Creating a Frau Holle festival altar is fun. Frau Holle is perhaps the most beloved of German deities, with a number of different aspects. She's a domestic goddess of spinning and weaving; a warrior and White Lady.
A nature goddess and protector of trees, she's also a Dark Grandmother, who receives spirits of deceased infants and sends them to light. They may become cherubic helpers in her manifestation as nature goddess.
Holle values courtesy, simplicity, honesty and hard work. Fluffing her bedding, she makes it snow on Earth, especially in the Alps. In guise of a simple domestic goddess she shows herself to be a powerful weather deity able to create blizzards and ice storms as well.
The Festival of Frau Holle begins December 25 and carries on for twelve days (den Zwölften), ending Jan 5-6, or Twelfth Night. In ancient Babylon this time is celebrated as the 12 Days of Zagmuk, a fertility festival.
A patron of women, Frau Holle has many names including Holla, Holda, Hulda, Bercht, Perchta, Holundermutter and Old Mother Frost. She's from a pantheon even older than that of the Norse.
Frau Holle in her warrior aspect is often equated with Roman Diana the Huntress. Both women are linked to dogs, especially hounds, suiting their natures as leaders of the Wild Hunt.
Like virginal Diana, Holle is a completely independent woman. In her mythology she has no lover or consort, although she's associated with fertility.
Make a Frau Holle Altar
An altar is a way to show respect to a deity such as Frau Holle and what she stands for, and to enhance the positive flow of energy for good luck. Find an east-facing place for a small table or stand made of wood.
Include decor, as desired:
candles or white lights
apple, apple fragrance or apple wood
cookies & baking - part of the harmony of home, to be shared, eaten and refreshed as needed
tokens of elderberry whether plant parts, tea or elderberry theme art.
snow ornaments, icicle and snowflake decorations
elements of greenery - such as a plant, foliage, evergreen branches
natural fiber yarn, linen
home-made art or crafts
clear, white, green or blue crystals
polished silver
wheel or wheel symbols
warrior symbols (see below)
Set up candles singly, paired or three as a trinity. Downward pointing triangle is a feminine symbol. White is a color of light, beginnings, divinity. Blue connects to water or ice, dreams and the subconscious.
Silver relates to the feminine, moon, winter. Green is a color of the female warrior. Clear crystals help channel goddess energy.
Frau Holle makes it snow throughout the land and especially in the Alps, so artwork of the white alpine flower Edelweiss is a pleasing gift in her honor. Yarn and natural fabric recognize her importance as a domestic goddess.
The Wheel is a strong symbol to use, as the spinning wheel going round, turn of seasons, cycles of life. To acknowledge the warrior aspect use symbols of shield, arrow or spear.
Again the shield equates to a wheel or circle of life. Any talisman used to represent it holds its influence. Linden wood is favored for German shields in ancient times, and also blesses the home.
Ash and oak are the woods most often used to make spear shafts. Ash is also good for bows and arrows. Ash is more feminine than oak, but don't offend the Eschenfrau who lives in the ash. That's easier said than done.
Dog figurines and symbols are pleasing to the goddess. Light candle(s) at nightfall to represent coming of the light repelling the darkness. This is also meant to repulse evil spirits who roam in the dark.
Keep the altar clean through festive season, up to the night of Jan 5-6. Frau Holle is a tidy goddess. Attune to the flow of harmonious energy in the home, and let the coming of spring bring bright blessings to you.
Non-Fiction Books:
Fiction Books:
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