#braucherei

Nehalennia is a Goddess found almost entirely in Zeeland (Netherlands), but she's got a few altars in Cologne, and even the remains of a temple. She's a goddess of the Sea, Travel, Commerce, and possibly another Psychopomp.

Let’s talk more Folk Magic: the Fraiskette

Look at this gorgeous BEAST of a fraiskette she’s so beautiful…..

What is a fraiskette?

Fraiskette are necklaces strewn with amulets and protective charms given to pregnant women and newborn children to ensure a healthy childbirth and early life.

They originate from Germany (specifically Bavaria)

What makes a Fraiskette?

Most fraiskette are made of a red string or red ribbon base

They include various organic charms like teeth, claws, horns, antlers, beaks and even dried animal feet

They also have mineral/rock charms. The one above features jasper, agate and a malachite heart, as well as Donar Stones and fossilized coral and snail shells.

Finally, the include sentimental and religious amulets. The largest pictured above is a Breverl, but also keys, arrows, vials of Walpurgis-oil, small bells and brass depictions of the Mother Mary.

How were they used?

Each of the charms on the fraiskette corresponded to some medicinal or spiritual use.

The eagle talons we’re used to imbue courage to the user

The wolf and deer teeth were used to assist in teething

The Martin feet were used against rheumatism and cramps

The moles feet were used against seizures as well as cramps

The horse hair was used to aid in seizures

Snails shells for protection

The inorganic materials like red stones (amber, jasper, agate) were used specifically against menstrual cramps

Coral was used against blood disease (and is pretty significant as a protection charm in Dutch Magic)

Malachite was used as a stone against rashes and cravings

The fossilized shells are for protection of the bones

The Donar stones are for protection from lightning strikes and seizures

And I wanted to find, maybe some transcripts of the belief, in consideration that some of my beliefs actually overlap as I am SBNR (Spiritual But Not Religious).

If ya'll want like mysticism, ambient sounds, with a bit of metal, heavy metal, incorporating folk, pagan, and occult themes.

I am excited to share that my original artwork ‘Witches’ Night on Hexenkopf Rock’ is featured in the third edition of Ned D. Heindel’s ‘Hexenkopf: History, Healing, & Hexeri’! You can grab a copy for yourself from The Sigal Museum. It is an honor to be included in such a wonderful book that preserves a part of Pennsylvanian history and the history of Pennsylvanian folk magic!

In 2016, I unearthed a rare copy of the first edition of this book (published under a slightly different title in 1974, seen in the third photo) at my grandmother’s house and it is what inspired me to create ‘Witches’ Night on Hexenkopf Rock.’

Happy Birthday Nelson Rehmeyer.

In 1928 in my town, a witch doctor was murdered by another local man to remove a hex. He was instructed to take a lock of Rehmeyer’s hair and bury it 6 feet down; along with his book “long lost friend”.

He couldn’t find the book and ended up murdering Mr. Rehmeyer. He then attempted to burn the body and house down. Neither of which worked. Leaving char marks still seen on the wood floor today.