#folklore

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In German , it was a common belief that a woman should not leave the house for six weeks after .

While this is cloaked in superstition ("...or else the Devil will get you!") the end effect was still that new mothers were allowed to _rest_ for six weeks and recover from their ordeals.

Compare this to (say) the where women are only entitled to some unpaid leave in such a circumstance - and most only take a few days off because they can't afford to do otherwise.

Mind you, I am not saying that living and working conditions in previous centuries were great - as a rule, they weren't.

But there was a keen awareness among the working classes that people needed _rest_ from time to time - something that is often forgotten in this day and age.

https://sbc.org.pl/dlibra/publication/285527

Screenshot of the German folk tale "Der Teufel und die Sechswöchnerin" ("The Devil and the Woman who had given birth less than six weeks ago").

Had a "spin the globe" gig today. I love doing this program: kids get to spin, and wherever they point, I tell a story from that place (or in case of the oceans, about that place). It was great fun, and the (elementary school) kids were super enthralled by the spinning globe, finding countries, asking questions.
I am just proud that I could remember all the stories (out of 206) they chose 😅😅

Hestia, the heart of the home and flame of the hearth, embodies warmth, sanctuary, and steadfast devotion. She is the quiet presence that nourishes both family and community, her gentle light a guide to peace and unity. In every shared meal and in the glow of every fire, Hestia reminds us that the simplest of spaces, when nurtured with care, become sacred. She may stand apart from the grandeur of the gods, yet her essence sustains them all.

The statue represents Hestia, the Greek goddess of the hearth, home, and domestic life. She is often depicted as a modest, serene figure, embodying stability and warmth. In this sculpture, Hestia is shown standing in a calm and composed posture, draped in a long, pleated robe that covers her entire body, symbolizing her modesty and dedication to domesticity. The veil covering her head is a common feature in depictions of her, emphasizing her purity and association with the sacred hearth. Her raised hand, with the index finger extended, may symbolize the sacred flame she guards or a gesture of blessing or protection over the household. This peaceful and nurturing depiction reflects Hestia's essential role in maintaining harmony in both the home and the wider community in ancient Greek religion.

Folklore from 19th century Crete:

A caterpillar infestation hit the vineyards one year. When all else failed, people formally summoned the caterpillars to court, threatening them with legal prosecution.
When that failed too, women exposed themselves in the vineyards, hoping that the caterpillars would be so scandalized they would leave on their own.

Organic agriculture. No pesticides.

😄🐛

In German , desecrating blessed altar bread (or "host") is a fairly common approach when trying to work black magic (it's also a common part of antisemitic slanders, but it shows up in other tales as well).

And I have come across two folk tales where the sorcerers implanted the host _beneath their own skin_ in order to be able to access its magic at all times. How is _that_ for gruesome?

A plate with about a dozen pieces of altar bread. Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oblater_Alterbr%C3%B8d_3.jpg