German Witchcraft: Hexerei & Forest Magic

BY NICOLE LAU

German witchcraft—Hexerei—emerges from the deep forests of the Black Forest, the folk traditions of rural villages, and the rich grimoire heritage that shaped European magic. This is the magic of hex signs that protect barns, of forest spirits that guard ancient trees, of the Wild Hunt that rides through winter storms, and of cunning folk who knew the old ways. From the Hexenbesen (witch's broom) to the protective power of rowan, German magic offers a path deeply rooted in forest, folklore, and the fierce independence of those who walk between worlds.

The German Magical Landscape

The Forest: Sacred and Dangerous

The German forest (der Wald) is central to German magic and mythology. Dark, deep, and mysterious, the forest is where the wild things dwell, where magic is strongest, and where humans venture at their peril.

The Black Forest (Schwarzwald): The most famous magical forest, home to witches, spirits, and ancient mysteries. Its darkness and depth make it a liminal space between worlds.

Forest Spirits: The woods are inhabited by spirits—some helpful, some dangerous, all demanding respect.

Sacred Trees: Oak, ash, elder, and rowan are particularly sacred and powerful. Each has its own spirit and magical properties.

The Blocksberg (Brocken Mountain)

The legendary site of Walpurgisnacht gatherings, where witches were said to meet. The highest peak in the Harz Mountains, shrouded in mist and mystery.

German Folk Magic: Hexerei

The Hexe: German Witch

The Hexe (witch) in German folk tradition is a complex figure—feared and respected, persecuted yet consulted. Village Hexen served their communities as healers, midwives, and magical practitioners.

Services Provided:

• Healing with herbs and charms
• Midwifery and blessing newborns
• Removing curses and evil eye
• Love magic and divination
• Protecting livestock and crops
• Finding lost objects
• Weather magic

Hex Signs: Protective Symbols

Hex signs (Hexenzeichen) are colorful geometric symbols painted on barns, houses, and objects for protection and blessing. Particularly associated with Pennsylvania Dutch (German) tradition but rooted in German folk practice.

Common Hex Sign Symbols:

Distelfink (Goldfinch): Good luck, happiness, prosperity.

Rosette: Protection, good fortune, the wheel of the year.

Star: Protection, divine blessing, the elements.

Heart: Love, emotion, the sacred heart.

Tulip: Faith, hope, charity (the three virtues).

Oak Leaves: Strength, endurance, connection to ancient wisdom.

Colors: Each color carries meaning—red (passion, protection), blue (protection, spirituality), yellow (sun, abundance), green (growth, fertility), white (purity, protection).

The Evil Eye: Böser Blick

Belief in the evil eye (böser Blick) is strong in German folk tradition.

Protection Methods:

• Hex signs on buildings
• Iron horseshoes over doors
• Garlic and onions hung in homes
• Red thread or ribbon
• Spitting three times
• Making the sign of the cross
• Carrying protective herbs (rowan, vervain)

German Herbal Magic

Rowan (Eberesche): The most powerful protective tree in German magic. Rowan crosses protect against witchcraft, lightning, and harmful spirits. Never burn rowan wood.

Elder (Holunder): The witch tree, sacred and dangerous. Never cut elder without asking permission. Protects against lightning and evil spirits. The Holunderfrau (Elder Mother) lives in the tree.

Oak (Eiche): Sacred to Donar/Thor, represents strength, endurance, and protection. Acorns carried for luck and protection.

Mistletoe (Mistel): Sacred to druids, healing, protection, fertility. Must be cut with golden sickle (or at least not iron).

St. John's Wort (Johanniskraut): Protection, banishing negativity, healing. Gathered at Midsummer for maximum potency.

Mugwort (Beifuß): Psychic enhancement, dream work, protection during travel. Used in divination and spirit work.

Chamomile (Kamille): Healing, peace, prosperity. Used in teas, baths, and prosperity magic.

German Deities and Spirits

Frau Holle (Holda): The Winter Goddess

Frau Holle is the ancient Germanic goddess who shakes her feather bed to make it snow. She rewards the industrious and punishes the lazy, governs spinning and weaving, and protects women and children.

Mythology: In the fairy tale, a girl falls down a well into Frau Holle's realm. By working hard and shaking the feather bed (making snow), she's rewarded with gold. Her lazy sister is punished with pitch.

Associations: Winter, snow, spinning, weaving, wells, the underworld, justice, domestic work, women's mysteries.

Sacred Sites: Wells, especially in Hesse. The Frau Holle Pond (Frau-Holle-Teich) is a pilgrimage site.

Working with Frau Holle: Honor her in winter, especially during snowfall. Invoke her for justice, protection of women and children, and blessing domestic work. Offerings of bread, milk, and handspun thread.

Donar/Thor: Thunder God

The Germanic thunder god, protector against chaos and evil. His hammer Mjölnir consecrates and protects.

Associations: Thunder, lightning, protection, strength, oak trees, goats.

Symbols: Hammer, oak, thunder, goats.

Working with Donar: Invoke for protection, strength, consecration. Wear hammer amulets, honor oak trees.

Wotan/Odin: The Wild Hunter

The All-Father, god of wisdom, magic, poetry, and the Wild Hunt. In German tradition, he leads the Wild Hunt through winter storms.

The Wild Hunt: A spectral procession of spirits, the dead, and supernatural beings led by Wotan, riding through the sky during winter storms. Seeing the Wild Hunt is an omen, and being caught outside during it is dangerous.

Associations: Wisdom, magic, poetry, war, the dead, ravens, wolves, the Wild Hunt.

Perchta: The Belly-Slitter

A fearsome goddess who checks whether children and servants have worked hard during the year. She rewards the industrious but punishes the lazy by slitting open their bellies and stuffing them with straw.

