Boldog Asszony

Boldog Asszony

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Boldogaszony

ORIGIN:

Hungary

Boldog Asszony literally means “Happy Woman.” Asszony, translated as “woman,” possesses an extra nuance: Asszony indicates a relationship so close and intimate that, though not a physical blood relative, it is impossible to conceive of having a wedding or funeral without her. That’s the gist of Boldog Asszony, presiding spirit of life cycles, especially births and weddings.

Boldog Asszony grants fertility, oversees pregnancy, and supervises birth. It is traditional to honor her immediately after birth. An offering table is laid for her, and she must be formallythanked. She is, as her title indicates, a generally benevolent, patient goddess not given to the temper tantrums displayed by some Birth Fairies. If a family fails to honor her, it may take years for her displeasure to manifest: fail to thank Boldog Asszony at the birth of a baby, and that baby may never have a happy marriage. (The opportunity exists in the years in between to apologize and make amends.)

Boldog Asszony is a title, not a name, and it is now generally applied to the Virgin Mary, but the original Boldog Asszony was a goddess with dominion over joy, fertility, and abundance, among the primary deities of the Hungarian pantheon. Saint Gellert, who converted the Hungarians to Christianity in the eleventh century, wrote that the Church was associating Boldog Asszony with Mary and calling her the Queen of Hungary.

Boldog Asszony has seven daughters who bring good fortune. To differentiate her from her daughters, she is called Nagy Boldogaszony (“Big or Great Boldog Asszony”) while her daughters are Kis Boldogaszony (“Little Boldog Asszony”). She is intensely identified with Mary. Alternatively, she is identified with Saint Anne, while Little Boldog Asszony, reduced to one daughter, is identified with Anne’s daughter, Mary.

Day: Tuesday. (Do not do laundry or anything that pollutes or dirties water on her day.)

Sacred day: She is now associated with Christmas and with various harvest festivals throughout the year.

OFFERINGS:

Water, wine, pastries, dried and fresh fruit, Palinka (Hungarian fruit brandy)

SEE ALSO:

Atete; Black Madonna; Fairy, Birth; Szépasszony

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.