The Lacnunga describes the nine herbs sacred to the Anglo-Saxons, but what is
not as well known is that the Pennsylvania Deitsch have their own sacred nine, Neine Heiliche
Gegreider.
Three come from wood (Dogwood, Elder, Wintergreen). Three come from the fields (Fimffingergraut or Cinquefoil, Catnip, Ground Ivy), and three from the garden (Horehound, Sage, and Thyme). In Urglaawe, these herbs are gathered after Wonnet 15 (May 15).
Those that come from wood can include many parts of the plant.
Wood
Dogwood (Deitsch: Hundsholz): Cornus
Florida
Elder (Deitsch: Hollerbeer): Sambucus
nigra but also Sambucus canadensis
Wintergreen (Deitsch: Bruschttee),
a.k.a. Teaberry (Buchsbeer) Gaultheria
procumbens but also the distantly related
Chimaphila umbellata (Pipsissewa;
Deitsch: Gehlwassergraut)
Field
Cinquefoil (Deitsch: Fimffingergraut):
The Nine Sacred Herbs of Braucherei and Urglaawe
Potentilla reptans or Potentilla canadensis
Catnip (Deitsch: Katzegraut): Nepeta cataria
Ground Ivy (Deitsch: Grundelreewe):
Glechoma hederacea
Garden
Horehound (Deitsch: Edann): Marrubium vulgare; other species
Sage (Deitsch: Groddebalsem; Salwetee): Salvia officinalis and many
other varieties
Thyme (Deitsch: Gwendel): Many varieties, but especially Thymus
pulegioides ("Pennsylvania Dutch Tea"; Deitsch: Deitscher Tee)
The Fimffingergraut is already taking off rapidly in the garden, and the Ground
Ivy and Catnip are beginning to raise their leaves above the ground. Some of
my sage and thyme never went away.
One thing that is interesting to note is that Mugwort (Aldi Fraa; Artemisia
vulgaris and other species) is mentioned in The Lacnunga but is omitted from the Deitsch sacred herbs list... yet in Braucherei and Urglaawe, Mugwort is
probably the most commonly used sacred herb. It has a standing of its
own. Holle is represented in the Nine Sacred Herbs by Elder.
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