Mother Holda and the Goddesses of Winter

Grand tidings and Happy New Year! On this week's episode, after our holiday rest, join me as we travel through the forests of old and walk alongside four of the most powerful Winter Goddesses. We look at their associations and tales, as a means of exploring how to connect and work with them during this most powerful season.

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Sources
-Hopkins, Genevieve. “The Winter Queens: Hags, Witches, Sovereigns and Goddesses of Winter.” Medium, https://medium.com/wheel-cross/the-winter-queens-hags-witches-sovereigns-and-goddesses-of-winter-dcd8e4a92eed. Accessed 28 December 2023.
-Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm. Grimms’ Fairy Tales. E-book, The Project Gutenberg eBook of Grimms’ Fairy Tales, 2021. 

Music
"A Daydream About Spring," Mark Tyner 2018
-“Dreams Become Real” by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1500027
Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Cheers all and Happy New Year,
Kieran

Transcript

Let me…tell you a story.

Far to the East, a Mother and Daughter walked through the night. 

Quietly, ever so quietly, the snow fell around them, covering their tracks and hiding them from sight. 

With lantern in hand, and the soft, whistling wind in the pines, they were led to an ancient mound.

Topped with a single standing stone. 

Here, the Mother knew, was the necessary place for the honoring of the Mother. 

The Old One.

The Goddess of the Winter.

Much like her own mother had shown her years before, the Mother guided here Daughter’s hand to the stone.

Breathing out slowly and quietly the name of the Great One they yearned to reach. 

With a small prick of a needle, their hands soon covered the menhir with offerings of their Witches’ Water:

Their blood.

Quietly, ever so quietly, the clasped heart to heart and hand to hand, 

Praying to the Goddess to answer their winter prayers.

For safety.

Comfort.

Health.

Good Fortune.

Love.  

And the power to right the wrongs addressed them. 

Then, as if Fate had willed it,

The Goddess of Winter answered their prayer.

Far off in the distance, causing the Mother and Daughter to gasp, came a shrieking.

A Howling.

A despairing whistle in the wind. 

More tightly did the Mother and Daughter clasp hand to hand, eyes tightly shut.

The shrieking and howling drew closer, the women’s breath ragged and short.

Suddenly, the women felt an icy pressure on their hands and slowly opened their eyes.

An icy blue hand clasped theirs, caressing them and holding them safely and firmly. 

“I have heard your call,” a voice said. 

The Mother and Daughter opened their eyes, looking into the face of the Goddess of Winter. 

“For now your work…,” the voice continued…

“Has only just begun.”

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            Grand tidings and welcome to you on this, the eleventh episode, of Beyond the Seas. My name is Kieran and here we are again, back at it for another week. I hope and trust all of your holidays were amazing and out of this world—with much wine in hand to celebrate. It is not officially winter and I could not be more excited for my favorite season. It is such a magical time, with the snow falling and the cold winds blowing—what better time to settle into the darker halves of ourselves and transcend the shadow?

            I wanted to give a special shoutout to a wonderful shop I recently visited in Indianapolis: The Magick Candle. As the podcast and its social media presence begin to grow, so too will our community and its connections to all magickal practitioners. I met Michelle and Jan at the shop and they were so gracious to allow me to capture some pictures and videos of their various, wonderful wares and fares. The shop is filled with a plethora of herbs, stones, feathers, books, candles, talismans, oils, and so many other tools of the Craft. And that is not all: they are also home to The Cauldron School of Metaphysics, one of only three certified schools of metaphysics in the country. Right here, at home, in Indianapolis. What a treasure trove of knowledge and wisdom they have to offer. The shop is also avidly kind and generous in its philanthropy: they continuously operate a food drive, give 150 blessing bags full of essential items to the homeless, participate with and donate to the Women’s Shelter, and hold fundraisers at the end of every calendar year in the shop through tarot readings. I cannot recommend enough going to the shop for all your practical and educational needs. So look out for a new reel on the podcast’s Insta, @beyondtheseaspod, to see what magick we conjured that day. And the shop’s Insta is also linked therein, as well as in the show notes: give them a follow and a like, and see what magick you may too brew with them.

