The Spiritual Meat Plant

by Eben van Tonder and Kristi Berger, 10 Febr 25

Incorporating Traditional Sayings and Incantations in Meat Processing

Incorporating traditional German and Austrian sayings and incantations into modern meat processing and consumption practices can enrich the cultural experience and honour time-honoured customs. Building upon the insights from “Sacred Cuts: The Intersection of Spirituality, Folklore, and Science in Meat Processing,“ this guide provides exact German phrases alongside their English translations, organized by specific stages in meat processing and consumption.

Insights gained from “From Ritual to Industry” have led to the realization that the practice of incantations by priests during ancient rituals in sacred spaces formed the earliest methods of organizing such areas for human movement and the handling of food for offerings and manufacturing, all as part of religious activity. People heard priests perform rituals and recite incantations, which were likely adopted into everyday life.

Repeating these words at various stages of processing establishes a unique connection to the past and focuses attention on the importance of each production step, elevating it from the mundane to the spiritual. This practice imparts focus, deliberateness, and meaning to each action, with the potential to improve work quality, hygiene, and attention to detail. It fosters greater attentiveness to activities that might otherwise be perceived as monotonous, transforming the ordinary into a spiritual and highly significant event. In doing so, it links us with the ancients, whose footsteps we follow as we process food.

Each incantation included in this work comes to us through the careful efforts of scholars who chronicled the exact words used in antiquity in the Germanic lands—modern-day Germany and Austria. I present these in a way that is easy to access and integrate into the modern meat plant, ensuring that the deeper significance of our work carries through to the foods we produce and consume.

A unique addition to the work from antiquity is where we introduce new incantations that we write for the modern meat plant in areas where focus is needed especially where attitudes are as important as processes and procedures such as rehydration of functionals. These are added at the end of the work under “Contemporary Additions“.

Receiving Meat Carcasses

Observing Animal Behavior

German: “Ein Tier, das Unruhe zeigt, soll nicht geopfert werden.”
English: “An animal showing unrest should not be sacrificed.”

Marking Animals

German: “Auserwählt für Nahrung, gesegnet für unser Wohl.”
English: “Chosen for sustenance, blessed for our well-being.”

First Blood Offering

German: “Zurück zur Erde, die uns ernährt.”
English: “Back to the earth that nourishes us.”

Blessing the Knife Before Slaughter

German: “Im Namen des Vaters, des Sohnes und des Heiligen Geistes, möge dieses Messer rein sein, möge es das Fleisch schützen und segnen.”
English: “In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may this knife be pure, may it protect and bless the meat.”

Pre-Slaughter Prayer

German: “Herr, segne das Tier, das uns Nahrung gibt. Möge sein Fleisch rein und gesund sein, zum Wohl unserer Gemeinschaft.”
English: “Lord, bless the animal that gives us food. May its meat be pure and wholesome for the well-being of our community.”

Sharpening Knives and Blades

German: “Dieser Stein schärft nicht nur das Eisen, sondern schützt vor jedem bösen Geist.”
English: “This stone not only sharpens the iron but also protects against every evil spirit.”

Donning the Butcher’s Apron

German: “Dieser Schurz schützt den Körper und die Seele vor allem Übel.”
English: “This apron protects the body and soul from all harm.”

Cutting and Processing Meat

German: “Mit jedem Schnitt und jedem Schlag, bringt dieses Fleisch uns Wohlbehag.”
English: “With every cut and every strike, may this meat bring us comfort.”

Salting Meat

German: “Salz der Erde, bewahre uns vor Fäulnis und Unheil.”
English: “Salt of the earth, protect us from decay and misfortune.”

German: “Das Salz der Erde bewahrt das Fleisch, so wie der Herr uns bewahrt.”
English: “The salt of the earth preserves the meat, just as the Lord preserves us.”

Spicing Meat

German: “Kräuter der Reinheit, bewahrt die Gabe, die uns der Herr schenkt.”
English: “Herbs of purity, preserve the gift the Lord has given us.”

Starting the Smokehouse

German: “Heiliger Rauch, bewahre das Fleisch vor Dämonen und Verderbnis.”
English: “Holy smoke, protect the meat from demons and decay.”

Closing the Smokehouse Doors

German: “Kein Geist soll hier eintreten, nur Reinheit und Segen.”
English: “No spirit shall enter here, only purity and blessing.”

Cleaning the Smokehouse

German: “Brenne, Hexe, und lass unser Fleisch in Frieden.”
English: “Burn, witch, and leave our meat in peace.”

Hanging Meat to Dry

German: “Wind und Sonne trocknen schnell, bewahren Fleisch vor Ungemach.”
English: “Wind and sun dry swiftly, protect meat from adversity.”

Storing Meat

German: “Dreifach gehängt, heilig geschützt.”
English: “Hung in threes, divinely protected.”

Preparing for a Feast

German: “Herr Jesus Christus, segne dieses Fleisch, das uns Kraft gibt und uns schützt vor allem Übel.”
English: “Lord Jesus Christ, bless this meat that gives us strength and protects us from all evil.”

German: “Dem Feuer geben wir, damit wir bewahrt bleiben.”
English: “To the fire we give, so we may be preserved.”

Before Eating the First Bite of Meat

German: “Der erste Bissen gehört den Göttern, die uns schützen.”
English: “The first bite belongs to the gods who protect us.”

At a Communal Feast

German: “Mögen wir stets gesegnet sein mit guter Ernte und reicher Nahrung.”
English: “May we always be blessed with a good harvest and abundant food.”

Additional Incantations and Sayings

Grinding Meat

Monastic kitchens often employed a large mortar and pestle for grinding meat, ensuring smooth, uniform texture.

Pressschinken Preparation

Monks minced meat using knives on wooden blocks to achieve consistent, coarser cuts suitable for Pressschinken and whole-meat products.

Contemporary Additions

Myself and my Wife-to-be are adding to the meat plant where there are difficulties. We focus on areas that need special attention and the right attitude such as patience in hydrating soy.

Hydration of Soy

Wie Geduld das Wasser in der Bohne quellen lässt,
So lenkt der Ewige uns, wenn unser Werk wächst

English: As patience makes the water swell in the bean,
So the Eternal guides us as our work grows

Conclusion

By integrating these traditional sayings and practices into modern meat processing and consumption, individuals can honour the rich cultural heritage detailed in “Sacred Cuts: The Intersection of Spirituality, Folklore, and Science in Meat Processing.” This fusion of past and present not only preserves historical wisdom but also enriches contemporary culinary experiences.