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Walpurgis Night
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Walpurgis Night
On WALPURGISNACHT, the eve of May Day, witches gather on the Brocken, the highest point of Germanys Harz Mountains, for their Spring Sabbat
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 577833
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10018221
Brocken Flaming Gather Germanys Harz Highest Pagan Paganism Point Sabbat Spring Torch Light Torches Witch Witchcraft Witches Paranormal Walpurgisnacht
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EDITORS COMMENTS
Walpurgis Night, also known as Walpurgisnacht, is a significant night in pagan and European folklore, celebrated on the eve of May Day. This historic and intriguing image captures the essence of this ancient tradition, as witches are depicted gathered on the Brocken, the highest peak of the Harz Mountains in Germany. The night is believed to be a time when the supernatural world comes to life, and witches are said to dance and perform rituals around bonfires to welcome in the spring. The witches in this photograph are seen carrying torches and wearing traditional robes and headdresses, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames. The haunting scene is further enhanced by the ominous, moonlit sky and the rugged, rocky terrain of the Brocken. The origins of Walpurgis Night can be traced back to pre-Christian times, with some believing it to be a celebration of the goddess of spring and fertility. However, during the Middle Ages, it became associated with witchcraft and the devil, due in part to the Christian Church's efforts to suppress pagan practices. Despite the passage of time and the spread of Christianity, Walpurgis Night continues to be celebrated in various forms across Europe, particularly in Germany and Scandinavia. The tradition has even inspired numerous works of literature and art, including Goethe's famous Faust Part I, which features a scene on the Brocken during Walpurgis Night. This evocative image offers a glimpse into the rich history and enduring allure of Walpurgis Night, a night when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is said to be at its thinnest, and the magic of the natural world comes to the fore.
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