Halloween in April! Walpurgisnacht and the Witch's Dance Floor
You know what would be awesome? If Halloween happened twice a year. Well, if you organize yourself properly you could pull it off. Stay in North America for October 31st and then head to Germany for April 30th, exactly 6 months before Samhaim, to celebrate Walpurgisnacht, The Witches’ Night!
It can also go by Hexennacht. Walpurgisnacht (pronounced val-purr-gess-nach-t) supposedly started because in Germany they would celebrate the coming of Spring. Like a, yey winter is over and we didn’t starve to death, celebration. Witches would fly in from all around Germany to come together and celebrate it on April 30th.
It was celebrated on the highest peak of the Harz Mountains where they would light bonfires and dance the night away.
When the Church got its hands on it, it changed slightly. Instead of just celebrating the end of winter and the return of longer days, they decided to add in the feast day of St Walpurga.
She was a woman who was sent on a missionary trip and ended up overseeing the baptizing of pagans. When she died, her tomb began to ooze healing oil and so she became a saint. They chopped up her body and dispersed it across Germany and France so everyone could witness the miracle.
At the center of the modern-day tradition is a big bonfire which everyone dances around. The lady of the house must jump over her broom and old brooms must be tossed into the fire. You can also make straw men and endow them with an “illness” and burn them to encourage health.
They still celebrate in the mountains, specifically the Hexentanzplatz, a beautiful mountain plateau near the town of Thale. It’s also known as The Witch’s Dance Floor. There are statues of witches and demons all year round and there’s a witch museum.
Locals and visitors are encouraged to dress as witches, or demons, or ghouls and participate.
So, I’ll see all you witches next April in Germany!
