pee in the milk or mess up the kitchen. An angry Kobold can throw crockery like a poltergeist, cause illness and make winds blast through the house.
The same can happen if a homeowner forgets to feed a Kobold. The small creature can put up with a lot but not an empty stomach. Kobolds eat the same foods as humans and are especially partial to a snack of sweet milk, or milk with honey.
Domestic Elves
A domestic Elf is a type of Kobold. These elves are small, as in the Elves & the Shoemaker fairy tale. They have a range of magical talents and are usually very good at one particular thing. Abilities include sewing, cobbling, herbology or the psychology of cats.
Domestic Elves don't like to be seen. They can mend, clean the hearth or chase out the mice. Usually they appear in groups of three or pairs, rarely alone. If they catch someone spying on them they vanish in a puff of smoke and never come back.
They're generally friendly with other spirits and get along well with house Kobolds. They may have a streak of mischief. Domestic elves take up residence in the walls or pantry, or access a mystic parallel realm only they can see.
Their aura is also luck for the house and causes good cheer. A bite of Schnitzel or quaff some ale is worth the investment. The resident elves also keep out any freeloading fairies looking for a quick meal.
Garden Gnomes
Their ancestors lived deep within the earth, and these industrious creatures are happiest in the garden. They spread gnomish earth magic to help flowers grow, and bring in helpful animals such as toads and hedgehogs to eat pests.
Gnomes arrive in the 16th century, during the German Renaissance, in Switzerland. They're described by physician, alchemist, philosopher Paracelsus as linked to one of the four essential elements, Earth, and its alpine rumblings.
Although their completely chthonic existence is gone, garden gnomes still have a strong bond with the Earth. They bring helpful minerals to the surface and encourage fruiting fungi, which break up the soil and distribute nutrients.
As well they're connected to gems, precious metals and gemology. People with gnomes in the garden may occasionally find odd stones. Gnome stones can be brought into the house for luck, put in a garden nook or left where they lie.
Erdhenne - Earth Hen
The Earth Hen rarely shows herself, but might be heard scratching or clucking. She can be a benevolent spirit or harbinger of doom. In animal spirit lore, the hen is one of the animals with powerful connections to the rhythm of the Earth.
In ornithomancy or divination by bird movements, hens are considered among the most prophetic birds. The others are corvids like ravens, crows and magpies. The hen is a sign of motherhood and if a feather of Erdhenne is found it may predict a birth in the family.
Erdhenne is usually grey or brown, sometimes black. She helps keep bugs out of the house and tends to stay hidden. A dog or cat might sense her presence.
It's very bad luck to see her. It means a death or serious illness in the family will occur. Her cluck is usually soft and soothing, but if she clucks nine times, the head of the household will soon die.
Like other helpful house spirits the Earth Hen brings an aura of good fortune. She doesn't require a feeding but won't argue if she finds a handful of grain. The Hen is fortunate for new mothers and represents motherhood in general.
This house spirt doesn't venture outdoors. Strange chickens in the fields or at harvest time might be grain spirits. It's unlucky to disturb them. The Harvest Rooster waits in the crop to peck out someone's eyes.
Bieresel - Beer Donkey
As his name implies the Beer Donkey is very fond of Germany's famous beverage, beer. He enjoys anything fermented including mead, cider and wine. His presence in the beer cellar, brewery, production plant or public house can be a good sign or not.
It's a good sign as the Donkey brings fertility magic and protection. It's a bad sign as this beast can drink a pub dry if given his way. Offered a glass or dish of drink each day keeps him satisfied, but forget and he starts smashing bottles.
He has trickster qualities and might hit, trip or push a person for a laugh. At other times, he settles into a harmonious rhythm and his mood is helpful and generous. In some areas, however, he can be a deadly Aufhocker.
His aura is productive if he's in a place of fermentation, and helps the yeast thrive. He also may appear to fertilize fruit trees over the winter solstice season. If his braying is heard in a windstorm or weather disturbance, the hops crops will be good.
Roggenhund - Rye Dog
Primarily associated with the rye crop, Roggenhund enjoys almost any grain. He doesn't come to sit in the crop and bite passersby as do many harvest spirits. This dog comes sniffing around the house for flour. He loves flour and can eat a lot of it.
Proceeds of the whole harvest can end up in Roggenhund's belly. Sprinkle caraway to keep the Rye Dog away or put rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) in the room. Also be sure the pantry door cannot be pushed open by an inquisitive nose.
Roggenhund is less aggressive than some other harvest spirits like Roggenwolf, though his magic is strong enough to overwhelm most house spirits. If he does show up he might look appealing, like a little lost pup, but beyond the harmless exterior lurks never-ending hunger.
He's also a trickster spirit who can cause minor accidents or glitches. If your butter churn stops working it may be a sign Roggenhund is straying nearby. Leave onion or citrus scents on doorsteps and windowsills to keep him out.
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