Guido von List: Part 33 - More on the Vehme star rose in German countries

This is in regards to List's "vehme star rose," which is a pentacle... a pentagram within a circle of nature; different than a barnstar or welcome star. While the barnstar represents the "hospitality" aspect of Heathenry, the vehme star rose is used for "protection." In the book 'The Tradition of Household Spirits' (Lecouteuz; 2000), Chapter 3 'The Openings of the House', page 51, it states: "In the Germanic countries, a pentagram was drawn on the door along with the naive inscription, 'If fever comes, I won't be in' or 'Fever, don't come in, so-and-so isn't here!' "

The first part of the chapter focuses on traditions and folklore regarding doors and the doorway, much of it from the Medieval German culture when old spiritual traditions had largely been eliminated or changed to new Christian meanings. I suspect, in some instances, there was a full 180-degree shift in the meaning; a Heathen, Hexerei, or other pagan symbol was replaced with a cross or other Christian symbol, or protective rites and charms from German witchcraft were changed and used to actually keep "witches" out.

From page 52: "In 1411, Hans Vintler remarked in this regard that 'many evil folk enter at night through locked doors', and we know from other sources that witches and spirits (Walridersken, Scgrättele, Alp, Mahr) enter through the keyhole, which should therefore have their keys left in them at night. Also from page 52: "In Appenzell canton in Switzerland, it is said that 'witches can slip inside through the keyhole' (Häxa chönid dör-ena schlüselloch döra schlüffa)." Another example from page 53: "To prevent witches from entering, a new broom should be placed upside down behind the door, and if a pentacle is drawn upon the door, witches will keep their distance (Swabia)."

It wasn't just German-speaking lands as far as the rituals to "ward off witches," but throughout mainly the Alps, and central and eastern Europe. It should be stated that these symbols weren't just scribbled on or above a door; they were beautifully engraved and finished into the wood. One example from the book shows a dark red six-pointed star within a circle with a white background, as-well-as a dark blue four-petaled "Celtic rose" within a circle with a white background; both perfectly melded and finished into the heavy dark brown wooden door frame. The red six-pointed star was not a rosette, but more of a standard "star shape" with the points slightly thinned out near the end. 


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7-7-19 ADDITION:

Now that we know what the Minnesinger Order was, it still leaves us with the mystery of the German Builders Guild and the German Heraldic Guild. There was a 'German Builders Guild' magazine ('Deutsche Bauhütte') which was published from 1897 to 1942. The name itself sounds like a type of craft union, or perhaps an architectural contractors association.

German Builders Guild

'Deutsche Bauhütte' was the title of a magazine for and about architecture, which was published in Hanover from 1897 to 1942 by Curt R. Vinzentz.

Its first editor-in-chief was the architect F. Rudolf Vogel. One of her editorial staff was the German architect and painter Konrad Wittmann (1891-1951).

The magazine had changing subtitles, such as the central bulletin for the German construction industry.

Supplements

The following titles can be assigned to the magazine as a supplement:

'Der Betonbau' (The concrete construction)
 
'Architektonische Details' (Architectural details)
 
'Studien alter Bauweise' (Studies of old construction)
 
'Raumstudien' (Spatial studies)
 
'Musterblätter aus Bauindustrie und Kunsthandwerk' (Sample sheets from the construction industry and handicrafts)
 
'Das Miethaus' (The rental house)

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