I am a German Folk Witch, born and raised amongst the Harz Mountains of Germany. My practice is rooted deeply in this enchanting landscape, and I am eternally grateful to have deep roots here. My grandfather was a Förster (forester) on these mountains long before I was born, and my family have lived and worked there for generations.
What is it that’s so special about these mountains?
The Witches Sabbath in the Harz
They are the home of the Witches Sabbath! It is on the Brocken, the highest peak of the Harz, that the witches are said to gather and meet the devil, dancing, feasting and signing his book. This is a sacred place, and you need only stand on this majestic peak to feel the energy crackling. It is also home to the Brocken spectre, a magical illusion created by your shadow when conditions are just right. This mountain is also the home of Walpurgisnacht, a celebration honoured by witches around the world every year on April 30th.
And this is not some obscure lore. The beating heart of Harz tourism resonates around Witchcraft. You need look no further than the Hexentanzplatz, the Witches Dance floor, another mountain on the edge of the Harz. Here the Witches are said to congregate and dance. History tells us that this mountain was used as a Saxon cult ritual site, as was the Brocken itself. The mountains are soaked in mysticism and spirituality, both ancient and modern.
The Natural World
But it’s not only the history and lore that makes these peaks special. They are truly beautiful, a haven of the natural world, covered in forests and green spaces. Their very name, Harz, derives from a word meaning hill forest. Countless species of animals roam these dense forests, and it is difficult not to feel connected to the natural world as you walk among them. It’s impossible to fully describe the ecstatic joy of that feeling. Every footstep is magical. You honestly feel like you’re in the beating heart of the magical world, of something far greater and older than yourself. It is equal parts empowering and humbling, and something I wish everyone could experience.
My witching heritage comes not from blood, but from the very landscape I was born into. How could I not weave this beauty, history and lore into my magical practice.
Moss Matthey is a German witch, author, and cult survivor, born and raised in the Harz Mountains. He has experienced firsthand the liberating power of witchcraft, and has been set firmly on a path of self-discovery and enlightenment. He was mentored by Mhara Starling, author of Welsh Witchcraft and expert in Celtic Paganism. He now sits on the Council of the Sarffes Goch tradition of witchcraft which sees Mhara as its High Priestess. If you enjoy his work or have any questions feel free to get in touch!