            And now, the wine of the week! I had a few new bottles to try out over the holidays, and one of my new favorites is a 2022 Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages. It is a very light French wine—there is something about French wines now that just get me going—and it contains light notes of cherry, raspberry, honeysuckle, thyme, and chocolate. It is definitely a light-bodied wine, so a lot goes a little way, hahaha. Get at least two or three bottles because you will thank me later for that. It pairs best with white sauces, white soups, hearty breads, soft cheeses, and vanilla candles. 

            And finally, this week’s topic. Mother Holda and the Goddesses of Winter are abundantly appropriate as an ushering in of the new season. With the onset of snowfall and blizzards and frozen icicles on the trees, let us take a walk through the forests of old in honor of these powerful female deities. What new insights do they hold for us? What stories surround them, folklorically? And how might we connect with and work for them today?

            For now, grab your favorite bottle of red, find a comfy chair, and close your eyes as I tell you the tale of Mother Holda and the Goddesses of Winter—and take you…

            Beyond the Seas.

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            Every culture has its gods, and every season its rulers. These mythical, folkloric, and archetypal characters populate our need to understand the scientific laws that govern Nature and our reality. The change of the seasons, as we know, is caused by the tilt in the earth’s axis: when it is more closely tilting towards the sun, we have summer. When it tilts away, winter. And in between, the Spring and Fall . Much like the spiral guides us on our journey in and out, up and down, so too does it contain the ever-flowing Wheel of the Year—and its many associations therein. 

            Today, though, it is towards the dark, cold depths of Winter that we turn our attention. As my favorite season, it is a time to honor the darkness within ourselves: that shadow-self that guides our fears, anxieties, worries, and tribulations. To honor the past, in order to live more fully in the present. Here, we are gifted the time to travel inward and beyond, meditating on the journey that we have trod to come to this moment—and where we have yet to go.        

            The Winter Mothers of Old grant us guidance, wisdom, safety, and encouragement on this seasonal journey. Rather than walking through the harshness of the dark alone, it is their divine lanterns of light that guide our steps along the snowy ways. As we travel through the hibernation times with them, we know that it is the rebirth of the light that grants us hope towards a brighter day. When applying that metaphor to our magick, it constitutes working with the Shadow…but that is another tale for another day. 

            Let us begin our journey with the Mothers today by first listening to a tale set forth by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, titled Mother Hulle.  

            “Once upon a time, there was a widow who had two daughters; one of them was beautiful and industrious, the other ugly and lazy. The mother, however, loved the ugly and lazy one best, because she was her own daughter, and so the other, who was only her stepdaughter, was made to do all the work of the house, and was quite the Cinderella of the family. Her stepmother sent her out every day to sit by the well in the high road, there to spin until she made her fingers bleed. Now it chanced one day that some blood fell on to the spindle, and as the girl stopped over the well to wash it off, the spindle suddenly sprang out of her hand and fell into the well. She ran home crying to tell of her misfortune, but her stepmother spoke harshly to her, and after giving her a violent scolding, said unkindly, ‘As you have let the spindle fall into the well you may go yourself and fetch it out.’

            “The girl went back to the well not knowing what to do, and at last in her distress she jumped into the water after the spindle. She remembered nothing more until she awoke and found herself in a beautiful meadow, full of sunshine, and with countless flowers blooming in every direction.

            “She walked over the meadow, and presently she came upon a baker’s oven full of bread, and the loaves cried out to her, ‘Take us out, take us out, or alas! we shall be burnt to a cinder; we were baked through long ago.’ So she took the bread-shovel and drew them all out.

            “She went on a little farther, till she came to a tree full of apples. ‘Shake me, shake me, I pray,’ cried the tree; ‘my apples, one and all, are ripe.’ So she shook the tree, and the apples came falling down upon her like rain; but she continued shaking until there was not a single apple left upon it. Then she carefully gathered the apples together in a heap and walked on again.

