The Guilds of Practitioners

This blog is written and maintained by members of the Oley Freindschaft Guild of Braucherei Practitioners and of the Guild of Urglaawe Braucherei and Hexerei Practitioners.


The Oley Freindschaft recognizes the totality of the practice of Braucherei, which includes the contexts of Christianity and of Urglaawe.

The Guild of Urglaawe Braucherei and Hexerei Practitioners is dedicated to the advancement of these traditions within the Urglaawe context.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Hollerbeer Haven Issues

The Summer and Fall 2013 issues of Hollerbeer Haven are now available in the Files section. We're currently working on the Winter 2014 issue.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

An Example of Heilreiwing

This is a topic that seldom, if ever, has appeared in writing before. This aspect of Braucherei has been almost thoroughly eliminated due to legal complications and licensing... and perhaps due to the complications of the esoteric aspects of this seemingly physical practice. I present this in the context of use within the parameters of the law. Per the ethics of Braucherei, no money is ever to be charged for the practice of Braucherei.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational and discussion purposes only. Nothing in these posts is intended to constitute, or should be considered, medical advice or to serve as a substitute for the advice of a physician or other qualified health care provider or licensed massage therapist. The aerial parts of Solomon's Seal can  be toxic when consumed internally. Please consult with a licensed medical professional.

Heilreiwing translates roughly to Therapeutic Massage. It may be the massage of the whole body or of one particular part of the body. This form of Braucherei adds physical contact to the Energetic Healing (Meggeheilkunscht) or Sympathetic Healing (Aafehlheilkunscht) aspects of the practice.

I chose to present this example today because I had just finished describing on the Blanzeheilkunscht site the use of Siggelwatzel (Solomon's Seal) for healing connective tissue. After completing that article, I realized that, while I described the application of the salve to my own elbow, I did not describe how that salve could be used in conjunction with Heilreiwing to help another to heal.

It is very difficult for one to use many aspects of Braucherei on oneself. Some incantations, runes, and certainly herbal remedies may be applied, yes, but the transmission of healing energy from one to oneself is more difficult. Similarly, it is difficult for a person to give him- or herself a massage with the same effectiveness as if one receives a massage from another person. The transmission of energy does make a difference.

The Deitsch term for "massage" is "Reiwing," which literally translates to "rubbing." A Reiwing would be a typical massage that one thinks of when going to a massage therapist or when a loved one helps to ease the pain of a sore muscle.

A "Heilreiwing" involves more. It can include other aspects of Braucherei, particularly the energetic or sympathetic healing forms. The example below takes place in the Urglaawe context and includes the use of elemental runes. This is how I practice Heilreiwing, and, so far as I know, I am one of only four Brauchers who know or use this practice currently.

Setting

The client is a male in his mid-forties. He complains of dull aches in his left elbow and left pinky with a seemingly related dull ache in his neck. He works in a physically demanding job that includes repetitive motion.

The first thing that came to his mind was carpal tunnel syndrome due to the repetitive motion of his job. This is indeed a possibility, and I advised him to see a medical professional to check out that possibility.

The client requested help via the Heilreiwing, and I stated the appropriate disclaimers necessary. He requested that the Heilreiwing be conducted in the traditional manner of Braucherei in the Urglaawe context.

Die Effning (The Opening)

For a physical session such as Heilreiwing, I typically switch up the Effning from the usual Fire or Water runes to the proactive Spirit rune, Hagalaz. While most any rune would work to do the opening in a Heilreiwing, I find that the spirit of Hagalaz strikes a balance with the physical body. Additionally, in the case of the limited Heilreiwing in this practice, the spirit of the Hagalaz rune opening can direct me towards the thymus gland if there is an emotional or spiritual issue at the root of the physically manifested problem.


The opening with Spirit most frequently utilizes the left hand drawing the Hagalaz rune over the pineal gland. I make a fist with the left hand, leaving only the thumb standing upright (like a "thumbs up!" sign). The form of the Hagalaz rune used for this purpose is that of the Elder Futhark.

I envision the Hagalaz rune -- vibrant and in motion -- in my mind's eye.  Beginning about three inches above the client's head with the hands together, I chant the Hagalaz rune aloud, and then I open my hands and follow the outline of the client's head. I then return the hands to the starting position. This is done three times, and then the main Braucherei chants begin.


