In modern times, many Christians continue to make religious pilgrimages to Saint Walburga's tomb in Eichstätt
on Saint Walburga's Day; in the 19th century, the number of pilgrims
travelling to the Church of St. Walpurgis was described as "many
thousand".[2] Due to 1 May the date of Saint Walpurga's feast, it has become associated with other May Day celebrations and regional traditions,[23] especially in Finland and Sweden.[24]
Given that the intercession of Saint Walpurga was believed to be
efficacious against evil magic, medieval and Renaissance tradition held
that, during Walpurgis Night, witches celebrated a sabbath and evil
powers were at their strongest. In German folklore, Walpurgis Night was believed to be the night of a witches' meeting on the Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains, a range of wooded hills in central Germany.[25] To ward off evil and protect themselves and their livestock, people would traditionally light fires on the hillsides,[10][9][1] a tradition that continues in some regions today.[12] In Bavaria, the feast day is sometimes called Hexennacht (Dutch: heksennacht),
literally "Witches' Night", on which revelers dress as witches and
demons, set off fireworks, dance and play loud music, which is said to
drive the witches and winter spirits away
Samhain is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season
and beginning of winter or "darker half" of the year. In the northern
hemisphere, it is held on 1 November, but with celebrations beginning on
the evening of 31 October, as the Celtic day began and ended at sunset.
Comments
Students from the Universities are out singing and huge bonfires are lit. Well it used to be that way before the Corona arrived, this year it will be calm instead.
Have a great day!
Christer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLgM1QJ3S_I
Similarly, beyond folklore there exists the need for preparedness and safeguarding especially when it comes to our automobiles. Just like people lighted fires to ward off evil spirits during Walpurgis Night, knowing that we can access a 24 hour mechanic shop gives us some sort of confidence against any unexpected car breakdowns. It is like having an impervious shield against the potential challenges that may emerge on our way day or night.