Lichtasenland Edition 1/2021

Otherworld Crossing
BETWEEN FAIRY TALE & REALITY
THE FOLIAGE MAN
In the old town of Ruhla, for centuries, in early summer, as soon as the forest was green again,
young people and children would go out into the forest and tie one of their boys completely in
green branches so that only his shoes were visible. A slit was left for the eyes, but the branches
protruded above the head and were tied together to form a point. Then the "little leaf man", still
draped with colourful ribbons and scarves, was led into the town amidst singing and joy. A kind of
spring festival with dancing and special old folk songs then took place under the lime tree or at the
market.
The "foliage man" is the personified spring itself or the old Germanic god of light "Baldur", who, dead
in winter, was now awakened to new life. This custom was common in the Thuringian Forest until
around 1840.
THE WUWWERBÖZER
Since ancient times, a powerful mountain spirit has lived in the mountains and forests of Ruhla.
Even at the time when no humans inhabited the Ruhla valley, he was the lord of the mountains. He
had power all the way to the tops of the trees and down into the depths where precious ores and
wonderful treasures lay. In his subterranean kingdom, which has a centre in the Ringberg, it shines
with precious metals and stones. Dwarves and gnomes, later called hats by the inhabitants of Ruhla,
were in his service. They collected the treasures, extracted and worked ores, and were active here
and there in the woods and fields. Later they were also sent out to help the hard-working people in
the Ruhl, the miners, smelters and blacksmiths.
The Ringberg is also the actual residence of the mountain and forest spirits. It is said to be large
rooms similar to a palace. From a pulpit on the unwooded height of the mountain, the area in which
the mountain spirit can exercise his power can be easily overlooked. In his realm above the earth,
he was the guardian of the landscape. He cared for the animals, the trees of the forest, the plants
and flowers in the fields and groves. He also played with them, as well as with the waters and the
rocks of the mountains.
When the people came to the land, he was not hostile to them, but always felt like observing and
getting to know them in their activities. He watched the miner, the charcoal burner and the forest
smith at their work. He accompanied the hunter on his hunt for game, helped the woodcutter with
his hard work, and the cattle farmer with cutting grass and making hay on the barren mountain
meadows. He drove the herd to the forest pasture with the shepherd, hiked or drove over stony
paths with the merchant, pushed the cart or helped to brake.
He could take on many different guises and was often invisibly present. Sometimes he did people
good, but he also teased and frightened them. Evil-doers, cheats and hard-hearted people were
treated bitterly.
People soon noticed the existence of the mountain spirit. When they thought they would meet him
or thought he was nearby, their hearts beat faster with excitement or fear, bubbled more violently -
they said it was worth it.
But the spirit also made it a point to make the wicked fearful by will-o'-the-wisps or sudden rushes
and gusts of wind, even thunderous blows - to bogey them.
That is why they gave him the name Wuwwerbözer - which was meant to express timidity and awe of
him. He can be recognised by his oversized figure. He is dressed in a wide-brimmed hat, a dark
reddish shimmering cape and a gnarled branch as a mountain stick. If he appears in another form, he
is not recognisable to people.
(Source: legends of Ruhla and area)
Otherworld crossing
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