The Den of Discovery - Badger Tails

Hello and welcome to the first post on my new website, a space where passion for wildlife meets the intrigue of folklore. If you've seen my designs, it's no secret that badgers hold a special place in my heart. These creatures are not merely a motif in my work; they have evolved into a profound passion, teetering on the brink of obsession. I am utterly captivated by their rugged charm, visual allure, the rich history and stories crafted by humanity to enhance their mystique. If I were a witch casting a Patronus charm, a badger would undoubtedly emerge, bustling forth with stoic bravery and earthy wisdom.

Thus, it feels entirely fitting that the inaugural post of my new website should be a dedicated ode to these marvellous animals. This post isn't merely about sharing my enthusiasm; it's aimed at sparking a broader conversation about a creature that has ensnared human fascination for centuries and, right now, desperately needs our attention and understanding.

For those of us who proudly wear the badge of badger enthusiasts (hands up!), no detail about these magnificent creatures escapes our notice. Yes, we’ve all navigated the dense thicket of information on the Meles Meles Wikipedia page and have likely left digital footprints all over the Woodland Trust's dedication to these remarkable mammals. From their size and shape to their diet and lifestyle, we thought we knew it all.

But then, there it was—a question gnawing at the edges of my curiosity like a badger on a midnight hunt for earthworms: How has history treated our striped friends? Were they adored or abhorred? What folklore and myths surround them? It was high time to don my metaphorical explorer's hat and delve deep into the annals of history and folklore to unearth all I could about the humble badger.

So, my odyssey began—a journey that would take me from the rolling hills of the British Isles to the dense, mystic forests of Germany and beyond. My quest led me through a labyrinth of myths, legends, folklore, and tales aplenty about badgers. This journey was as arduous as it was exhilarating, with each discovery more fascinating than the last. My search history now reads like a fantasy novel's table of contents!

Through the mists of time, I've encountered tales that painted a vivid picture of our badger allies through the ages. Some stories were familiar, while others were obscure gems waiting to be polished and presented. I have compiled everything I found (and already know) into this post, for my fellow badger aficionados. Because, let's face it, our striped allies deserve to have their tales told, from their historical hustle to their folklore fame.

Join me as I share these stories, exploring how badgers have been revered as symbols of wisdom and cunning, sometimes even feared, across different cultures. We’ll look at how these animals have been portrayed as both villains and heroes, healers, and tricksters. 

First off, Neal's book will take you into the complex social structures of badgers, which are more intricate than the plot of a daytime soap opera. He describes the badger sett as a "multi-chambered residence, equipped with special sleeping quarters, nurseries, and even latrines." The detail is so vivid, you'd be forgiven for thinking Neal had architectural blueprints drawn up by the badgers themselves! 

And did you know badgers are quite the vocal bunch? Neal's observations of their vocalisations are a real ear-opener. He writes, "The range of sounds that badgers produce, from chittering and purring to growling and wailing, forms a language that is as critical to their social structure as it is captivating to the observer."

Of course, one of the most poignant insights might just be their burial practices. Neal provides detailed accounts of badgers burying their dead, and reading that particular page, it was heart breaking as he describes a behaviour that touches on the depth of their social bonds and their hygiene practices. He notes, "On occasions of death within the sett, badgers engage in what can be described as burial-like behaviour, covering the deceased with bedding material, thereby preventing disease and maintaining the sanctity of their home." This isn't just animal behaviour; it's a badger's way of showing respect and care, proving that even in the animal kingdom, there's a dignified way to handle life’s sadder moments.

So, why should "The Badger" scamper onto your reading list? Simply put, Ernest Neal offers more than just facts; he brings badgers to life in a narrative that’s as engaging as it is educational. Whether you're a casual admirer or a devoted badger enthusiast, this book will deepen your appreciation and understanding of these wonderful animals. It's packed with insights that will have you looking at every badger sett you stumble upon with new eyes—and maybe, just maybe, a heightened respect for the secret lives being lived just beneath the surface.

Now, on to what information I have gathered from the world wide web - and beyond! 

I grew up in a small village in Yorkshire, we had our own folklore, our own stories that perpetuated through the village, some were quite scary! but we did have one about badgers. That's the thing about folklore, sometimes, folklore is isolated to a small village, only the inhabitants know the stories - it isn't something google can help you find, I certainly couldn't find any hint of my story online.

so here it is..

