The Glatteis, also known as Ice Spirits or Ice Storm Spirits, were a type of elemental spirit known throughout rural Germany, and later in rural Pennsylvania to our family. Glatteis in Pennsylvania Dutch translates to smooth ice or glazed ice, additionally it refers to types of ice storms in which some thought the ice spirits had caused. Some were believed to be familiar spirits of the Wedder Hexes (Weather Witch) that passed on. The Glatteis Spirits generally have the appearance of a floating frost-covered spectre with pale blue tinged complexion, and bright piercing eyes. Old stories of them ranged from guardian spirits of nature that helped to protect humans from bad weather, to spirits who sometimes caused chaos to others with their ice magic. The behavior varies and depends on the individual. As guardian spirits, they often helped to look after family and community, warning them of potential disaster and even intervening in situations where individuals were being spiritually attacked by baneful magic outdoors, shielding them. In other cases, ones who leaned on the darker side were sometimes summoned by dark magic practitioners to help spiritually combat multiple enemies in villages and obtain justice. The spirits used their elemental abilities to cause bad weather and to essentially freeze an enemy in their tracks. The Glatteis Spirits enjoy cold winter weather and cloudy environments. Some were said to draw art and write messages on window panes and create beautiful, intricate works of art from ice and snow.
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