Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgis Night) for witching

This second feast of St Walpurgis, or Walburga (Beltaine Eve) is one of the main holidays during the year in both Sweden and Finland, along with Christmas and Midsummer.

Walpurgisnacht (Walpurgis night) in Germany has been celebrated for centuries. Farmers used to place crosses and herbs above stable doors to protect their livestock from the witches that fly around tonight en route to their evil covens on Germany’s highest mountain, the Brocken, in the Harz Mountains. German cartographers of the 18th Century sometimes added to any map of the Harz Mountains a few witches flying on broomstick towards the summit of the Brocken.

German villagers used to light fires in the fields. Any crop illuminated by the firelight or touched by the smoke was sure to be fertile. Or, so it is said.

Tonight's traditions stem from an ancient pagan Spring festival. The deities Woden and Freya were the parents of Spring ...

Tagged: pagan, neopagan, wicca, germany, customs, folklore, witchcraft, calendar+customs