Videos of the day -- Hexennacht

In modern times this date is most commonly called Walpurgisnacht (Walpurga's Night), but that name was imposed by Christians when they took over the observance and tried to make it their own, as they did with so many pagan European and Middle Eastern holidays.  It is still called Hexennacht (Witches' Night) in parts of Germany, a name perhaps more authentic.  The ancient rituals associated with this night -- great bonfires, the warding off of evil spirits -- are clearly similar to those of Samhain (Halloween), and April 30 is the point on the Earth's orbit exactly opposite to October 31, so there is an obvious relationship between the two.  However, the festivities of Hexennacht that have come down to us are mostly Germanic, in contrast to the mostly Celtic traditions of Samhain.

I've always liked this celebratory video by Faun, the German folk-rock band which often uses pagan themes:


Here is another video of theirs, which again expresses the joyous evocation of the pagan Germanic spirit (though not an attempt to exactly imitate the culture or look of any specific period):


Finally, this more lighthearted entry shows one of the modern witch dances performed on this date in the town of Wolfshagen im Harz, central Germany, where thousands gather every year for the festivities:


The old spirit lives on, despite the centuries of persecution.