Walpurgis Night 2023
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It features a ritualistic burning of an effigy of a witch on a campfire to rid the area of evil spirits ... and perhaps eliminate a little excess gardening debris.
The origins of this celebration goes back to the pagan fertility ceremonies and the arrival of spring.
This became combined with tales of St Walpurga who was an English-born nun that lived at Heidenheim Abbey in Germany and subsequently became its abbess when the Norse became Christians.
Many locals felt Walburga had cured them of their ailments. St Walpurga is tied with May 1 because of a medieval tale of her being canonized after her bones were transferred from their burial site to a church about the year 870.
April 30 is said to be midway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. The date is also significant for Beltane — which is a Celtic festival and is celebrated on the final day of winter and the beginning of summer.
Those residing in the mountains of central Germany thought witches travelled through the sky on April 30 so they called it "Witches Night" when the coven allegedly congregated on Brocken Mountain. Townspeople would burn bonfires and ring church bells and bash pots and pans because witches are said to have an aversion to noise. To top this off they would pray to St Walpurga because April 30 was her feast day.
St Walpurga brought Christianity to the region in the ninth century and is the patron saint of those suffering from dog bites, rabies, and whooping cough. Her intercession is also sought for protection against sorcery.
The end of April also brought the conclusion of the Middle Ages administrative year.
See Also:
May Eve