            “The next thing she came to was a little house, and there she saw an old woman looking out, with such large teeth, that she was terrified, and turned to run away. But the old woman called after her, ‘What are you afraid of, dear child? Stay with me; if you will do the work of my house properly for me, I will make you very happy. You must be very careful, however, to make my bed in the right way, for I wish you always to shake it thoroughly, so that the feathers fly about; then they say, down there in the world, that it is snowing; for I am Mother Holle.’ The old woman spoke so kindly, that the girl summoned up courage and agreed to enter into her service.

            “She took care to do everything according to the old woman’s bidding and every time she made the bed she shook it with all her might, so that the feathers flew about like so many snowflakes. The old woman was as good as her word: she never spoke angrily to her, and gave her roast and boiled meats every day.

            “So she stayed on with Mother Holle for some time, and then she began to grow unhappy. She could not at first tell why she felt sad, but she became conscious at last of great longing to go home; then she knew she was homesick, although she was a thousand times better off with Mother Holle than with her mother and sister. After waiting awhile, she went to Mother Holle and said, ‘I am so homesick, that I cannot stay with you any longer, for although I am so happy here, I must return to my own people.’

            “Then Mother Holle said, ‘I am pleased that you should want to go back to your own people, and as you have served me so well and faithfully, I will take you home myself.’

            “Thereupon she led the girl by the hand up to a broad gateway. The gate was opened, and as the girl passed through, a shower of gold fell upon her, and the gold clung to her, so that she was covered with it from head to foot.

            “‘That is a reward for your industry,’ said Mother Holle, and as she spoke she handed her the spindle which she had dropped into the well.

            “The gate was then closed, and the girl found herself back in the old world close to her mother’s house. As she entered the courtyard, the cock who was perched on the well, called out:

            “‘Cock-a-doodle-doo!

            “Your golden daughter’s come back to you.’

            “Then she went in to her mother and sister, and as she was so richly covered with gold, they gave her a warm welcome. She related to them all that had happened, and when the mother heard how she had come by her great riches, she thought she should like her ugly, lazy daughter to go and try her fortune. So she made the sister go and sit by the well and spin, and the girl pricked her finger and thrust her hand into a thorn-bush, so that she might drop some blood on to the spindle; then she threw it into the well, and jumped in herself.

            “Like her sister she awoke in the beautiful meadow, and walked over it till she came to the oven. ‘Take us out, take us out, or alas! we shall be burnt to a cinder; we were baked through long ago,’ cried the loaves as before. But the lazy girl answered, ‘Do you think I am going to dirty my hands for you?’ and walked on.

            “Presently she came to the apple-tree. ‘Shake me, shake me, I pray; my apples, one and all, are ripe,’ it cried. But she only answered, ‘A nice thing to ask me to do, one of the apples might fall on my head,’ and passed on.

            “At last she came to Mother Holle’s house, and as she had heard all about the large teeth from her sister, she was not afraid of them, and engaged herself without delay to the old woman.

            “The first day she was very obedient and industrious, and exerted herself to please Mother Holle, for she thought of the gold she should get in return. The next day, however, she began to dawdle over her work, and the third day she was more idle still; then she began to lie in bed in the mornings and refused to get up. Worse still, she neglected to make the old woman’s bed properly, and forgot to shake it so that the feathers might fly about. So Mother Holle very soon got tired of her, and told her she might go. The lazy girl was delighted at this, and thought to herself, ‘The gold will soon be mine.’ Mother Holle led her, as she had led her sister, to the broad gateway; but as she was passing through, instead of the shower of gold, a great bucketful of pitch came pouring over her.

            “‘That is in return for your services,’ said the old woman, and she shut the gate.

            “So the lazy girl had to go home covered with pitch, and the cock on the well called out as she saw her:

            “‘Cock-a-doodle-doo!

            Your dirty daughter’s come back to you.’

            “But, try what she would, she could not get the pitch off and it stuck to her as long as she lived.”

            There is so much to unravel in this particular tale: we see a strong parallel between the industrious daughter and Persephone. As she falls into the well, so too does Persephone gain admission to the Hades and the Underworld. The shaking of the apple tree and the taking of the bread loaves is a sign that the harvest is reaped and Autumn has come and pass. The shaking of Mother Holda’s sheets is a sign that Winter has arrived and stayed for several months, until the beautiful daughter feels the longing to return to the Middle World once more. 