Associations: Winter, spinning, justice, punishment, the Twelve Days of Christmas.

Time: Active during the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 6).

Forest Spirits

Waldgeister: General forest spirits, guardians of the woods.

Moosleute: Moss people, small forest spirits covered in moss.

Holzfräulein: Wood maidens, beautiful forest spirits who help lost travelers if treated respectfully.

Rübezahl: Mountain spirit of the Riesengebirge, can be helpful or harmful depending on treatment.

Household Spirits

Kobold: Household spirit, similar to brownie. Helps with chores if treated well, causes mischief if offended.

Heinzelmännchen: Little helper spirits who do household work at night. They left Cologne when someone tried to see them.

German Grimoire Tradition

The Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses

Extremely popular in German folk magic, containing seals, conjurations, and magical formulas. Used by German cunning folk for protection, healing, and compelling spirits.

Romanusbüchlein

German folk magic book containing healing charms, protective prayers, and practical magic. Widely used in rural areas.

The Long Lost Friend (Der Lange Verborgene Freund)

By John George Hohman, a collection of German-American folk magic, healing charms, and protective spells. Blends German folk tradition with Christian prayers.

German Magical Practices

Braucherei: Pennsylvania Dutch Pow-Wow

German-American folk magic tradition combining German folk practice with Christian elements. Focuses on healing, protection, and practical magic.

Methods:

• Healing prayers and charms
• Laying on of hands
• Herbal remedies
• Protective hex signs
• Stopping bleeding, healing burns, removing warts
• Blessing livestock and crops

Rune Magic

Germanic runes (Elder Futhark) are used in German magical practice for divination, protection, and spellwork.

Common Uses:

• Rune casting for divination
• Carving runes on objects for protection or blessing
• Bind runes combining multiple runes
• Galdr (rune chanting)
• Rune meditation

Forest Magic

Tree Communication: Spending time with trees, especially oak, ash, and elder. Asking permission before taking bark, leaves, or branches.

Forest Bathing (Waldbaden): Immersing oneself in forest atmosphere for healing and spiritual connection. Modern practice with ancient roots.

Gathering Herbs: Collecting forest herbs and mushrooms with respect and proper knowledge. Leaving offerings for forest spirits.

Forest Meditation: Sitting in the forest to connect with spirits, receive visions, or work magic.

The German Magical Calendar

Walpurgisnacht (April 30-May 1)

The most important night in German witchcraft. Witches were said to gather on the Blocksberg (Brocken Mountain) for wild celebrations.

Modern Practice:

• Bonfires to drive away winter and evil spirits
• Protective measures for livestock and homes
• Divination and magic
• Celebrating the arrival of summer
• Honoring the witch ancestors

Johannisnacht (June 23-24)

Midsummer, St. John's Eve. Gathering herbs at peak potency, especially St. John's Wort. Bonfires, divination, love magic.

The Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 6)

The Rauhnächte (Rough Nights), when the veil is thin, spirits walk, and the Wild Hunt rides. Time for divination, protection magic, and honoring Perchta and Frau Holle.

Traditions:

• Räuchern (smoke cleansing) with herbs and resins
• Divination for the coming year
• Protective measures
• Honoring ancestors
• Listening for the Wild Hunt
• No spinning or weaving (Perchta's rule)

Ostara (Spring Equinox)

Named for the Germanic goddess Eostre/Ostara. Celebrating spring, fertility, eggs, hares, new beginnings.

Building Your German Practice

Create Hex Signs

Paint or draw hex signs for protection and blessing. Hang them in your home or workspace.

Work with Forest Spirits

Spend time in forests. Leave offerings for forest spirits. Learn to identify trees and communicate with them.

Honor Frau Holle

Establish a relationship with Frau Holle, especially in winter. Honor domestic work as sacred. Visit wells.

Practice Räuchern

Learn German smoke cleansing with herbs and resins. Practice during the Rauhnächte and for regular purification.

Study German Grimoires

Read the Sixth and Seventh Books of Moses, Romanusbüchlein, or The Long Lost Friend. Adapt traditional spells respectfully.

Learn Runes

Study the Elder Futhark. Practice rune casting and meditation.

Observe German Festivals

Celebrate Walpurgisnacht, Johannisnacht, and the Rauhnächte with traditional practices.

Work with German Herbs

Grow or gather rowan, elder, St. John's Wort, mugwort. Learn their magical and medicinal uses.

Ethical Considerations

Cultural Respect: German witchcraft belongs to German culture. Approach with respect if you're not German.

Nazi Appropriation: Be aware that some Germanic symbols and practices were appropriated by Nazis. Actively reject such associations and work to reclaim these symbols for their true spiritual meaning.

Forest Protection: Honor and protect forests. Don't damage trees or overharvest plants.

Living Tradition: Folk magic is still practiced in rural Germany. Don't treat it as dead folklore.

Conclusion

German witchcraft offers a path deeply rooted in forest and folklore, in the protective power of hex signs and the fierce wisdom of Frau Holle, in the Wild Hunt's winter storms and the summer gathering of herbs. From the Hexe who knows the old ways to the forest spirits who guard ancient trees, from the grimoires that preserve magical knowledge to the runes that speak of primal forces, German magic invites us into a world where the forest is sacred, where winter goddesses demand justice, and where magic is both practical and profound.

This is magic that smells of pine and woodsmoke, that tastes of dark bread and forest mushrooms, that sounds like wind through ancient trees and the distant thunder of the Wild Hunt. It's the magic of a people who never forgot that the forest holds mysteries, that the old gods still walk, and that those who know the old ways can work wonders.

Möge die Magie mit dir sein (May magic be with you). May Frau Holle bless your work, may the forest spirits guide you, and may you walk safely through the dark woods where the old magic dwells.