Warm greetings everyone, and a merry Walpurgis Nacht to all!
Please enjoy this message from long ago as my gift to you for our New Year, and also please note that this special Night is date related and not dependent upon seasonal change or geographical position:
Well Met Everyone
I would like to wish you all magically wonderful Walpurgis Nacht, which occurs on April 30.
It is a time to celebrate your mystical ‘family’, and to reach out to each other in love and friendship.
Midnight of the 30th is also a time which brings us into closer contact with our wonderful guides and benefactors – the ‘Lords of Light’ – and is a magical time to make that special wish.
So please enjoy this special evening in whatever way feels right to you.
May you experience the joy of magic and mystery during this night of pleasure.
For me, Walpurgis was the only ‘ritual’ night our coven ever had on a regular basis. Our teacher was German and we used the night to ‘consciously’ remember and send love to all our fellow practitioners around the world, in much the same way the meetings in the Hartz mountains (mentioned below) took place – minus the big fire because we usually met indoors, and April is usually still warm at that time of year in Sydney ;P – and to re-affirm our commitment to our studies.
Here’s a small piece about the nun Walpurga for whom the night was named:
“The night of 30th April to May 1st is called, according to an ancient Germanic legend, Walpurgis Nacht. Its name was taken from Saint Walpurga, who is often referred to as Gaudurge, Bugga, Walburga, or Walpurgis.
Walpurga, born in 710, was the niece of Saint Boniface.
Saint Boniface was in need of nuns for the English monasteries, so he sent for a colony of nuns to be brought out by boat. Among them was Walpurga, nun of Wimborne under St. Tatta, and sister of Willibald and Winebald (sons of Saint Richard; nephews and apostles of Boniface).
She was appointed a mere two years after as the abbess of Heidenheim, where Winebald ruled an abbey of men.
Walpurga was a remarkable woman. When brother Winebald died, she was appointed in his place and given the double charge over both men´s and women´s congregations. Walburga died in 779, as abbess of Heidenheim, and her relics were transferred to Eichstaett on the night before May 1 – already a special evening for witches, and since then called Walpurgis Nacht.
It is indeed curious that this English woman was to have a place in German folklore.
There are those who say that the ancient pagan origin of this legend has nothing to do with Saint Walpurga – that the night was already ritually celebrated before it was named for her.
(We say this, too)
However, and independent of its origin, legend tells us that Walpurgis Nacht was the night when, in the medieval and Renaissance times, witches assembled on the Harz mountain tops (the Brocken or Blocksberg was the highest peak) to meet with the each other.
They would affirm their allegiance to their craft, initiate new members and receive their assignments for the new witching year from their tutors/coven leaders.
(Except for Initiations, this is what our dedicated members do. Others offer lip service.)
Walpurgis Nacht is, therefore, deeply associated with witchcraft (J. W. Goethe mentioned it in his masterpiece: “Faust”, see: “Walpurgis Night in the Hartz mountains”, where he presents a vivid picture of the witches´ meeting held there).
Saint Walpurga is venerated in Eichstaett (Roeder) and has been portrayed many times and in many different forms in art – together with her saintly brothers – with angels holding a crown over her and three ears of corn in her hand, or with miracles taking place – such as (according to legend) a miracle-oil extruding from her tomb at Roeder on May Day.
In some countries, such as Sweden, it is also the occasion for the Spring arrival celebrations to take place. Thus the link is sometimes drawn between Walpurgis nacht, May day and, a week later, Beltane.”
Walpurgis Nacht Blessings to you all.
May you dance and sing with joy!
With Strength Heart and Wisdom.
In the Service of your Craft.
Ipsissima xx
Leonora
leonorian.com
Strength Heart and Wisdom 