In pre-Christian Germany, The Goddess of Winter is called Holde. Like many other winter representations, She appears beautiful and white as snow or as an elderly Crone. To me, The duality of these two images expresses the seasons beauty and uncertainty. And Her transition from youth to old age is a reassurance that winter will die and give birth to spring.
Today, I would like to highlight Mother Holde’s role as the guardian of children. As the death crone, She guards the souls of children and infants who have passed during the harsh, deadly winter. She is also used by parents to warn children to be good, or she will get them, since, according to legend, she walks the land at the solstice and pays particular attention to children and young ladies. She is also known for her spinning and weaving, which is probably a vestige of the nordic Friga and Freya deities. There are as many traditions and stories throughout northern Europe about Holde as there are valleys in the Alps. She also has many names (see list).
Holde in some regions is one of the few female spirits invoked to lead the Hunt, and in one version of the legend her followers in the Hunt are the children she keeps safe. This vision hit me so strongly that I had to stop and create art (see pictures). One of the wonderful things about this season is we have more time indoors to read, reflect, and follow new creative paths was we await Spring. May the Winter Goddess inspire you to explore your imagination also.
Holde Germanic Variants
- Hulda
- Holda
- Holle
- Holla
- Perchta
- Berchta
- Frau Holle
- Dunkle Großmutter (Dark Grandmother)
- Weisse Frau (White Lady)
- Mother Hulda
- Strigam Holdam (the witch Holda)
- Dame Hulde
- Hludana
- Frau Gauden
- The Spillaholle\Spindelholle