German Alraunas, Magic Prophetesses

The word "Alrauna" has been used for centuries as a German synonym for "witch." Historically, however it originally referred to pre-Christian Germanic women, also described as priestesses, prophetesses, shamans, and magical practitioners. Alrauna, appears to derive from the same roots as "rune" and "rowan." Very little information regarding the Alrauna survives. What remains derives almost exclusively from Roman observations.

All the German tribes encountered by Julius Caesar and Tacitus, firmly believed in the prophetic, far seeing powers of women. These prophetesses, the Alraunas, were considered sacred and sometimes divine. Here is a list of some of the most famous celebrities of their era; very little is known about them, but some names still survive.

* Ganna, "The seer of Semones," went to Rome in 91 Ce with King Masyas, where they honored the Emperor Domitain. (Her name may be related to the Old Germanic gandno, "Magic."

* Velda, sang (perhaps with Rune-Songs) the Germans into battle during Vespasian's reign (69-79 CE). She lived near a shrine by the River Lippe and accurately prophesied Germanic victories. Her name, also spelled Weleda, may be related to the root word for "Wisdom" and "Witch" and may actually be a title. She is described as a member of the Bructeri tribe; after a military defeat, she was captured and taken to Rome in 78 CE, where she was treated with surprising respect, and was housed with the Vestal Virgins. Allegedly, during her time in Rome, she served as a translator and negotiator between the Romans and various Germanic tribes. She died in Rome c.80.

* Waluberg traveled to Egypt with Germanic troops in the second century CE. (Walus is an old German term for a "Magical Staff.")

Blessings,
Lory

Lory Woortman is a writer, water color artist and garden designer. Lory is interested in the study of quantum physics, Norse Myths and Religion. She lives in a small country town in North East Pennsylvania with her writer husband, Ellis and her little dog Dixie. Lory has a blog and written many articles that are "Free," pertaining to Norse Mythology, Shamanism, Runes and Quantum Physics.

http://mistressofenchantment.blogspot.com/

http://www.olevikingshop.builderspot.com/

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Calling Up The Wind, Northern Magic

Calling up the wind has always been a part of Norse Magic. Before the availability of manufactured power sources, the wind was used in milling and transport. Until the end of commercial sailing, Norse seafarers in the Baltic would build stone labyrinths by the shore to ensure a fair wind.

When it came becalmed, they would row to a nearby island or coastline, construct a labyrinth and conduct ceremonies in it to "call up the wind." In some places, whistling in a certain way and direction was held to be effective.

Also, "dobbie stones", stones with a natural or artificial hollows in which offerings, such as milk, can be placed, have been used traditionally in rites for raising the wind.

The modern tradition for these stones is that they are receptacles for milk for sacred cats, and are sometimes called "Cat troughs." This is a continuation of the earlier practice which added honey to the milk, or substituted brine or ale.

Dobbie stones are stones with natural depressions, and sometimes artificially hollowed out. they are found near the farmhouse door, by field-entrances, and places where paths cross boundaries, such as stiles and gateways.

To call up the appropriate wind, offerings should be placed in the bowl from the corresponding direction from which the required wind should blow. The cupped surface is a reflection of the dome of the heavens, or the skull of the slain primal giant Ymir, and, by the law of correspondences, it is a microcosm of the circle of the horizon or the Rose of the Winds.

Dobbie stones fashioned from 'bones of the Earth', are an image of the skull-cup from which the warriors of the Northern Martial Arts would drink. Offerings like this are in the tradition of A'lf-blot, an offering to the Elves or the local Spirits of the land.

The sacred cats referred to are spectral or natural, and are the totemic creature of Freya. Apparitional creatures like the Exmoor Cats, the Surrey Puma and other sightings occasionally reported in the press may well be glimpses of these beings.

Brightest of Blessings,
Lory

Lory Woortman is a writer, water color artist and garden designer. Lory is interested in the study of quantum physics, Norse Myths and Religion. She lives in a small country town in North East Pennsylvania with her writer husband, Ellis and her little dog Dixie. Lory has a blog and written many articles that are "Free," pertaining to Norse Mythology, Shamanism, Runes and Quantum Physics.

http://mistressofenchantment.blogspot.com/

http://www.olevikingshop.builderspot.com/

View the original article here