Walpurgisnacht Meaning

Definition of walpurgis night.

Walpurgisnacht meaning. In some areas of europe walpurgisnacht is known as a night on which witches and sorcerers gather together to do magic although this tradition appears to be heavily influenced by 16th and 17th german writings. The eve of may day on which witches are held to ride to an appointed rendezvous. Something such as an event or situation having a nightmarish quality. The eve of beltane believed by medieval christians to be the occasion of a witches sabbath.

Saint walpurga was hailed by the christians of germany for battling pest rabies and whooping cough. This feast commemorates the canonization of saint walpurga and the movement of her relics to eichstätt both of which occurred on 1 may 870. Walpurgis night is the evening of april 31st which leads to may 1st and is around the time of the celtic beltane from an astronomer or astrologer s perspective the sun will be around the 15th degree of taurus from earth s perspective or simply the middle portion of taurus. Walpurgisnacht or walpurgis night is not the vernal equinox the vernal equinox also ostara is around march 21st when the sun is entering the constellation aries from earth s perspective.

Today some pagans in central and northern europe still celebrate walpurgisnacht as a precursor to beltane. The eve of may day observed in some european countries and in some scandinavian communities in the united states in celebration of spring and marked by music singing and bonfires.