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[Hirut]

Some more info about Sint Donatus https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatus_of_Muenstereifel

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[Hirut]

On various herbalist and Catholic websites, I find hints at a rich history of this tradition. Here’s some information that might help you explore this custom.

The “Kroedwusj” Blessing Tradition

On August 15th, the Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, marking her ascent to heaven in body and soul. Mary, representing the feminine and nurturing aspects of the faith, is seen as the spiritual mother of all believers.

In many Limburg villages, a traditional herbal bouquet — known as the Kroedwusj — is blessed either on or before August 15th. This ritual bouquet, tied with light blue ribbons of seven ells in length, consists of at least seven specific herbs and grains, believed to protect against lightning and other misfortunes. The herbs are gathered on August 14th, before sunrise and only by hand, as metal was believed to break their magical power.

After blessing, the Kroedwusj was often hung in the attic or stable until a thunderstorm occurred. In times of danger, people would throw a few sprigs into the hearth while praying to Saint Donatus, the patron saint against lightning, or reciting the Gospel of Saint John — especially fitting since St. John’s wort is a common ingredient in the bouquet. This practice reflects the belief: “If there is thunder and rain, then the storm is blessed.”

This ritual is an example of a pre-Christian custom that was absorbed and Christianized by the Church. The act of burning herbs in honor of Thor (Donar), the Germanic god of thunder, was transformed into a Church-sanctioned blessing directed to God, the creator of all vegetation.

The blessed bouquet also had practical and symbolic purposes:

Fertility charm: In some areas, women hoping for children would keep a blessed bouquet. This is echoed in the Maastricht saying: “She has received her herb bundle”, meaning her wish for a child has been fulfilled.

Agricultural use: Farmers sometimes took seeds from the blessed bouquet and scattered them on their fields before sowing.

The seven components in the bouquet often include:

2 grains (e.g., wheat, rye, oats)

2 healing herbs (e.g., yarrow, chamomile, valerian)

2 protective herbs against lightning or evil (e.g., mugwort, St. John’s wort)

1 walnut leaf, as a symbolic plant with seven leaflets

Regional variations exist, but common herbs include tansy, wild marjoram, mugwort, wormwood, and tormentil. In some places, people also add apple or pear branches, clover, goldenrod, and Palm Sunday-blessed boxwood.

The number seven symbolizes completeness and is deeply rooted in both pre-Christian cosmology (seven classical planets) and Christian theology (seven sacraments, seven days of creation, etc.).

This custom, known since the 9th century (maybe even earlier ) ,remains vibrant in many villages, such as Tongeren, Eifel, Valkenburg, Klimmen, and Schaesberg, where outdoor masses still bless the bouquets each year.

-The Brothers Grimm (in their Deutsches Wörterbuch) noted the “Kräuterweihe” (herbal blessing) as a Christian rite with possible pagan roots.

-Kräuterweihe: This custom has been known since the 9th century [1] and has become more popular again in recent years. Typical herbs, besides elecampane, include St. John’s wort, wormwood, mugwort, tansy, yarrow, mullein, chamomile, thyme, valerian, vervain, and various grains. The tea made from these consecrated herbs is said to be especially healing.

-In Central Europe, this season is even known as the “Frauendreißiger” — the 30 days (August 15 – September 12) during which herbs are believed to hold the greatest healing power.

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