Today is "Waldmännchentag", Day fo the Bugbear, in parts of Germany and Berchtoldstag in Switzerland. Traditionally an unlucky day, one of the "Rauhnächte" (the "Bleak Nights"), the darker continental variant of the Twelve Nights, when the Wild Hunt rides.
#FolkloreThursday
#FolkloreThursday
English-speaking countries preserved more gentle traditions like wassailing and pantomimes, Central European customs hint at things older and darker. Rauhnächte are nights when the Wild Hunt rides, sometimes not led by Odin himself but the goddess Perchta.
#FolkloreThursday
#FolkloreThursday
On Waldmännchentag all forest work is suspended lest youl meet a bugbear (the "Waldmännchen") in the woods, woken from his winter sleep and that's really bad cess.
#FolkloreThursday
#FolkloreThursday
On January 2nd, you should not do white laundry and hang out your washing, Mother Dear, or the Hunt comes and steals it to make it your winding sheet over the year.
#FolkloreThursday
#FolkloreThursday
So, during the "Rauhnächte" and especially on January 2nd, it's still the time to watch out without crying and pouting for not to anger the bugbears, Perchten or the Wild Hunt or what else that's out there during the Twelve Nights.
#FolkloreThursday
#FolkloreThursday
After the "Waldmännchen"-tweet went through the roof... want yet another story? For bed-time? A bit of blood & thunder? Or rather tomorrow? Say something...
Began telling it on