In the verdant, undulating hills of the Yorkshire countryside, where the mist clings to the morning like a shroud and the secrets of the old world still whisper through the hedgerows, there was once a village that teetered on the edge of both the forest and forgotten times. Here, the villagers spoke often of a solitary badger, known as Old Bramble, who allegedly made his home beneath the ancient oak at the forest's edge, though no sett nor hole exists there.

Old Bramble was not just any badger; he was a creature of considerable wisdom and, if the local tales were to be believed, possessed a certain magical prowess. His black and white stripes were said to be marks of the ancient forest magic, a gift that allowed him to see things others could not.

One particularly harsh winter, when the snow lay thick upon the ground and the biting wind moaned through the village like a restless spirit, a young child of the village wandered into the dense forest. The boy, curious and undeterred by the old wives' tales of spirits and shadows, soon lost his way amidst the towering trees, his tracks swallowed by the relentless snow.

As night began to fall, and the village frantically searched for the boy, Old Bramble emerged from his sett. With no fanfare nor a sound, the badger, guided by his mysterious intuition, trundled through the underbrush and over the frost-hardened earth, his nose twitching as he sniffed out the faintest scent of the child.

The villagers, lanterns flickering in the icy dark, eventually found Old Bramble standing guard over the boy, who was huddled against the badger's warm, stout body. The badger had used his keen sense of smell to locate the boy and then, understanding the peril the child was in, had curled around him to share his warmth, protecting him from the freezing night air.

From that day forth, Old Bramble was regarded not just as a reclusive forest dweller but as a guardian of the village, a protective spirit cloaked in fur and marked by the magic of the ancient woods. It was said that so long as Old Bramble roamed the forest, the children and even the lost souls of the village would always find their way home. He would only appear to someone who was lost, you would not be able to find him or his sett otherwise.

As years rolled on, the tale of Old Bramble, the protective badger, wove itself deeply into the fabric of village life. Children grew up on stories of his wisdom and guardianship, and a new tradition was born from the whispers of the parents: any child who spotted Old Bramble or found his hidden sett was considered blessed with good fortune - though nobody ever did.

It became a rite of passage for the village youths to venture into the forest in hopes of glimpsing the venerable badger or discovering the whereabouts of his fabled home beneath the ancient oak. The elders taught the children that if ever they were lost and needed help, they should recite a special poem—a charm said to be as old as the hills themselves, passed down through generations in the lilting, musical cadence of old Yorkshire language. This poem was known as "Old Bramble's Blessing," and it went something like this:

"Owd Bramble, guard o’ th’ wood,
Wi’ thy coat so bracken good,
Keep us safe, keep us seen,
In thy leaves so bright and green.

When tha roams under moon’s light pale,
Lead us back without fail,
Throo’ forest deep and shadow black,
Guide our way, keep us on track.

Owd Bramble, wise and bold,
Keep us frae the wolf and cold,
Let thy spirit with us stay,
All along our woodland way."


It was said that this simple yet poignant poem when recited by someone who was truly lost, would conjure the presence of Old Bramble who would appear to guide them back to safety. I never saw a badger in the time I lived and grew up in Yorkshire, and I lived next door to forest and field. Then again, I was never lost! If I had been, maybe I would have met with Old Bramble myself.

The Story of Tadg Mac Nuadat and the Shapeshifting Badger

Tadg Mac Nuadat was a druid and the father of Muirne, who was the mother of the legendary hero Fionn mac Cumhaill. According to the tale, Tadg was in possession of a magical dwelling that was coveted by many due to its strategic location and the mystical powers it was believed to bestow on its inhabitant.

The story goes that the King of the supernatural Tuatha Dé Danann, desiring Tadg’s abode for himself, sought to drive Tadg away. To achieve this, the king used his powers to transform Tadg into a badger. This transformation was meant to be a curse, banishing him into the wilderness, far from his home and human society.

However, the king underestimated Tadg's resilience and wisdom. Roaming the forests as a badger, Tadg retained his druidic knowledge and understanding. In some versions of the tale, it is suggested that he continued to practice his magic and interact with other supernatural beings, waiting for the opportunity to reclaim his form and circumstances.

