It's nearly Walpurgisnacht, <<First Name>>!
I know, you're probably wondering, "What the heck is that?" Don't worry - I'm about to tell you all about it...and what it has to do with Halloween.

What is Walpurgisnacht?
Walpurgisnacht, also known as Walpurgis Night or Witches' Night, is a celebration originating sometime in the 1600s that is held the night of April 30. It is the eve of the feast of Saint Walpurga and also precedes May Day or Beltane. The holiday celebrates the turning of seasons. While the name is Germanic, the holiday is also celebrated in the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland and Sweden.
How is Walpurgis Night celebrated?
Bonfires are a popular way to celebrate the holiday. Some countries sing traditional spring folk songs while others host large carnivals. In Germany and Sweden, participants celebrate in a manner similar to Halloween - by dressing in costume and playing pranks on people.
Many people hang blessed sprigs of foliage from their homes to ward off evil spirits or leave out bread with butter and honey as an offering to phantom hounds. Feeding the spirits is also a way to avoid bad weather and ensure good crops for the coming growing season. Others burn old, worn-out clothes, and love potions are said to be exceptionally powerful on this night.
So what does this have to do with Halloween?
Well...much like October 31, Walpurgis revelers believe April 30 is a night where the veil between our world and spirit world is at its thinnest. As a result, ghosts of the dead, faeries, shapeshifters and witches are at their most powerful on these nights, able to cross more easily between two worlds. It is also said strange things are more likely to happen on this night.
It's basically a second Halloween! But that also oversimplifies this complex day. If you want to read more, I suggest checking out these articles and resources:
Happy Walpurgisnacht,
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