            The lazy sister, then, having refused to shake the apple trees and carry out the loaves, suggests Spring and Summer have arrived in the Middle World. The abundance of life on the trees and in the fields are undisturbed as she passes, so they continue to grow and multiply. Furthermore, due to her laziness, there is no shaking of Mother Holda’s sheets—thus, no snow flies in our world. As she returns covered in pitch, and her sister rejoicing in her gold, one may assume that future journeys to Mother Holda’s cottage are in order: for here, we see the idea of pagan offering to gain reciprocity. The pricking of the fingers on the spinning wheel and the gifting of blood to gain admission to the Otherworld is bluntly shown. 

            How, then, does this relate to who Mother Holda is? She is also known as Frau Holle, Mother Holle, or Mother Hulda. According to Genevieve Hopkins, Mother Holda is “is a legendary figure in German folklore associated with the winter season. She is often depicted as an elderly woman who lives at the bottom of a well or in a remote house on a mountain. Frau Holle is closely connected to the changing of the seasons and is said to govern the weather and the fertility of the land.

            “According to German folklore, Frau Holle shakes out her featherbeds or pillows, which causes snow to fall on Earth, marking the arrival of winter. She is seen as both a benevolent and strict figure, rewarding hard work and kindness while punishing laziness and rudeness. It is said that those who show respect and kindness to her are blessed with good fortune, while those who mistreat her or neglect their responsibilities may face her wrath.

            “In some versions of the story, Frau Holle is associated with spinning and weaving. It is believed that she spins the clouds and weaves the fabric of the weather. Her spinning wheel represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. She is also often depicted with a broom, symbolizing the sweeping away of the old to make way for the new. The tale of Frau Holle has been passed down through generations, teaching lessons of hard work, fairness, and the importance of caring for others.”

            Here, we see the Crone archetype, most closely associated to Cerridwen and the Cailleach. The spinning and weaving she creates suggests a strong relationship to the household, domesticity, and the motherly arts. She is a strong protector of women and, through her spinning, connects abundantly well with the practices of magick and witchcraft. Much like we practitioners today weave our own creations through ritual and rite, so too does Frau Holle spin patiently with her magickal abilties, waiting for the change of the wheel to winter once more. She reminds us that hard work and dedication to our Crafts will bring fruitful abundance. The Law of Conservation of Energy and the Rule of Three apply here: the work we do in our workings, both magickally and mundanely, will attract three-times the amount put in—for energy is neither created nor destroyed. It simply is, and thus able to be used for our benefit—if we choose to work with it.

            Refill your drinking horns, your goblets, your chalices, for the second half of Mother Holda and Other Goddesses of Winter after this brief break.

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            And we’re back! There are so many wonderful female deities to explore on today’s episode—and our discussion is not only informative, but also devotional. So let us raise our glass to them today, and the power they hold over this winter season. This next section of Goddesses comes from Genevieve Hopkins’ article “The Winter Queens: Hags, Witches, Sovereigns and Goddesses of Winter” and is chock full of juicy information on the following goddesses.       

            I know we have already discussed this next Goddess, but she is absolutely my favorite of all time and I cannot resist the opportunity to bring her back into the podcast circle once more. “The Cailleach, also known as the Cailleach Beira, is an ancient Celtic goddess associated with winter, mountains, and sovereignty over the land. She is often described as a divine hag or crone, symbolising wisdom, power, and the cyclical nature of life. The Cailleach’s presence is strongly felt during the winter months when she is said to rule over the harsh and barren landscape. She is believed to shape the land through her actions, such as striking the ground with her staff, which brings about freezing temperatures and the transformation of the land into a wintry realm.

            “In Scottish and Irish folklore, the Cailleach is associated with specific geographical features, particularly mountains, and rocky outcrops. It is said that she formed these landscapes by dropping stones from her apron or by hurling boulders during her battles with other divine figures. On the west coast of Scotland, it is said that the Cailleach brings in the winter by washing her great plaid in the Corryvreckan (cauldron of the plaid) whirlpool for three days until it is pure white, and snow covers the land. Legend has it that while she is washing her plaid, the roar of the coming winter tempest can be heard as far as twenty miles inland.

