The First Book of Urglaawe Myths

After three years of engaging in interview, piecing together the notes from those interviews, and connecting dots in our folklore, we are pleased to present The First Book of Urglaawe Myths. There is, of course, a reason that it is called the "first" book; there are still more notes to pore through! Cryptozoological creatures, deity interactions, and ancestor interventions are all here!

This little booklet consists of eight myths, most of which have been published on the Deitsch Mythology blog in the past. 

All profits from the sale of this book go to Distelfink Sippschaft's operations, which include engaging with the community to find the myths, remnants of myths, and folklore that is critical to understanding the Heathen mindset in the Urglaawe context.

Blanzeheilkunscht

One of the most important aspects of the Deitsch awareness movements is the increasing use of the Deitsch language in varied contexts.

While there are Deitsch dictionaries, none of them has yet to capture every word that is in current use in the Deitsch language. One category that seems to be particularly lacking in most of the dictionaries is that of plant names. 

There are many old (and not so old!) books that contain the names of plants. These books are accessed along with the authors' memories and use of language among fellow herbalists on the Blanzeheilkunscht website. 

Blanzeheilkunscht translates roughly to the "art of plant healing," or "plant therapeutics." This is a website devoted to Deitsch herbalism. Several of the pages on the website list Deitsch, English, and taxonomic names for plants, ailments, microbes, constituencies, and even some old Deitsch units of measure. Many of these terms appear in no dictionary but are as much in current use within the herbalism context as many of the common food terms are in the kitchen.

The Blanzeheilkunscht site is only one of many that aims to advance the Deitsch language, culture, and mindset by providing insight into the modes of living of the past and the present. I hope that the readers find the information to be of interest.

Hollerbeer Haven 21

The Winter 2014 issue of Hollerbeer Haven: Journal of Urglaawe, Braucherei, and Deitsch Wisdom is now available as a free .PDF download.

Featured in this issue is an article in which Jennifer Milby describes the Urglaawe perspective on Heathen virtues. Although the article is referring specifically to the seasonal focus during Yule, the consideration of the virtues is applicable throughout the year.

An Urglaawe Thanksgiving Musing

I saw the post below (at the bottom of this commentary) on the Facebook status update of a friend. 

There are many truths inside this status. There are quite a few folks, many of whom I know personally, who are one missing paycheck away from losing their homes or cars, etc. These kinds of difficulties have many origins, including the current economy. Many aspects of these problems are beyond our immediate or even long-term control, and there are many people who need a hand up (not so much a handout) in order to get back on track. 

Some aspects are self-induced. We live in a culture that, for some odd reason, advances the chaotic force of rootlessness, encouraging people to shun totally any notion of being "too close to people" or having anyone "all up in my business." I can understand this to some degree, but, as a society, we are, to use an old expression, "throwing the baby out with the bath water." Akin to this rootlessness is the utter Blitzkrieg of Black Friday, which is now undermining one of major "connection" holidays of the year with the implied promise of satisfaction being achieved through going shopping. From the Urglaawe perspective, these forms of rootlessness are to be shunned because they destroy the very fabric of our social order. 

There are, of course, plenty of people going through grief, loss, or physical challenges that make the holidays rougher. Some of these are temporary conditions; others are chronic problems that are the largest challenges. Each individual has a responsibility to work through these problems and to attempt not to be defined by them. The wider community has a responsibility to recognize the existence of attempts to surmount these problems and to be supportive towards those who experienced recent challenges and towards those who are working hard to change their own definition of themselves in the face of adversity. 

This comment is meant neither to "rain on the parade" or to urge everyone to be more appreciative of their life situation. Instead, it is meant as a reminder that we all have a role in changing our society's mindset from rootlessness to a sense of cooperative interdependence from a premise of appropriate compassion coupled with personal responsibility. This may be a utopian pipe dream, but there are no rules that say all dreams have to be small or easy. 

------ Quoted text below ------ 

 FOR any of my friends who may be alone: It's important to remember that not everyone is surrounded by large wonderful families. Some of us have problems during the holidays and sometimes are overcome with great sadness when we remember the loved ones who are not with us. And, many people have no one to spend these times with and are besieged by loneliness. We all need caring thoughts and loving prayer right now. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy, paste, and share this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune. I hope to see this on the walls of all my friends just for moral support. I know some will! I did it for a friend and you can too! (You have to copy & paste this one, no sharing.)

Sei Limit

The original Deitsch cartoon most likely appeared in Der Reading Adler sometime in the 1880's. The cartoon was one among quite a few that appear in John Joseph Stoudt's Sunbonnets and Shoofly Pies: A Pennsylvania Dutch Cultural History (New York: Castle Books, 1973, p. 229).

Press Release: Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day

There will be a visible Deitsch presence from the Urglaawe community at Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day. Folks who are interested should consider spending the day at Clark Park!

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FOR RELEASE August 11, 2013 

Media Contact: Robert L. Schreiwer, 
philadelphiapaganpride@gmail.com 

Philadelphia Pagan Pride, Inc., is pleased to announce the return of Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day on Saturday, August 31, 2013, at Clark Park (4301 Chester Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19143). The event runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, rain or shine. 

Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day is a family-friendly celebration of the harvest and reflects a variety of Pagan, Heathen, Wiccan, and other religious beliefs and practices. The day's events will feature a variety of workshops and discussions on religious and cultural aspects from the various traditions.

We have an exciting array of vendors and performers who will exhibit their wares and their talents. We are accepting additional vendors, workshop leaders, performers, and children's activity ideas up until August 15, 2013. Please visit www.philadelphiapaganpride.org to participate! 

Entry to the event is free, but we do request the donation of a canned food item or other provisions for our beneficiaries. This year, our beneficiaries are the food bank at the Mazzoni Center, Forgotten Cats, and In-Reach Heathen Prison Services. 

In 2012, Mazzoni Center's food bank Mazzoni Center's Food Bank provided more than 11,000 bags of groceries for over 1,200 individuals and families. For more information on Mazzoni Center services, please see mazzonicenter.org/content/food-bank.

Forgotten Cats is a humane trap, neuter, and release organization. the organization also provides adoption services. For more information on Forgotten Cats, please see www.forgottencats.org. 

In-Reach Heathen Prison Services is a joint effort of The Troth and Distelfink Sippschaft to bring positive materials and messages to incarcerated Heathens. In-Reach also accepts donations of other Pagan materials and distributes them through alliances and partnerships with other Pagan organizations. For more information on In-Reach, please see thetroth.blogspot.com/p/in-reach-program.html.

A detailed list of needed donation items may be found at:

www.philadelphiapaganpride.org/2013/08/donations-info-for-pppd.html. 

Anyone interested in getting involved as a volunteer should contact us by e-mail at:

philadelphiapaganpride@gmail.com. 

For more information, please visit www.philadelphiapaganpride.org.

Froschmuun

Tonight's new moon starts the Froschmuun (Frog Moon) on the Deitsch lunar zodiac... By Urglaawe reckoning, this is the fifth new moon after the Spring Equinox. For those near lakes and ponds, the frog's voice is heard clearly on the sultry evenings of this time of year. Those born under the frog sign reflect their representative animal, starting out in one, small, quiet form and transforming as an adult into a prominent (if not occasionally overwhelming) voice. 

There are several adaptable signs on the lunar wheel, and the Frosch is among them. While a frog can live on land, though, it does depend highly on water for survival and reproduction. Thus, the recognition of humanity's use and conservation of water resources is a key folk-consciousness attribute of this time of year.