Die Suchung (The Seeking)

Due to the nature of his complaints, the decision was to focus on the left hand, arm, neck, and shoulder, unless the Suchung led to needs in other parts of the body.

The Suchung is used in Meggeheilkunscht (Energetic Healing) is similar to the Suchung used in Heilreiwing. The Suchung in Energetic Healing makes use of the overall circuit of passing the hands over the body to identify where problem areas are. In the Urglaawe context, this also includes seeking out any elements that are out of balance and are interfering with the normal flow of physical and ethereal constituents.

Now this is where the practice gets a little more difficult and where the advantages of physical contact reveal themselves. On a normal human hand, the four fingers each have three digits, thus for a total of twelve. Each of those digits becomes a signifier for the presence of one of the elements. 

The assignment of elements to the digits does not matter, but consistency does. The  element assignment on a given digit on the right hand (proactive ) must match that of the element on the left hand (reactive). In my case, the upper digit on my right index finger seeks Venom using the proactive rune Eihwaz. Therefore, the upper digit on my left index finger seeks Venom using the reactive rune Thurisaz.

The lower digit on each thumb is neutral, which is a discussion for a future article.

It takes some time, effort, and practice to be able to coordinate the flow of the digits over the body while remaining in the meditative state. It also takes some time to be able to determine whether you're feeling an imbalance in a particular digit. 

I take each hand and skim the surface of the skin in the targeted area. I follow energy lines that emanate from the pineal gland outward through the body, and utilize each digit through this seeking process. After an initial skimming pass, I will pass twice more with increased pressure.

Then I will take note of what it was that I encountered in the client.

Heilreiwing

In the case of this example, I came across some physical knots in the deltoid muscles as well as a snarl of reactive Yeast energy in the tendons at the top of the left arm and in the left elbow. The element in opposition to Yeast is Light, so I envisioned the proactive Light rune (Raidho) in my minds eye and applied that energy to the site with my right hand while alternating my focus onto the proactive Yeast rune (Wunjo) to pull the snarl out with my left hand. 

I continued this for three passes from the neck to the fingertips on the client, and then switched to a general physical massage (still following the energy lines from the pineal gland outward). I conducted the physical massage of the site for three passes, and then I moved onto the next phase.

The next phase, since I had identified a physical knot on the client and also had taken his complaints into consideration, was to include the herbal remedy of Siggelwatzel (Solomon's Seal) from Blanzeheilkunscht.

I applied the salve to my fingers (and a bit on his shoulder and elbow), and I resumed the physical massage at a medium pressure. I began the normal Braucherei incantation (which cannot be published) and then added a charm to Siggelwatzel:

Siggelwatzel, Siggelwatzel
Die Brick iss schwach
Bau sie schtarricker
iwwer 'm Bach

Weh Weh
Weck am Geh
Zing!
Zing!
Zing!

It's a fairly simple charm, but the expression states that the bridge (Brick) is weak and needs to be built stronger above the brook (Bach; veins and arteries).

I make three, six, or nine passes with this charm, and then do three more massage passes with the runic applications.

When the session is over, I conduct the closing.

Der Schluss

The closing is the opposite of the Effning. Since the session was opened with Hagalaz using the left thumb, then the session is sealed with Hagalaz using the right thumb.


While this process may seem relatively simple, there is a lot of massage activity that takes place, particularly if the full body is the target. Also, a Braucherei treatment usually encompasses multiple visits, so the Heilreiwing can be a major endeavor. 

As time goes on, we will see more of this information emerge, and, hopefully, the instruction of my apprentices will allow for the Heilreiwing to thrive.

--------------
If citing this information, please use the following:

Schreiwer, Robert Lusch. An example of heilreiwing. www.braucherei.org, October 6, 2013. Bristol, PA: Deitscherei, 2013.

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Press Release: Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day

Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day will include a workshop on "Braucherei in the Urglaawe Context." The time of the workshop has not yet been determined, but we will post it when the schedule is confirmed.

This should be a great event, so folks may want to plan a day in Clark Park on August 31!

