Vogelsberg volcanic massif - 8 - Schleuningsteine ​​and Mullstaa.

The vicinity of Schotten hide well in the woods of Kölzenhain an eroded set of basanite together, probably a dyke, a rise of lava in favor of tectonic fractures.

Two different structures are discovered about a hundred meters apart: Schleuningsteine ​​and Mullstaa.
 

Vogelsberg - Schleuningsteine ​​- photo © Bernard Duyck 05.2014

Vogelsberg - Schleuningsteine ​​- photo © Bernard Duyck 05.2014

Schleuningsteine:  basanite, charasteristic of the intraplate volcanism, localised and of low volume, as columns vertical  with a height of up to 5 meters above the ground, form a natural monument.

Olivine and plagioclase cores are included in the matrix, and the cavities left by the gas are filled by zeolites.

A commemorative plaque in honor of the mayor of Feldkrüchen, Wilhelm Scleuning, designates the place.

GPS: 50 ° 33'38 .50 "/ 9 ° 10'39 .93"

 

Vogelsberg - Mullstaa - a basalt wall 6 meters high - photo © Bernard Duyck 05.2014

Vogelsberg - Mullstaa - the rubble - Photo © Bernard Duyck 05.2014

Vogelsberg - Mullstaa - large blocks among the rubble - Photo © Bernard Duyck 05.2014

Mullstaa, or Mullsteine, form a 6 meter high rock surrounded by scree of basanite, in which large blocks of lava fell. These lavas are of the same composition as that of Schleuningsteine, 100 m. further west.

According to our friendly guide, Mr. Müller, between Schleuningsteine and ​​Mullsta sites, the Celts have aligned blocks of basalt in increasing size.
 

Vogelsberg - Between Schleuningsteine ​​and Mullstaa, the Celts aligned blocks of basalt - photo © Bernard Duyck 05.2014

Local legends are linked to these sites and the cult of the goddess Holle or Hulda (Holda), worshiped in the pre-Christian era by the Celts.
Expansion of the Celts / culture Halstadt - doc. yves-van-nimmen.e-monsite.com

Expansion of the Celts / culture Halstadt - doc. yves-van-nimmen.e-monsite.com

The origin of its name and its quality are variables related  : to each according to Hel, the German godess of death (compare the the German word Hölle designating hell), according to other sources, derived from Middle High German Hulde, meaning "benevolent".

The supernatural character and legendary is ambivalent: the goddess dates back to the surface between December 23 and January 5, in the "Twelve nights period" should stop chores, to check who had been employed, or idle during year ... rewarding or punishing as appropriate punishment for negligent, reward for the needy!
 

"Holda, the gütige Beschüzerin" - "Holda, benevolent protector" (Friedrich Wilhelm Heine, 1882)

The goddess Holle is responsible of snow fallout in the  winter : more it seeks to shake his bed quilts, the more snow down here. This legend is included in the Grimm fairy tale, "Frau Holle".

Symbol of virtue and hard work, Hulda is perhaps the only Germanic goddess whose cult has survived until today. His association with the house and the women may be the cause of their status, often maligned during the modern period.

Sources:
- Special thanks to Lothar Müller Heern and his wife, for their valuable assistance.

- Vulkan Vogelsberg - link

- "Wanderung zu ur- und frühgeschichtlichen Stätten Oberhessens" – par le Dr. Max Söllner

- Holda, white Lady of winter - link