“Night of desire”: today is Walpurgis night

Time to make wishes.

In the night from 30 April to 1 may, the pagans of Western Europe were celebrating Walpurgis night.

It is a celebration of spring and fertility, which dates back to pre-Christian traditions.

Walpurgis night is considered a special time of gaining power and exercising. It is believed that the dreams this night are prophetic.

It is also thought that the first night in may, the vegetation acquires a magical power, and the veil between the living world and the realm of the dead becomes thinner.

For the Gentiles Walpurgis night meant the end of winter, and also marked the onset of the summer period of time – the “big sun”.

There was a belief that Walpurgis night is the night of the feast of witches throughout Germany and Scandinavia. Witches sit astride a broom and flew up to the mountain peaks, where they spent time in the wild feasts, dances and intercourse with demons and the devil. Therefore, it was customary to expel the witches on Walpurgis night special ceremonies with lighted torches, the burning of effigies of witches.

For Muslims 30 April to 1 may to celebrate a special day – Laylat-al-Qadr – the night of the conclusion of fate. On this day Muslims at sunrise make the desire to light into the air, turning to a Higher power.

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