Crystal Aura Gaze

The “Pennsylvania Dutch” refers to the group of people who migrated from modern-day Germany to the United States and Canada (primarily Pennsylvania) during the 1600s and 1700s. They had a rich tradition of folklore, often passing down stories orally from generation to generation. The following tale comes from the book “Folk Tales of The Pennsylvania Dutch: Stories of Witchcraft, Magic, and the Supernatural” by William Woys Weaver.

Pulpit Rock

Johann Battdorff was one of the richest millers in the county. He resided in Tulpehocken Valley. Back then, as farmers paid bills and taxes in wheat, this essentially made Battdorff a banker. He could make loans and manage accounts for those who needed financial help.

At this time, there were many Native American tribes who lived nearby. One day, Battdorff ran into a beautiful woman who was a Native herself. He fell in love with her at first sight. Since he had been taught to speak the Native language as a child, he was able to converse with her. He proposed that she could be his housekeeper, in which she responded reluctantly.

The lovely woman explained to him that she was not interested in the concept of performing labor in exchange for material goods. She was a free spirit, raised in a community that believed that all spirits should be free, and no amount of goods could change that. However, Battdorff was extremely persistent. Finally, she admitted that her people were in desperate need of ten horses — and so they agreed to a business deal.

Little did Battdorff know, this Native American woman was actually a sage known as “Bear Woman,” who had magical abilities. Bear Woman knew more about this man than he realized, including how he destroyed ancient burial grounds and broke sacred stones in order to build his house.

When the town found out about Battdorff’s new arrangements, they were terrified of this woman. The Christians claimed that she was a heathen, a witch who would cast evil spells, and a danger to their children.

While Bear Woman was foraging in the forest, an English-speaking woman came to Battdorff with her concerns. As he attempted to dismiss her, she continued to pester him. The English-speaking woman pulled out a tin of tea and insisted that he brewed it.

Upon drinking the tea, Battdorff fell into a dizzy haze. The tea was actually a “verhext” — a spell. The lady went on the seduce him and suddenly, the two of them were naked and in bed together. Just then, Bear Woman returned to the house and was shocked and appalled to walk in on them.

Feeling hurt and envious, Bear Woman was overcome with anger, and grabbed the English-speaking woman by her hair and slapped her. Next, she grabbed some herbs in a jar nearby and scattered them over the lady — who slowly and painstakingly transformed into a crow. Attempting to grab her, the crow flew up the chimney and it was too late.

Bear Woman felt completely betrayed by Battdorff. Seeking revenge, she cursed him so that he would become an old man within one week and never bare children. Immediately, she left, and Battdorff indeed became an old man within that week.

When Battdorff returned to the church and explained to everyone what happened, they declared that the English-speaking woman must have been “Radda, Queen of the Crows.” Therefore, they concluded that an evil curse was brewing over the Blue Mountain.

Bear Woman fled to Pulpit Rock to live in the caves and become queen of the forest. A man named Glee Hans passed by one day and went into the rock to meet her, resulting in the birth of two twin boys. The Buschmops took pity and sent a doe to suckle the babies.

Upon maturity, the boys left the forest and came into society to live among the mortals, taking Dutch names “Tobias Raddemacher” and “Dietrich Feiermacher.” They reunited with their father, Glee Hans, who taught them how to become craftsmen to earn a living.

Pulpit Rock is a true location in Berks County, Pennsylvania including the cave in which Bear Woman is said to have lived. The figure of “Bear Woman” likely came from the Lenape tribe, although there is no known connection of this name existing in their mythology. It could be assumed that this tribe had a different name for “Bear Woman,” who was a powerful goddess.

This story says a lot about history, specifically interactions between the Pennsylvania Dutch early settlers and the Indigenous People. It presents to us a man who, blinded by greed and money, disrespects the Indigenous culture and history. He falls in love with a Native American and yet he views her as a business deal. It also shows how closed-minded and judgmental the townspeople were from their fear of her presence.

Ironically, as the community judges Bear Woman for her differing spiritual views, it is actually the English-speaking, Christian woman who ends up being the evil witch. But what surprised me to see was that Bear Woman had actually fallen in love with Battdorff overtime, just as he had with her. It seemed that her initial intentions were to seek revenge for Battdorff’s lack of respect for the burial grounds as well as his business-minded way of thinking. However, her response to catching him with another woman shows that she felt true affection for him and saw him as a partner. In the end, she does end up taking revenge, but not for the reason one would originally think.

The closing out of the story brings Bear Woman dignity, as she falls for another man and goes on to have children. With the half-human, half-goddess, twin boys coming into society, it brings a magical ending to think that their legacy didn’t end there. Perhaps they had children of their own, quieting weaving divine magic into the human world. And one day, someone might trace their lineage back to them and wonder if that spark in their soul was something more than mortal.