Tradition / Region: Luxembourg Mythology
Alternate Names: Walferdange Gnomes, Wichtelcheslöcher Gnomes
Category: Gnome
The Myth
In Walferdange, a man named Weiß was once plowing near the Wichtelcheslöcher, the Gnome Holes, on the Walferberg. As he worked, he heard the gnomes inside their dwelling calling to one another while they baked, crying out for more rusks and cakes.
Laughing, the man called back in their tongue, “And one for me too!” and continued his work without thinking further about it. That evening he left his plow in the field and went home.
When he returned the next morning, he found a fine cake lying upon the plow. Filled with joy, he thanked the gnomes and carried it home. The cake brought him good fortune, for no matter how much was cut from it, it never diminished, and before long the man became very wealthy.
One day, however, a poor old woman came to the house and asked for a piece of bread. The farmer’s wife showed no compassion and harshly sent her away. The old woman left in sorrow, and from that moment the bread began to dwindle and soon was gone. With it, the good fortune also left the house.
Gallery
Sources
sagen.at contributors. (n.d.). Die Wichtelcher zu Walferdingen. In sagen.at, from https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/luxemburg/Wichtlein_Walferdingen.html
Interpretive Lenses
Religious Readings
- Christian Ascetic Deep Dive
Philosophical Readings
- Nietzschean Deep Dive
Psychological Readings
- Jungian Deep Dive
Esoteric Deep Dive
- Hermetic Deep Dive
Political / Social Readings
- Marxist Deep Dive