Walpurgis Night

Walpurgis (Walpurgisnacht) Night is celebrated on April 30th, awaiting the arrival of Spring. Now, I know what you are saying. Spring began in March and technically, you're right. However, Walpurgis Night has been around for centuries.

It all started with a woman named Saint Walburga (which whom the festival is named after). She was born in Wessex in 710 the niece of Saint Boniface and a daughter to Saxon prince St. Richard. Saint Walburga traveled to Frankonia, Germany with her brothers, where she became a nun and lived in a convent of Heidenheim. She died on 25 February 779 and officially made a saint on 1 May of the same year.

Historically the Walpurgisnacht is derived from Pagan spring customs, where the arrival of spring was celebrated with bonfires at night. Viking fertility celebrations took place around April 30 and due to Walburga being declared a saint at that time of year, her name became associated with the celebrations. Walburga was honored in the same way that Vikings had celebrated spring and as they spread throughout Europe, the two dates became mixed together and created the Walpurgis Night celebration.

I hope, for those who celebrated, had a wonderful and safe Walpurgis Night.

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