My Cariboo Osterbrunnen

The German Tradition of honoring Water at Easter

Dear Friends,

I want to wish you a peaceful Easter weekend. As I’ve been researching various German Folk Traditions, I recently learned about the Tradition of the Osterbrunnen. Every Easter, towns and villages around Germany decorate a Community Well or Fountain for Easter. Green garlands are strung around the Well, which is also decorated with colourful ribbons and Easter eggs.

The Tradition of the Osterbrunnen originated in southern Germany in an area of Bavarian known as Fränkische Schweiz, or Franconian Switzerland. It’s only been going on since the early 20^th century, but is thought to be connected to an older German Tradition of drawing Water in Silence during the time around Easter.

Osterbrunnen displays from Germany

Both Traditions are meant to pay Honor to the Sacredness of Water. I immediately decided I wanted to do something to participate in this Ritual. I call mine a “Cariboo Osterbrunnen,” as my decorations lack the ostentatious delights of the designs I’ve seen from Germany.

I had no fancy garlands for the Well at our Homestead. I had just one lovely egg to hang on a bouquet of Local pussy willows, and bouquets of our own Wheat and Flax help to leave as an Offering to the early Birds. The single branch of Cedar came from a recent visit to Likely. I adorned the spout of the Well with a simple pink ribbon and a bundle of Red Fife Heritage Wheat.

My Cariboo Osterbrunnen Offerings: Willows, Wheat, Flax, Cedar, and other simple adornements.

After visiting the Well with my Offerings, I set out with my watering cans down to Timothy Creek, which provides us with all the Water we need to keep our Plants growing through the Summer months. The Creek is roaring with the Spring runoff, and I went to my favourite spot to watch it flow. In Silence I dipped my watering cans and filled them, Grateful for every drop.

I also took Time to photograph a Beautiful Gift that a Friend made for me. She recently began Creating whimsical woodland creatures from felted Wool, and gifted me a stunning White Hare holding a heart. I placed him next to the Creek, imagining his big ears could hear the rush of the Water and the surrounding Birdsong.

Look at him. Just look.

I hauled the Water back up the hill to share with the Baby spinach Plants, some of which are starting to Leaf out.

Maybe next year there will be garlands for the Well. I like the idea of making our own Osterbrunnen a yearly Tradition, to Honor the Water that sustains us and our Garden.

Baby spinach and a collection of Seed Potatoes. I'm going to be offering some special "chaos bags" of Potatoes this year, for people who can't decided what variety to plant. Chaos bags will include a little bit of everything. Just Plant them all and be surprised in the fall.

In the meantime, there will be Potatoes. Seed Potatoes, that is. Upcoming markets include April 27 in Lac la Hache, May 2^nd in 100 Mile for the kickoff of the South Cariboo Farmers Market, and May 3^rd in Williams Lake for their always excellent Seedling Saturday event. If you live in the area, do come out to celebrate the start of the Growing season. If you don’t Live in the Cariboo, I wish you wonderful visits to the markets in your area. Best wishes to all Gardeners this Spring.

Frohe Ostern,

Sophia/Mother Hulda

Bonus photo of felted Love Bunny in the Forest, because he’s just so perfect.