As darkness falls onto the forest, the fires start raging and the magical forces awake. The line between the world of the living and the world of the dead now looks almost indistinct.
The night of 30 April invites you to cross the border. Legend has it that a woman named Walpurga, when traveling by sea to Germany, prevented a storm catastrophe and saved everyone on the ship. She was pronounced a saint since then, and became the Patroness of the ones who go out to the sea.
That wasn’t the only miracle the world witnessed. Later, she healed a young girl suffering from a deadly disease and revived a pregnant woman from a burning fever. There is much more, even: a saved starving boy, nourished only with three spicklets, and even that doesn’t close the list of her noble deeds.
It seemed that she was flawlessly capable of handling any storm in a teacup. Any help would always be given to people by Saint Walpurga. On Walpurgis Night, folks remember her and greet the coming spring as well.
It is also known (Goethe had a lot to do with it) that that night is when nature gains its highest magical powers, and that knowing about it, witches go out at night for herbs. That led to the locals getting hostile – just another example of superstitious women victimizing.
Yet nowadays, pagan traditions and rituals have faded away, and it is mostly a celebration of life and joy. It is about throwing parties, carnivals, festivals and parades. Those are accompanied by folk, ethnic music and burning fires, fireworks, dressing ups, dancing, playing, drinking, making amulets, burning the old belongings and lots and lots of different fun and mischievous things as such.
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Where and How?
It depends. Folks from different countries have their different ways of celebrating Walpurgis Night. That was initially celebrated among Finnish upper class. Then, the students took the initiative. Quite literally, they do it in modern days: the Mayor of Tartu (Estonia) hands over his power to students every year.
Then it’s become more of a mass tradition. It is noticed to be popular: playing pranks on neighbors, messing up with their gardens, yards and porches, painting their walls. For the sake of authenticity, you want to visit Northern Europe or Scandinavian countries.
Any traditional dishes?
There are some!
Initially they served horse meat, no bread or salt. Drinks were poured in cow hooves and horse skulls. Magical herbal beverages to wash it all down.
Good news – you don’t have to.
Today it may simply be smoked whitefish, salmon, Gravlax (salted, sugared salmon with dill), mulled wine or Sangria. It makes sense that all the dishes and beverages should be simple, for it were peasant food back in the days.
Now, about looks…
This is sort of beyond Halloween when one dresses up as a scary clown, nurse or Freddy Krueger. Participants really do have the chance to step away from basic mainstream costumes: not just a cheap wig and a “sexy Harley Quinn look”, but something more ethnical, gothic, mythical, mystique and terrifying this time, if you will.
Consider dressing up extravagantly. Do go wild – it is the exact time for your inner witch or demon to introduce themselves to the world.
Something wicked this way comes!
