Back to Germany and Austria again!! This witch like creature is mentioned by Grimm himself, and thought in the Christian era to actually be working for God! She is a bit like the female version of Belsnikel; though she is FAR more dangerous. She both rewards and punishes during the 12 days of Christmas--these are the alpine version of the 12 days: that's 25th of December (obviously Christmas) through January 6 (that's epiphany). In Austria she actually shows up in Christmas processions, just like Krampus does elsewhere in "Germania." In other places she shows up in Fastnacht processions just before Lent. While she rewards the good and righteous, her punishment of "sinners" is just gross! She rips out the guts of sinners and replaces them with garbage! Like a lot of modern holiday creatures, she is thought to have pre-Christian origins that were more benevolent. She is thought to have morphed out of the Alpine Goddess of nature, who tends the forests and only "dealt" with humans during the pre-Christian winter festival of lights--the original non-Christian Yule! Sort of like the actual living winter festival of Romuva, which is an actual religion that survived the Christian era. Though it's listed as "neo-pagan"--the winter festivals held by various Baltic groups, never ceased--they even have one that shows the coming of Christianity to their region during the winter--and it's not a celebration! Not a pretty picture at all. It's too bad that she's just a character, because I have person in mind that has harmed my family recently that needs her negative attention!
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| Vintage Frau Perchtas! Lovely Ladies! |
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| What is thought to have originally looked like as a Goddess. |
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