----------

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:

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

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



Tuesday, August 6, 2013

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.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Holle's Mill

This post is spurred on by an article in Denali Institute of Northern Traditions' May 2013 issue of True North. The article, The Magical Mill, referred to the presence and role of mills in various European mythologies, including Norse and Finnish.

As is the case with so many European folk religions and traditions, Urglaawe retains lore and knowledge of a major mill from Braucherei oral tradition. “Die Miehl” is by the hall of Holle, and it is in this mill that Holle takes the souls of the departed for processing between lives. 

The mill is said to separate the different pieces of the soul in order to release the returning components. In Urglaawe understanding, the portions of the soul that are released are the Urleeg (Ørlög) and the eternal Hoch (Higher Self; the divine spark). The Glick (Luck/Hamingja) is sometimes also passed from construct to construct. Additionally, the Folyer (Fetch/Fylgia), which, in Urglaawe, is seen as an independent entity that attaches itself to a new soul constructs, is freed to find another symbiotic host. The Urleeg, Glick, and Hoch may remain together or be separated into new soul constructs.  

The purpose for the milling is, in Urglaawe belief, to prepare the Hoch quickly for a continuing upward spiral of advancing consciousness. In the deities’ effort to thwart the forces of chaos (which in Urglaawe feature ignorance, apathy, rootlessness, and unenlightened self-interest along with the physical threats described in the story of Ragnarök), the advancement of human consciousness is one of their biggest investments. 

With each lifetime and variation in the interaction of the soul components, the Hoch is to increase its ability to understand existence and to assert its will into improving the existence. In short, the deities want us to be, at the end of this cosmic cycle, where they were at the beginning of it. It is, therefore, in the deities’ interests to keep the Lewesraad (the cycle of life, death, decay, and rebirth) moving along expeditiously.  

In fact, the Urglaawe view of the Wild Hunt pertains directly to this battle with chaos. In our oral lore, it is Holle who leads the Wild Hunt (though Wudan and She are often together, too). Her purpose is to find any souls that have fallen out of the Lewesraad cycle and to bring them back into it. She is followed through the skies by the souls that She has found or that have sought Her out. It is for this reason that the Deitsch culture associates Allelieweziel (Halloween) with the departure of Holle from this plane.  

In Braucherei, there are intervals in the spiritual year that the veil between the physical and spiritual planes (or among the worlds of the multiverse). Allelieweziel and Grundsaudaag (Groundhog Day), in particular, are times at which many Braucherei practitioners engage in soul work to direct lost or distressed souls towards the Miehl. It is also noteworthy that the same processes and cycles pertain to animal and plant spirit constructs, though they differ from those of humans.  

Holle’s Miehl plays a central, critical role in the purpose of human existence, purpose, and advancement. Many of us believe humanity is currently backsliding due to the dereliction of responsibility for one’s own advancement (another article unto itself), and it up to us to aid our deities’ efforts by striving to live our lives more deliberately, being conscious of the impact of our thoughts, words, and actions.

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Braucherei in the Urglaawe Context


This will be a discussion and workshop on "Braucherei in the Urglaawe Context" at Trothmoot, which is being held this year in California at Tehachapi State Park.
Registration at Trothmoot would be necessary. Online registration for Trothmoot is now closed, it is possible to register and to sign all necessary forms and to pay on site.
Friday, May  31, 2013, 1:30 PM PDT

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Awesome Little Braucherei Find

Sometimes the most amazing discoveries are sitting in our closets or storage areas!

My mother had asked if she could borrow one of the old family Bibles or other books that I have in my possession. I have several old Bibles and other books ranging from the Colonial period forward, though some are not in the best of shape, so I gave one that is in good condition; it is a Bible from 1844. 

This particular Bible had belonged to my great-grandmother and then my paternal grandmother. As we were looking through it, I found a little bag squeezed in the pages. 



This little discovery turned out to be a little Braucherei bag with a charm written on a piece of paper within it. The paper is in very delicate condition, so I have not opened it up fully, but it is definitely a charm, and I can see a fair amount of handwriting through the paper. 

When I get the paper opened fully and can decipher what is written upon it, I will share it.

