The Wild Hunt: Symbolisms, Meanings, and Folklore (Part 2)
Part 2: Frau Holle and Perchta; seasonal symbolisms of the Wild Hunt by Sean Jobst 31 December 2020 "Frau Gode" by the German painter Ludwig Pietsch (1824-1911) Continuing from Part 1 concerning the Wild Hunt, special attention should be made about the Germanic goddess variously known under her regional names as Perchta/Berchta in Southern Germany, Frau Holle in Central Germany, and Frau Herke/Freke/Gode/Wode in Northern Germany (Heath, 5). She is Vrouw Holle in Flanders and the Netherlands. All share such close associations with Frija, the wife of Wodan, that we can hypothesize they're one and the same - as is most pronounced with the Wild Hunt: "Frau Holle, elsewhere called Perchta, rushes through the airs at the head of her procession, and the people below either put some food on their roofs, or set a special place at the table"(GardenStone, 110). She is mentioned in many fairy tales and folklore. Jacob Grimm conceived of Holle as originally a sky goddess...