I find it interesting that one source claims that the Catholic Church took Frau Perchta, the beautiful, youthful gaurdian of the souls of unbaptized babies, and turned her into the ancient, bloodthirsty hag. I haven’t found any other sources that support that. Instead, it seems widely held that those were the two visages of the same goddess. Personally, that’s the version I prefer.
I hope you enjoy this brief tale of the terrible, flat-footed hag of winter. And rest assured: Frau Perchta night is generally recognized in early January, so you’ve got plenty of time to finish your housework.
The wind shrieks, seeking a way into the house. You lay in bed shivering, wondering how your family can sleep through it. You can hear the trees tossing and clashing in the storm.
All at once you sit up: you left your weaving on the loom, and it is Frau Perchta’s night.
You clutch your stomach as if she’s already replaced your guts with stones and straw and climb out of bed, trying not to wake anyone. The house is cold, but that isn’t why you shiver.
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to The Purple Vale to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.