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Another Incantation for Recovering Stolen Property


Der Dunner hot sei Hammer
Vun de Reifries zerickgenumme
Der Hammer zu Ihm gheert 


[Elhaz rune 3x] 

So duhn ich yetz mei Vollmacht 
Iwwer mei [Geld, Land, Bau, usw] 
Beyaae un errichte  [Tiwaz 3x] 

Ziu, Zisa 
Finnt mei Ursache wie rechtmeesich 
Schwecht em Feind sei Sinn [Thurisaz 3x] 
Un losset mich siechreich sei. [Uruz 3x]

[Elhaz rune 3x] 
[Tiwaz rune 9x] 

Heele!

---------------------

(English Translation)


Thor took his Hammer back
From the Frost Giants
The Hammer belongs to Him 


[Elhaz rune 3x] 

So do I now my authority 
Over my [Money, Land, Earth, etc.] 
Affirm and assert 
[Tiwaz 3x] 

Ziu, Zisa 
Find my cause just 
Weaken the intent of the enemy [Thurisaz 3x] 
And allow me to be victorious [Uruz 3x] 

[Elhaz rune 3x] 
[Tiwaz rune 9x] 

Hail!

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

New World Witchery, Episode 49

I was very pleased to have my Sippschaft sister and brother pass the link to Episode 49 of New World Witchery from 2012. This is an excellent episode, if for no other reason than the presence of the chants, a couple of which I know with some differences in the lyrics and form of Deitsch or German.

By the way, the word "Braucherei" is often pronounced in this episode as "BROW-chair-eye." This is due to the differences in phonological differences between Deitsch and English. The correct pronunciation of the word is "BROW-khe-RYE" with a primary stress on BROW  and a secondary stress on RYE. The "khe" is a phoneme that does not exist in most English dialects (it does in parts of Scotland, at least). This is the hissing sound that sounds like you're trying to clear your throat. You can hear it during the Urglaawe portion of this episode.

My apologies for the quality of my voice during the interview. I was actually coming off of a bit of a cold and had actually lost my voice earlier that day. :)

Many thanks to Cody and those who work on New World Witchery for this wonderful and balanced  piece of work. 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Hollerbeer Haven 17 - Winter 2013

The PDF version of Hollerbeer Haven 17 (Winter 2013) is now available.

This issue continues the discussion of Braucherei in the Urglaawe context with the first installment of a description of Urglaawe philosophy. As this is a complex topic, the next few issues will also continue this discussion.

The featured herb of this issue is Boneset, and, as always, news and pictures of Distelfink events are included.

This is a large file that is intended for professional printing, so please be patient during the download.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Incantations for Stolen Property or Oppression

Below are two sympathetic incantations and charms for dealing with legal oppression or theft.

The Salz/Salt and Bau/Earth incantations are sympathetic.

The rightful owner should take a handful of salt, rub it gently in his/her hands. Place the salt on a table. The owner may then separate pieces off from it while saying the first three paragraphs. No one else must do this because the later paragraphs would deem anyone else touching it to be a thief. It is not possible for one to steal from oneself, so the rightful owner must be the one to say this. If multiple owners or stakeholders were to be involved, then the verbiage would need to be set in the plural.

After asking Ziu and Zisa to let the Salt to be taken back, the pile is then reassembled.

The same applies with the Earth (soil). These both represent property and ownership.

The runes may be chanted or drawn.


--------

Salz watt weckgenumme
Es watt weckgelaust
[Othala 1x]

Salz watt weckgenumme
Es watt weckgelaust
[Othala 1x]



Salz watt weckgenumme

Es watt weckgelaust
[Othala 1x]

Zisa, ich bin waerdich 
vun meim Salz
[Tiwaz 3x]

Ziu, die Schtehler sinn 
Devun net waerdich
[Tiwaz 3x]

Losset mich mei Salz zericknemme [3x]

Salz watt zerickgenumme
Es gheert zu mir
[Uruz 1x]

Salz watt zerickgenumme
Es gheert zu mir
[Uruz 1x]

Salz watt zerickgenumme
Es gheert zu mir
[Uruz 1x]

--------
SALT 

Salt is taken away
It is stolen
[Othala 1x]

Salt is taken away
It is stolen
[Othala 1x]

Salt is taken away
It is stolen
[Othala 1x]

Zisa, I am worthy 
Of my Salt
[Tiwaz 3x]

