Formidable Frau
If you’re a fan of Germanic or Scandinavian folklore, you’ll have heard of the formidable Frau Holda. This powerful witch was not to be trifled with! Originally a nurturing Mother Goddess, over the years stories evolved that transform her into a terrifying hag. Despite this, she’s still an important feature of Germanic folklore. Often associated with the spinning wheel and the idea that she could weave the destinies of others, Holda was also thought to be a cohort of the God Woden, and one of the many leaders of the Wild Hunt. This ghostly gathering plundered the Heavens, thundering across the sky in a riotous stream of hoofs and hounds, collecting lost souls as they went. In particular, Holda was responsible for ushering the souls of the dead on to the Otherworld.