Walpurgis Night

Q: What is Walpurgis Night?

Walpurgis Night is a modern celebration fusing ancient pagan and Christian concepts of rebirth and renewal.

Q: Why is it called Walpurgis Night?

Walpurgis Night takes its name from Saint Walpurga (l. c. 710-777), famous for her healing powers and, especially, her power to counteract witches' spells and banish dark forces.

Q: Why is Walpurgis Night celebrated on 30 April?

The ancient pagan fertility festival of Beltane was observed on 1 May. In keeping with the Church's policy of Christianizing pagan celebrations, 1 May was dedicated to honoring Saint Walpurga and so 30 April became St. Walpurga's Night and then Walpurgis Night.

Q: What is the connection between Walpurgis Night and Halloween?

Walpurgis Night and Halloween (based on the pagan Samhain celebration) are recognized as "thin times" when the veil between the worlds of the living and dead is open and the souls of the departed return. The celebrations both include making and serving favorite foods of lost loved ones and honoring their memory.

Joshua J. Mark

Walpurgis Night

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Definition

Walpurgis Night (30 April, annually) is a modern-day European and Scandinavian festival derived from the merging of the ancient pagan celebration of Beltane with the commemoration of the canonization of the Christian Saint Walpurga (l. c. 710 - c. 777). The event focuses on renewal, rebirth, and letting go of dark energies from the past year.

More about: Walpurgis Night

Timeline

c. 870
Walpurgis Night established in Germany to commemorate the canonization of St. Walpurga; Christianizing the earlier pagan celebrations of Beltane and May Day on 1 May.

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