Ziu, the Thieves 
Are not worthy thereof
[Tiwaz 3x]

Let me take back my Salt [3x]

Salt is taken back
It belongs to me
[Uruz 1x]

Salt is taken back
It belongs to me
[Uruz 1x]

Salt is taken back
It belongs to me
[Uruz 1x]

--------
BAU

Bau watt weckgenumme
Es watt weckgelaust
[Berkano 1x]

Bau watt weckgenumme
Es watt weckgelaust
[Berkano 1x]

Bau watt weckgenumme
Es watt weckgelaust
[Berkano 1x - links]

Zisa, ich bin waerdich 
vun meim Bau
[Tiwaz 3x]

Ziu, die Schtehler sinn 
Devun net waerdich
[Tiwaz 3x]

Losset mich mei Bau zericknemme [3x]

Bau watt zerickgenumme
Er gheert zu mir
[Tiwaz 1x]

Bau watt zerickgenumme
Er gheert zu mir
[Tiwaz 1x]

Bau watt zerickgenumme
Er gheert zu mir
[Tiwaz 1x]

Heele zu eich, liewe Ziu un Zisa!

--------
(Soil = Earth)

Earth is taken away
It is stolen
[Berkano 1x]

Earth is taken away
It is stolen
[Berkano 1x]

Earth is taken away
It is stolen
[Berkano 1x]

Zisa, I am worthy 
Of my Earth
[Tiwaz 3x]

Ziu, the Thieves
Are not worthy thereof
[Tiwaz 3x]

Let me take back my Earth [3x]

Earth is taken back
It belongs to me
[Tiwaz 1x]

Earth is taken back
It belongs to me
[Tiwaz 1x]

Earth is taken back
It belongs to me
[Tiwaz 1x]

Hail to you, dear Ziu and Zisa!

Sunday, March 3, 2013

Braucherei Zunftsammlung

Two Braucherei workshops were held in conjunction with Central Pennsylvania HeathenCon in February 2013.

The first workshop was part of the HeathenCon programming on Saturday, February 23, and the second was arranged for Monday, February 25, in order to accommodate a few folks who were unable to make the first due to weather.

The theme of the workshops was Braucherei in the Urglaawe Context. The workshop included the following features:
  • A Brief History of Braucherei

  • Braucherei vs. Hexerei

  • Urglaawe Rising

  • Expansion of the Runes in Braucherei

  • Discussion and Examples of Braucherei in Practice

  • Questions and Answers
We hope to have more opportunities to engage the public in order to share some knowledge of the beautiful and spiritual practice of Braucherei.


Sunday, February 17, 2013

Braucherei Zunftsammlung at Central PA HeathenCon

We'll be holding a Braucherei Guild discussion as part of the program of Central Pennsylvania HeathenCon on Saturday, February 23, 2013, at 1:00 PM.

Central Pennsylvania HeathenCon
Northland Motel and Northland Bowl
1521 Martin Street
State College, PA  16803
February 22-February 24, 2013

See also: http://www.meetup.com/braucherei

The topic of this discussion is "Braucherei in the Urglaawe Context," and the program is scheduled to last one hour with an additional 30 minutes until the next program item begins.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Opening and Sealing

Opening a Braucherei rite, particularly in the Urglaawe context, typically calls upon Fire, Water, Spirit, or any combination thereof. Other elements may be used, too, depending on the circumstances.

The opening with Spirit most frequently utilizes the left hand drawing the Hagalaz rune over the pineal gland. The practitioner makes a fist with the left hand, leaving only the thumb standing upright (like a "thumbs up!" sign). The form of the Hagalaz rune used for this purpose is that of the Elder Futhark.

The Opening (Deitsch: die Effning) with Fire and/or Water includes envisioning the appropriate proactive rune (Fehu and Eiwaz, respectively) in the practitioner's mind's eye while following the shape of the client's head. Beginning about three inches above the client's head with the hands together, the practitioner chants Fehu or Ehwaz (or combines both), and then opens the hands and follows the outline of the client's head and then returns the hands to the starting position. This is done three times, and then the main Braucherei chants begin.

