Valborg, also known as Walpurgis Night, is a celebrated tradition in Sweden, marking the arrival of spring and the end of the cold, dark winter months. While it's a time of fun and festivities, the history behind Valborg shows a darker past intertwined with myths, legends, and ancient pagan rituals.

Anyone that reads my writing regularly knows, I'm 100% here for the shadow side of things! we all know human history is usually tainted by some darkness or other. Let's look at the history of this Swedish tradition.

The Origins of Valborg

The origins of Valborg can be traced back to ancient pagan celebrations that honoured the changing seasons and the forces of nature. The name "Valborg" is derived from Saint Walpurga, an 8th-century Christian missionary who was canonised on May 1st. Over time, her feast day became associated with pre-existing pagan festivals, blending Christian and pagan traditions into what we now know as Valborg. So, same old hijacking of a pagan festival by a Christianity, in a nut shell.

Pagan Rituals and Bonfires

One of the most iconic aspects of Valborg celebrations is the lighting of large bonfires. These fires were originally lit as part of pagan rituals to ward off evil spirits, and other supernatural entities believed to roam the Earth during the transition from winter to spring. People would gather around the fires, singing songs, dancing, and participating in various rituals to ensure protection and prosperity for the upcoming year.

The Legend of the Witches' Sabbath

Another (tbh, not so surprising 🙄) aspect of Valborg is the legend of the Witches' Sabbath. According to folklore, on the night of Valborg, witches would gather on Brocken*, the highest peak in the Harz Mountains of Germany, to celebrate and engage in dark rituals. This legend/propaganda spread throughout Europe, including Sweden, where it became intertwined with Valborg celebrations. Effigies of witches are often burned in the bonfires as a symbolic act to drive away evil spirits and protect the community. How long they did this for, I don't know, imagine, effigies women burning on bonfires surrounded by communities of people.. just like during the actual witch trials... it breaks my heart to imagine people reenacting this horror.

Christianisation and Cultural Transformation

As Christianity spread throughout Europe, pagan traditions like Valborg were gradually Christianised to align with Christian beliefs and practices. Saint Walpurga's feast day was strategically placed on May 1st to coincide with existing pagan festivals, allowing for an easier transition from pagan rituals to Christian celebrations. Despite these efforts to Christianise the tradition, many pagan elements have remained and continue to be an integral part of Valborg celebrations.

Modern-Day Valborg Celebrations

Today, Valborg is celebrated with community gatherings, concerts, parades, and, of course, massive bonfires across Sweden. It's a time for people to come together, celebrate the arrival of spring, and the longer days and (hopefully) warmer weather. While the darker aspects of Valborg's history may be less emphasised in modern celebrations (too much shame about all those women they murdered, I suppose), there's no doubt that there's a rich and complex cultural tapestry that has shaped this beloved Swedish tradition.

Valborg is a fascinating blend of ancient pagan rituals, Christian beliefs, and folklore that has evolved over centuries. While it may be a time of joy and renewal for many, I don't think the darkness of a past filled with misogyny and murder should be ignored, this year I'll be thinking of those women that were murdered in those times, I'll pay homage to the past while looking forward to the promise of spring and the new beginnings it brings.

*ring any bells? - this is the same bollocks they made up in Sweden about Blåkulla at Easter time - definitely something to do with the 'Hammer Of Witches' book that was circling at the time and many see as the reason 'witch hysteria' came about.

Like this?

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