Walpurgis Night

May Day is my favorite holiday. It's all about flowers, good fortune, and happiness. It's not limited to a certain religion, specific gender, and doesn't depend on spending lots of money to support a materialistic economy.

Well, I guess religious connotations are relative as it is an ancient pagan holiday promoting fertility so dancing, drinking, and having sex outside are part of the celebration. But for our modern purposes: pick some flowers, make a little paper basket, and spread some happiness.

 

My second favorite holiday is Walpurgisnacht, or Witches' Night, or the Witches' Sabbath which takes place the eve of May Day or tonight. It's named after St. Walpurga, an 8th Century German abbess, although I don't know why. Was she a witch? Traditionally it's the night all the witches come out to reek havoc on the community, terrorize innocent souls, and steal children.

The way to protect your loved ones is to put a pile of cut grass on their doorsteps before the sun goes down as witches are compulsive beings and will feel the need to count every blade of grass before crossing the threshold. If the sun comes up before they are finished counting, they must leave missing their annual opportunity for kidnapping. Until next year.

 

I love folklore!

 

HAPPY MAY DAY!