            “Some tales say that she gathers her firewood on the eve of the winter solstice, preparing for the longest night of the year. In some stories, the Cailleach drinks from the well of life on the morning of the winter solstice. Her life force is renewed by the water, and she transforms from an old crone into a beautiful maiden, often represented by Bride or Brigid, the goddess of light, life, rebirth, and spring.

            “Another version tells that it was Bride who sought to bring about the return of the sun and the revitalisation of the land. In her quest, she encounters the Cailleach and requests access to the well. The Cailleach, in her role as the guardian of winter and the old year, initially refuses Bride’s plea. However, Bride who is also known for her wisdom and craft, uses her persuasive powers and offers the Cailleach gifts in exchange for a drink from the sacred well. Eventually the Cailleach relents and allows Bride to drink from the well. As she drinks, Bride absorbs the essence of the winter solstice, gaining the strength to challenge and overcome the Cailleach’s dominion over darkness and cold.

            “While the Cailleach is often portrayed as a formidable and solitary figure, she is also credited with nurturing and protecting wildlife. In some tales, she is said to provide food and shelter for animals during the harsh winter months. This duality of the Cailleach’s character, embodying both destructive and nurturing forces, reflects the complex relationship between humans and the natural world.

            “Interestingly, some scholars argue that there is a close connection between the Cailleach and the Hindu Goddess Kali, both being representations of an even older, paleolithic Great Mother, linking these ancient cultures across vast distances and time. As humans migrated from India to Europe during the Neolithic period, they carried with them the collective memories and symbolism associated with the primordial divine feminine. This migration facilitated the transmission of cultural beliefs and mythologies, including the reverence for the Great Mother archetype. The commonalities observed in the representations of these powerful female deities suggest a shared ancestral lineage rooted in the Paleolithic era.”

            The next Goddess is Perchta. “Perchta, also known as Berchta or Frau Perchta, is another mythical figure from Germanic folklore associated with the winter season. She is often depicted as a fearsome and powerful woman, both beautiful and terrifying. Perchta is believed to wander the Earth during the Twelve Days of Christmas, from December 25th to January 6th in the Northern Hemisphere, overseeing the behavior of people and the cleanliness of their homes. At this time of year, people would leave offerings of food, such as bread or porridge, for Perchta to ensure her favor and protection. She is often celebrated in winter festivals, where her presence is acknowledged through songs, dances, and customs.

            “Similar to Frau Holle, Perchta is associated with both the reward of good deeds and the punishment of misdeeds. However, her wrath for those who have been lazy, selfish, or dishonest is generally rather violent, with gory consequences…She is particularly known for her focus on spinning and weaving, and those who neglect their spinning during the winter season may find their spindles tangled or their thread cut as a sign of her disapproval… if she is feeling benevolent. In some traditions, Perchta is believed to have the ability to transform into a beautiful white swan or a haggard old woman, symbolizing the dual nature of her character. She is associated with the concept of duality, representing the transition between life and death, light and darkness, and the changing seasons.

            “While Perchta is primarily associated with the Twelve Nights and the Winter Solstice, there is a fascinating connection between her and the Wild Hunt in some folklore traditions. The Wild Hunt is a mythological event in which a spectral group of hunters, often led by a supernatural figure, rides through the night sky or across the land. In certain regions of Central Europe, including Germany and Austria, Perchta is believed to be the leader of the Wild Hunt during the winter season. She is said to ride through the night with her followers, which may include spirits of the dead or other supernatural beings, creating an awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying spectacle. This connection between Perchta and the Wild Hunt further emphasizes her role as a powerful and enigmatic figure associated with the liminal time of winter.”

            Our fourth and final Goddess is Skaði. “Skaði, also known as Skadhi, is a figure from Norse mythology associated with winter, mountains, skiing, and hunting. She is a giantess known as a jötunn, often depicted as a powerful and fierce warrior. Skadi is the daughter of the giant Thiazi and becomes a significant figure in the Norse pantheon through her marriage to the god Njord.