Throughout the course of Braucherei work, the rune most frequently used as a seal (Deitsch: es Siggel) is Naudhiz (reactive Ice), particularly when the opening was with Fehu. Naudhiz is again used at the end of the session as a seal in opposition to Fehu. Mannaz (reactive Metal) is used as a seal in opposition to Ehwaz. In both cases, the right thumb is extended from a fist and the appropriate rune drawn.

Ansuz and Gebo may also be liberally applied as rune of the energy exchange to the client. The right hand applies, the left hand removes.

If the session was opened with Hagalaz using the left thumb, then the session is sealed with Hagalaz using the right hand.

As is the case with many aspects of Braucherei, the situation may call for variations on these processes. These are simply elements and runes that I commonly use in my practice.


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Sympathetic Healing Charm for Cataracts and Styes

For a cataract (es Aageheidel) or stye (Schussbloder), a sympathetic charm included the sufferer doing the following process for three days in a row:

Grab a handful of Salt and hold it in the right hand.

Go to a flowing stream prior to sunrise.

Using the left hand, wash the offending eye nine times with water from the stream, and allow the runoff to drain into the stream. Say the following incantation nine times (once per wash):

Es Wasser, Des Salz
Es Wasser, Des Salz
Des Salz iss am Vergehne
Glaarer binnich yetz am Sehne
Die Holle schteht geeich yeder Schaade
Kummt Sie mir un helft mir graade.

The Water, This Salt
The Water, This Salt
The Salt is ceasing to be
Clearer now do I see
Holle stands against every harm
She comes to me and helps me now.

Using the right hand, throw a handful of Salt into the water. Take nine steps backwards, and then walk forwards towards the home.

Runic Inclusions

The charm may consist simply of the steps above. However, one may also apply runes to the incantation.

In the case of a cataract, the trouble is due to age or degeneration of the eye, the cataract would be considered negative (reactive) due to the element of Time. Thus, I would utilize, using my left hand, the positive Time rune, Jera, to annul the reactivity of the cataract and to draw the energy out, disposing of it in the water of the stream.

Interestingly, Salt is the element that stands in opposition to time, so I could also use my right hand to channel in the positive (proactive) Salt rune, Uruz. The right hand would still dispose of the physical Salt, and the Salt energy would dissolve the drained energy of the cataract in the stream.

The nine steps backwards is a symbolic reversal of Time and injury.

If the rune is due to damage, it is usually considered to be a result of a reactive Earth interference. Thus, the positive Earth rune, Tiwaz, can be called upon, and the energy can be removed with the left hand.

There are times, though, when the cause of the cataract is known to be another source. For example, an injury resulting from a metal would respond better to the positive Metal rune, Kenaz. A cataract resulting from diabetes would be considered positive (as opposed to the negative/reactive instances cited above) and would respond better to the negative/reactive Venom rune, Thurisaz.

If the cause of the cataract is unknown, runic meditation, including the incantation of Dagaz and Ansuz, may help to identify the best runes to call to in the practitioner's mind's eye.

Monday, February 4, 2013

Charm for Relaxation


This spoken charm is a removal charm for stress (Deitsch: der Stress) or insomnia (Deitsch: die Schloflosichkeet):

Es Wasser, Es Wasser
Wann es Salz verschmolze iss
Sinn mei [Druwwel] aa zeriss'
Zing! Zing! Zing!

Water, Water
When the Salt is melted
My [troubles] are also torn to bits
Zing! Zing! Zing!

Application of the Charm in the Urglaawe Context

This description applies to the use of the charm in the Urglaawe context.

I always use the left hand as the removing hand and the right hand as the application hand.

When I say this particular charm, I often incorporate the Dagaz rune into the process. I use this chant most frequently in the application of healing bath water for the removal of insomnia or stress.

Stress or Insomnia

The chant calls to the water, but it also is seeking dissolution. Fire is the figurative dissolver of Water. Thus, I draw upon the negative, dissolving Fire rune, Dagaz. Let me be state once again that these terms do not mean one is bad or one is good. Either can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the circumstance.

Stress is an external affliction with positive energy, and Insomnia is a positive internal affliction with positive energy.  As this is a dissolution charm, I would add herbs to the bath water, and I would utilize the negative Dagaz with my right hand to dissolve the positive energy of the ailment. 

