Which night of the year is the most mystical and frightening? You might think it's Halloween—but you'd be wrong!
April 30th is the night when all the witches of Europe celebrate!
On the night of April 30th to May 1st, witches gather for their sabbaths, casting spells and summoning dark forces. It’s the arrival of Walpurgis Night.
The History of the Witches' Night
Walpurgis Night is a holiday that traces its roots back to ancient pagan traditions.
The first days of May have always been considered special across the world, marking the start of a new cycle of life, with nature blooming in full color.
But among Germanic peoples, April 30th became the witches' holiday, when dark forces were believed to roam freely. To protect themselves, people would light large bonfires.
Interestingly, Slavic pagans also believed that witches gathered on Bald Mountain during Walpurgis Night.
But what really happened?
Historians believe that the mystery and legends surrounding Walpurgis Night are not because the night was truly filled with magic.
According to tradition, witches gathered secretly, forming a circle where Satan himself would appear at the center. Wild dances and dark celebrations would follow.
However, it’s more likely that the secrecy was driven by the spread of Christianity and the persecution of pagan practices.
For centuries, people struggled to abandon their old ways and secretly continued to celebrate ancient holidays—which angered the church and was often punishable by death.
Thus, pagan festivities became hidden and nocturnal, and chance witnesses helped build the mystical aura that still surrounds these traditions today.
How Walpurgis Night is Celebrated Today
Walpurgis Night is still celebrated in Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and the Baltic countries. But how do people celebrate it today?
In modern times, secret gatherings are long gone, and Walpurgis Night has become more of a fun event than a frightening one.
Today, people decorate their homes with witch figurines, create spooky atmospheres, dress up in costumes, and paint their faces. In many ways, Walpurgis Night has become a "second Halloween."
Still, some traditions and superstitions continue to be observed.
Superstitions and Rituals for Walpurgis Night
What NOT to do:
- Don’t leave brooms or sweepers out in the open—they might be stolen by witches for flying to their sabbath.
- Don’t bring lilac flowers into your home; they can attract witches.
- Don’t leave your house at night, or the witches might kidnap you.
- Don’t argue with any woman—you never know if she’s a witch, or if another witch might seek revenge on her behalf.
- Don’t wear clothes associated with bad memories or unpleasant experiences.
What you SHOULD do:
- Wash your face with morning dew to preserve eternal youth and beauty.
- Wear a wreath made from herbs and flowers picked that night to become irresistible.
- Use medicinal herbs, as they are said to have special power on this night.
Modern people often treat ancient traditions, pagan holidays, and superstitions with skepticism. We've turned most old rituals into just another form of entertainment.
But who knows — maybe, even today, witches still gather on Bald Mountain from April 30th to May 1st, worshiping Satan while we dismiss it as mere fairy tales.
