For the most
part, the Dutch words “Witte Wieven” translates into English as “White Women.”
However, in the Low German language, spoken in northern Germany and in the
eastern portions of the Netherlands, the translation is “Wise Women.” No matter
how you translate it, these women are known as herbalists, healers, and prophesiers.
They were, and still are, highly respected in some cultures.
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| Cover Art by Shandra Kay |
In answer to readers burning questions concerning "Van Locken's Witch," I thought I'd share some of the Germanic
legends concerning these captivating women. After all, my heroine, Lissa Capoen
is a direct descendent of the Witte Wieven, and has inherited all of the abilities
of her revered ancestors.
According to
the myths and legends of the Netherlands, dating back to at least the seventh
century, mortals admired the wise women during their mortality and honored them
at and after their death. Once death claimed them, their spirits remained earthbound and
according to their pleasure, they could choose to help or hinder those they
encountered.
Legends tell us that the ghost wieven made their homes in forests,
swamps, hills, lakes, grave hills, trees, stones and any other object of nature.
In Drenthe, tombs were also seen as homes of the Wise Women. Many mistook the sound
carried by the breeze as the White Women busily spinning cloth and mists seen
in the night, were mistaken for their ghostly forms as they went about
gathering herbs, stems and leaves.
