This was one of the greatest of the Germanic Pagan festivals, later becoming associated with St. Walpurga. This is the root of some modern Christian traditions.
Walpurgisnacht, the ancient Pagan celebration, is closely related to the Celtic fire festival, Beltane. According to Rosemary Ellen Guiley, in The Encyclopedia of Witches and Witchcraft (Checkmark Books, 1999), Walpurgisnacht is one of the major Sabbats or holidays celebrated by the witches or Pagans of Germany to celebrate spring.
It is a celebration of fertility and is celebrated on the night of April 30th. The Brocken, one of the major mounts in the Harz Mountain chain was considered the place where witches gathered for the festival.
In the Middle Ages, people believed that witches got on their brooms and flew to mountain crests where they feasted, danced and entertained demons and the devil during a night of celebration. Today’s Pagans and witches still celebrate the Sabbat, but there is no association with demonic forces.
St. Walpurga and Walpurgisnacht
During the Christian conversion of the Pagans, Walpurgisnacht became associated with St. Walpurga, also spelled Walburga. The saint was an English woman who went to Germany to start a monastery. She became very popular and sects were established in honor of her. May first is her feast day.
Unfortunately, orthodox religion of the Dark Ages viewed these groups as witches, therefore demonic. The church turned Walpurgisnacht into a festival to expel evil forces. Walpurga is the Catholic saint who protects people from sorcery and witchcraft.
The beginnings of this celebration date back to pre-Christian Europe when May First marked the victory of the spring growing season and longer days over the darkness of the days of winter.
Modern Germanic May Day Celebrations
One of the Christian adaptations of Walpurgisnacht is on May First Eve, in honor of St. Walpurga, bells toll in Luxembourg and there are blessings done with holy water.
In Bavaria the festival is called Freinacht or Drudennacht. To the young people, it is a night of mischief where toilet paper is used to “decorate” cars. It is believed that noise is the best protection against evil spirits and boards are drummed against the ground and shots are fired. This is also done in Bohemia, now a part of the Czech Republic.
In Schmalkalden girls, dressed as Hexen or witches, chase out evil spirits. In the southern Harz Mountain area, boys ride stick-horses and chase the Hexen out of the fields.
Pagans celebrate this festival on mountain tops by dancing, chanting, rites and feasting according to each ones’ Germanic traditions and beliefs.
Related articles:
Beltane: Pagan Spring Celebration
Spectral Wild Hunts and a Cruel Huntsman
