(Free) Walpurgisnacht Tradition

Learn about the sacred rites of spring and the lost holiday has changed from a lusty fertility festival to a children s night of fun and treats.

Walpurgisnacht tradition. Walpurgis bonfires are part of a swedish tradition dating back to the early 18th century. In some areas of europe walpurgisnacht is known as a night on which witches and sorcerers gather together to do magic although this tradition appears to be heavily influenced by 16th and 17th german writings. Nowadays germans celebrate this holiday as a second halloween by dressing up in costumes making loud noises and playing pranks on each other. In germany walpurgisnacht the night from 30 april to 1 may is the night when witches are reputed to hold a large celebration on the brocken and await the arrival of spring. Some traditions from the medieval period still remain such as hanging sprigs of greenery and leaving out ankenschnitt for the hounds. Walpurgisnacht originally was a norse viking ritual that after a long winter would hopefully expedite the coming of spring and ensure fertility for livestock and crops. Thousands of years ago in northern europe and scandinavia people would hang bundles of foliage around their property to ward off evil spirits.

Thus in germany on walpurgis night people would dress up in costumes and make loud noises. Walpurgisnacht traditions in line with the belief that walpurgis night was a night when witches and other evil entities were roaming freely around the land certain practices were developed to keep them at bay. Walpurgis night in german folklore the night of 30 april may day s eve when witches meet on the brocken mountain and hold revels with their gods. Modern day walpurgisnacht in germany. Today some pagans in central and northern europe still celebrate walpurgisnacht as a precursor to beltane. In germany walpurgisnacht or hexennacht meaning witches night the night from april 30 may eve is the night when allegedly the witches hold a large celebration on the blocksberg the highest of the harz mountains of north central germany hold revels with their gods and await the arrival of spring. The roots of walpurgis night reach deep into the pagan past and modern europeans celebrate it with as much abandon as their ancestors.

The image i gave you of witches on top of the mountaintop while stereotypical began in ancient germanic tradition of pagan rites of spring and fertility celebration. Walpurgisnacht is named for the christian saint walpurga 710 777 or 779 c e who is said to have battled pest rabies whooping cough and witchcraft she became a saint on may 1 approx.