Night of the Witches: Folklore, Traditions & Recipes for Celebrating Walpurgis Night

On any other night, you would probably swear that there was no such thing as a witch—at least, not the kind that streaks through the sky on a broomstick with guttering taper and billowing cloak.

But this is no ordinary night; it is the thirtieth of April, the eve of May.

Tonight is Walpurgis Night. The roots of Walpurgis Night reach deep into the Pagan past, and modern Europeans celebrate it with as much abandon as their ancestors.

Learn about the sacred rites of spring and the lost holiday has changed from a lusty fertility festival to a children's night of fun and treats.