28+ Walpurgisnacht Tradition

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.

Walpurgisnacht tradition. There are also some new traditions including the lighting of fireworks and. 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. 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. 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. Some traditions from the medieval period still remain such as hanging sprigs of greenery and leaving out ankenschnitt for the hounds. 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. 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.

At walpurgis valborg farm animals were let out to graze and bonfires majbrasor kasar lit to scare away predators. Thousands of years ago in northern europe and scandinavia people would hang bundles of foliage around their property to ward off evil spirits. The roots of walpurgis night reach deep into the pagan past and modern europeans celebrate it with as much abandon as their ancestors. 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. They made sacrifices to their gods for the sake of their crops and they had orgies as a celebration of the coming warmth. Nowadays germans celebrate this holiday as a second halloween by dressing up in costumes making loud noises and playing pranks on each other. Modern day walpurgisnacht in germany.

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. 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.