Walpurgis Night - The Witch Elder

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Walpurgis Night, also known as Walpurgisnacht in German, is a traditional spring festival celebrated across parts of Europe on the night of April 30th. Its origins are deeply rooted in pagan customs and Christian traditions, creating a unique blend of folklore and religious observance.
The name "Walpurgis" refers to Saint Walpurga, an English missionary who was canonized on May 1st, 870. Over time, her feast day became associated with the pagan celebration of the arrival of spring and the banishment of winter's darkness.
In pre-Christian times, Walpurgis Night was believed to be a time when witches gathered on Brocken, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains of Germany, to hold wild revelries and perform rituals to welcome the arrival of spring. Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits and protect against the witches' mischief.
Today, Walpurgis Night is celebrated in various ways across Europe, particularly in Germany, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic. In Germany, it is often marked by large bonfires, music, dancing, and theatrical performances, with some regions continuing the tradition of dressing up as witches and devils.
The old custom of lighting fires to get rid of evil spirits has morphed into new customs such as the famous "Tanz in den Mai" (dance into May).