            “Skaði’s story is rooted in revenge and a desire for justice. Her father was killed by the gods, and she sought retribution. As compensation, the gods offered her a husband of her choice from their ranks, as well as the ability to choose her own dwelling. Skadi chose Njord, the god of the sea and abundance, but their contrasting natures and preferences eventually led to their separation.

            “Skaði is closely associated with the winter season, embodying its harshness, coldness, and the challenges it presents. She is often depicted in winter attire, wearing furs and carrying a bow and arrows. Skadi is known for her skill in skiing and hunting, and she is considered the patron of winter sports and activities. Her presence is believed to bring snowfall, icy winds, and the stillness of frozen landscapes.

            “Skadi’s significance extends beyond winter. As a goddess of mountains and wilderness, she represents the strength and resilience needed to endure challenging environments.”

            Now, here we are, asking what do these Goddesses remind us of? In popular folklore, the first that comes to mind is The Snow Queen. That figure, a derivation of these Mothers of Winter, is a harsh figure: aloof, icy, unemotional, and stoic. With the saving of the young boy in the story by his best friend, it reminds the reader that love is the cure for a frozen heart—and the icy egoism that plagues our lives. For when we find solace and comfort in the loving of others, we not only love ourselves, but also lead our lives with spirit rather than ego. 

            Further, these Goddesses remind us all to endure the challenges of life. Much like Summer represents the highs and successes and joys of our days, so too does Winter parallel our deepest, darkest moments. Yet, so too does Winter suggest a retreat into hermitage, to find and reconnect with the inner life and world of our being, to once again travel back into the light—new and reimagined. 

            Connect with these Great Mothers by journeying outside, into the Winter weather. Bring offerings of evergreen boughs; dark crystals, like malachite, obisidian, onyx, or smoky quartz; bring heavy alcohols and wines, like cabernet sauvignons and smoky whiskeys and bourbons; burn pine and balsam fir-scented incense and candles; and bake herby breads and chocolately desserts to scatter under the stark trees. Kneel in prayer and offer your breath to these Old Ones, visualizing it blending into the winter winds and carrying a part of your spirit to the Mothers of Winter.             

            Write a song or poem and either bury it beneath the roots of a pine tree or sing it softly into the winter winds. Meditate on the power of Winter and journey alongside these Goddesses in your inner sight. Grab a black candle and write the name of the Goddess you wish to reach, allowing it to burn down in your sacred circle while you slowly chant her name over and over again. 

            On their specific feast days, dress as you imagine them to be. Draw their power and characteristics into your aura and self while you embody them in your physical and outward appearance. Meet heart to heart and hand to hand in this way. 

            On a dark winter’s night, when the snows are blowing and the winds are howling—with the Wild Hunt flying overhead—go outside in your warmest coat and scream into the darkness. Feel the darkest parts of yourself, acquired over the past year and beyond, flowing up and out of you—carried away by the Mothers of Winter and the Spirits of the Dead. You are now free and safe, sacred and whole. Ready for the next seasonal journey into the beyond. 

            For, folks, the Mothers of Winter are tangibly here with us, in this present moment. 

            Flying in the winds of winter.

            In the gentle falling of the snow. 

            In the cloud-covered skies glimpsed between pine boughs. 

            In the street lamps that illuminate the icy sidewalks and streets.

            In the scarf-enwrapped couples holding hands in the city.

            In the elders sipping wine by the fire.

            In the telling of tales from mother to daughter in the cabins. 

            In the sharing of knowledge from father to son in the woods. 

            In the rites and workings of the witches. 

            In the hearts of the Old Ones and the Old Ways. 

            And for those of us who listen to the old tales, 

            And know them for what they truly are, 

            We know that our magick will always be stronger…

            Because of it. 

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            The stories, research, and production elements were done and edited, respectively, by me, Kieran, with sources attached in the description. Be sure to hit the follow button, on whichever platform you enjoy the podcast, and look forward to more content next week. Until then, seek the veil between the worlds and allow yourself to travel Beyond the Seas….