Walpurgisnacht 2009

[Rob]

Walpurgisnacht (April 30) is an old German holiday with Heathen roots. The original name of the day was probably lost through time, though Walpurga (or Walburga) became associated with the goddesses Holle and Berchta, who may be regional perceptions of the same goddess.

In Pennsylvania German traditions, Holle remained known to practitioners of Braucherei throughout the centuries. April 30 is seen as the night that marks Her return from the Wild Hunt and the end of the dark half of the year. Her return to the soil hails they way for outdoor planting. We celebrate the fertility of the land and the processing and settling of souls during the Wild Hunt. We focus on the cycles of life: birth, death, rebirth; sowing, reaping, replanting. An appropriate rune for meditation is Jera.

The site at which we held our ceremony is also associated with the goddess Freya due to its magical lore, so we hailed Freya and were visited by a peregrine falcon, a symbol of Freya, during our ceremony. An appropriate rune for meditation with Freya is Fehu.

The statuaries of Holle and Freya are presented in a cart around my home. In the future, this practice will expand to the town or to the site of the ceremony. The celebration itself is a typical Urglaawe ceremony consisting of a Sege (blessing) and a Sammel (sumble). Bright colors, flowers, words hailing the goddesses and the gods. We are to open our windows and doors and to post a sign over the entrances reading, "WALPURGIS" to invite the spirit of Holle into our homes.

The next day, May Day, is an appropriate time to recognize the power of male creative energies and the sacrifices that males make in order to ensure that the cycle of life continues. Although Holle has re-energized the soil, outdoor planting of sensitive plants should not begin until after May 15. Pennsylvania German lore states that there are three remaining Reifries (Frost Giants) who will visit the land on May 13, 14, and 15.

Walpurgisnacht is one of the most important holidays in Urglaawe. The entry into the light half of the year is a time for us to move our focus from internal issues to external issues. Our New Year's Resolutions should be well in process already. Between now and Midsummer is the time to celebrate the joys of life: family, community, faith, warmth, fertility.