Towards the end of the bath, I would alternate the left hand action with the insertion with my right hand of the negative Water rune Laguz to remove the dissolved ailment.

Zing!

This word is often used is weakening, dissolving, removing, and banishing chants. The original meaning may have been, "zieh dei Gift," meaning "draw thy poison." Not all incantations of those natures use it, but readers will see it frequently.



Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Charm for Prickly Heat and Cold Sores in the Urglaawe Context

This spoken charm is a removal charm for Prickly Heat (der Nachtbrand or die Hitzpocke). It can also be used for a cold sore (der Nachtbrandzetter). It was traditionally fairly common to pair charms or chants with symbolic or sympathetic actions or with an herbal remedy.

Newwel, Newwel, Nachtbrand
Ich scheech dich ab mit
Der abscheechende Hand.

Mist, Mist, Prickly Heat
I shoo thee away with 
The shooing hand.

Application of the Charm in the Urglaawe Context

This description applies to the use of the charm in the Urglaawe context.

In my case, I always use the left hand as the removing hand and the right hand as the application hand.

When I say chants, charms, or incantations, I often incorporate runes (Deitsch: singular is "die Roon" ("rohn") and plural is "die Raane" ("RAW-neh")) or runic energies into the process. The runes chosen can vary from incident to incident, plus bindrunes are also always options. For the purposes of this blog post, though, I am providing a bit of insight into the process by using simple descriptions.

"Postive" Energy vs. "Negative" Energy

In the case of Braucherei, particularly in the Urglaawe context, one must suspend the association of "postive energy = good" and "negative energy = bad." The terms in English that I will use for this description are "beneficial" and "detrimental," but positive energy can be either beneficial or detrimental. Likewise, negative energy can be either beneficial or detrimental. This differentiation is important in the use of runes as carriers of healing or removers of harm, so it is particularly important in the practice of Braucherei in the Urglaawe context.

While some of the rune associations or magical uses of runes have been known to Brauchers and Braucherins over the centuries, I am indebted to Ulf Asgardson (YYggssbok, pp. 81-82. Bloomington, IN: Author House, 2007) for his succinct descriptions of the 24 runes of the Elder Futhark with his 12 "elements" of Teutonic magic. I frequently include these element associations with Braucherei principles and circuit functions when activating the practice in the Urglaawe context.

Prickly Heat (Nachtbrand or Hitzpocke)

For Prickly Heat, the term "Nachtbrand" literally translates to "night fire" and "Hitzpocke" means "heat blisters," so from the perspective of Braucherei in the Urglaawe context, two runes that I could utilize would be those associated with the "element" of Fire. These runes are Fehu and Dagaz.

Fehu is the positive energy source and Dagaz is the negative Fire energy source. Let me be state once again that these terms do not mean one is bad or one is good. Either can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the circumstance.

In the case of Prickly Heat, which is a hot and angry affliction with positive energy, I would utilize the negative Dagaz with my left hand to extract the positive energy from the site of the ailment. I would alternate the left hand action with the insertion with my right hand of the negative Ice rune Naudhiz to cool the ailment and to assert the need of the healing.

Cold Sores (Nachtbrandzetter)

For cold sores, which are hot and angry with negative energy, I could use the same runes as for Prickly Heat. However, I  typically utilize the runes associated with the element of Venom, which are Eihwaz and Thurisaz. Eihwaz is the positive energy carrier, and Thurisaz is the negative (or reactive) energy carrier. Thus, I would pull with my left hand the negative energy out using the positive Eihwaz and would apply, with my right hand, the opposite, positive elemental (Air) rune, Ansuz.

I keep the respective rune in my mind while engaging in the functions. I can either trace the rune over the ailing area, or I can envision it in my mind, pulling with my left hand or pushing with my right, as appropriate. More details of rune uses in Braucherei and of hand gestures and uses will appear in upcoming blog articles or in future issues of Hollerbeer Haven.



Monday, January 21, 2013

Toothache (Zaahweh) Incantation


This Blanzeheilkunscht blog entry contains a bit about cloves for toothache... This is the first entry to contain a small Braucherei chant:

http://www.blanzeheilkunscht.com/2013/01/cloves-for-toothache-zaahweh.html

I will post more chants and incantations as time progresses.