Walpurgis Night is another pagan ritual celebrating the arrival of spring. According to Wiki, it is widely celebrated across much of central and northern Europe; I can attest to that.
The Saint
Wiki also claims that Walpurgis Night is named after the English missionary Saint Walpurga (ca. 710–777/9) who was canonized on 1 May (ca. 870). Over the centuries since, Walpurgis Night has become celebrated in conjunction with the night of April 30 to May 1, the latter of which is also the “International Workers' Day” (Labour Day equivalent) in much of Europe and also commemorates historic events in other areas of the world.
Walpurgis Night
Common perception is that WP is the night when witches from across the universe converge on to the Brocken mountain in Germany to hold their annual meeting. It’s thought to be sort of an annual meeting to review past activities and plan for the future, the like of which any society or company has.
Witches
Witches are (female) characters of super-natural powers, thought to have been the cause of much trouble in the past.
Having been born in the city which claims (according to official records) having had the last official burning-at-the-stake of a “witch” in the country (Anna Maria Schwiigel, in 1775, for the crime of believing in a competing religion), I can also claim some first-hand knowledge of witches.
While I am uncertain as to the number of true witches I have personally encountered, they appear to be quite common. Signs and announcements of the upcoming modern-day Walpurgis Night celebrations could not be mistaken; they were obvious along the road sides I traveled recently.
What does Walpurgis Night Mean?
Whether witches are or have ever been real, modern-day celebrations of this pagan ritual abound over much of Europe. Spring is in the air; most people though just think of it as an excuse to have a good time.