Meanwhile, Tadg’s displacement paved the way for his daughter Muirne to meet and fall in love with Cumhall, leading to the birth of Fionn mac Cumhaill, who would grow up to become one of the most revered heroes in Irish legend. Fionn's upbringing, filled with tales of magic, heroism, and transformation, was deeply influenced by the mystical legacy of his grandfather, the druid-turned-badger.

As for Tadg, legend holds that he eventually regained his human form, though details of how this occurred vary. Some say it was through the intervention of another powerful druid or by fulfilling a particular condition set by the magic that bound him. Once restored, he returned to play a role in the sagas surrounding his grandson, providing guidance and wisdom.

 

Dachstag Day!

Once upon a time in Germany, where precision is prized and folklore flourishes alongside modernity, the humble badger—let's affectionately call him Herr Dachs—held a seasonal sway over the people with his weather-predicting antics. This tradition, known as Dachstag, was not just a local curiosity; it was an annual event that involved a whole community's hopes tied to the behaviour of one particularly insightful creature.

Every year, the villagers would gather around the badger's burrow, breath bated in the crisp winter air, to witness whether Herr Dachs would see his shadow. If the sun dared to peek through the typically overcast German sky and cast a shadow, Herr Dachs, undoubtedly annoyed by the chilly brightness, would retreat back into his burrow, decreeing six more weeks of winter. Conversely, if no shadow was seen, it signalled an early spring, prompting premature plans for garden tending and festival preparations.

This quaint practice, which may sound as whimsically absurd as expecting a cake to bake in five minutes, was taken very seriously. It was a blend of pagan rituals and folk wisdom, deeply embedded in the agricultural rhythm of rural Germany.

Now, as tales tend to do, the story of Dachstag travelled across oceans, carried by German immigrants to the shores of America. In the rolling hills of Pennsylvania, where many Germans settled, this tradition found new ground, quite literally. The animal in question shifted from the badger to the groundhog, perhaps due to the greater prevalence of this creature or merely because it made a better fit for the local narrative.

Thus was born Groundhog Day, an echo of the old world Dachstag, adapted to fit its new American context. Celebrated with much fanfare every February 2nd, Groundhog Day sees Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog, taking up the mantle once held by Herr Dachs, forecasting the weather with a shadowy spectacle that captures national attention.

So, while the world tunes in to watch a groundhog predict the seasons in America, let us not forget that it was a badger, Herr Dachs, who started it all. This tale of cultural migration and adaptation highlights how traditions evolve and adapt, finding new expressions and resonances far from their origins.

In the end, whether it’s a badger or a groundhog, these animals remind us of a time when we looked to nature for guidance and lived by the whims of the weather they predicted. Cheers to Herr Dachs, the original, albeit unwitting, meteorologist, whose legacy stretches across continents and morphs into forms as unpredictable as the weather he once forecasted. 

"Smoking Badgers and Other Bizarre Woodland Tales"

In the misty mornings of the old woods, where the dew still whispers to the dawn, there's a peculiar sight that has tickled the fancies and imaginations of passersby for generations. From the snug underground homes of our stout friends, the badgers, comes a curious phenomenon—wisps of steam rising as if the badgers were inside, enjoying a morning smoke. Ah, but before you imagine a badger with a pipe in paw, let’s unravel this delightful mystery!

You see, these industrious creatures are not puffing away on pipes at all. The truth behind the steamy spectacle is rather scientific and far less scandalous. Badgers, being the tidy and fastidious sort, keep their setts cozy and warm with layers of bedding, which they frequently change and air out. In the chill of the morning, the warmth from their busy little homes meets the cool air, creating charming columns of steam. But where’s the fun in plain old condensation, when one can fancy badgers as tiny, old gentlemen enjoying a leisurely smoke?

Now, let's delve into a few more whimsical tales and sayings that circulate among those who stroll the woodlands and hedge-lined lanes!

The Astronomer of the Undergrowth

As twilight descends upon the woods and the first stars dare to blink open their celestial eyes, our stout friends begin a ritual seldom seen but often whispered about by the leaves. It’s said that badgers, those diligent diggers, come out under the cloak of night not just to hunt but to count the stars. They are the self-appointed astronomers of the animal kingdom, taking inventory of the night sky with a precision that would make any stargazer swoon.

Picture this: a badger, perched atop its sett, snout pointed skyward, its eyes tracing the constellations. Why do they do it? Perhaps they are plotting navigation routes for their nocturnal escapades or simply ensuring all stars are accounted for before dawn. Or maybe, just maybe, they are whispering to the stars, sharing secrets too profound for human ears.

A Tapestry of Names

Over the centuries, the badger has acquired a lexicon of names as varied as the landscapes they inhabit. Known affectionately in English as 'Brock,' a term derived from the Old Norse 'brokr,' which might have originally meant "grey" or perhaps was a reference to their marked and striped appearance. This affectionate term echoes through the languages and regions, morphing into 'Brox' in Scots, 'Brochlach' in Scottish Gaelic, and simply 'Broc' in Irish Gaelic, each name a thread in the vibrant cultural quilt of the British Isles.

Across the channel in France, the badger is known as 'Bléreau' or more formally as 'Blaireau européen,' linking the creature to the landscape it inhabits. In Germany, it earns the title 'Dachs,' giving its name to the 'Dachshund,' a dog breed originally bred to hunt these resilient animals. Further afield, the Japanese recognize the badger as 'Tanuki,' a creature of folklore renowned for its mischief and magical abilities, blurring the lines between reality and myth.

Folklore and Beliefs: From Witchcraft to Omens

The badger's role in witchcraft and magic is as intriguing as it is ancient. In the shadowy corners of medieval Europe, badgers were often thought to possess protective qualities against dark forces. A tuft of hair from a badger, especially when combined with a bag made from the skin of a black cat, was believed to protect against witchcraft. This charm needed to be prepared under specific celestial conditions—when the moon was new and Jupiter stood mid-heaven at midnight—intertwining astrology with animal lore in a potent mix of mysticism and medieval medicine.

"A tuft of hair gotten from the head of a full-grown Brock
is powerful enough to ward off all manner of witchcraft;
these must be worn in a little bag made of cat's skin - a black cat -
and tied about the neck when the moon be not more than seven days old,
and under that aspect when the planet Jupiter be mid-heaven at midnight."

Omens and Portents

Badgers have also featured in omens and portents, often of a grim nature. An old rhyme suggests a chilling fate for those who hear a badger call followed by the hoot of an owl:
Should one hear a badger call, And then an ullot cry, Make thy peace with God, good soul, For thou shall shortly die.

The Badger in Everyday Life

Beyond the mystical, badgers have been a part of everyday rural life. Their fur and bones were utilized in ways that now seem macabre but were once commonplace. Badger fur was particularly prized for sporrans in Scottish Highland dress, adding a touch of fierce elegance to the traditional garb. Meanwhile, badger bones, especially those from the male, were sometimes used in tie-pins or given as tokens to ensure fertility and prosperity in marriage.

The Fate of the Badger: Adoration and Adversity

Throughout history, badgers have been both adored and abhorred, woven into our folklore and rural life with a richness that spans both affection and aversion. Yet, it seems they have never been as persecuted as they are in contemporary times, where they find themselves at the centre of a deeply contentious debate.

In the United Kingdom, badgers have been culled in significant numbers under policies aimed at controlling the spread of bovine tuberculosis (TB) to cattle—a practice that has sparked considerable controversy and debate. The culling began in earnest in 2013, and since then, tens of thousands of badgers have been killed. Official figures and estimates suggest that the number may have exceeded 250,000 by the end of 2023, a staggering toll for a creature so deeply ingrained in our cultural and natural heritage.

Recent studies and scientific reviews have increasingly questioned the efficacy of badger culling in controlling TB in cattle. Research indicates that badgers are not the primary vectors of the disease that many had feared, and the transmission dynamics are far more complex, involving multiple wildlife species and interactions with livestock. 

The badger, a creature that has roamed our lands for millions of years and around which we have spun such incredible stories, faces a precarious future. If current practices are not reassessed, this animal, which has survived ice ages and centuries of landscape changes, could one day become endangered. It is not too far fetched when you look at the numbers that have been murdered, that the badger may not meet the same fate as the beaver - gone completely. Such a loss would be not just ecological but also cultural, erasing a living symbol from our woodlands and our stories.

As we stand at this crossroads, it is crucial to remember the roles we assign to wildlife in our tales and in our lands. The badger, emblematic of the British countryside, a character of myth and affection, deserves a future where it continues to thrive both in our landscapes and in our lore.