Also called ‘’The Runes of Henorius’’, these letters are used to write spells and incantations in a ‘’Book of Shadows’’, and to inscribe one’s Craft name on ritual tools and Witch jewels. Their origin is lost in the mists of antiquity.
Walpurgisnacht, known in English as Walpurgis Night, is the German name for the night of the 30th of April. It is the eve of the feast that celebrates Saint Walpurga.
In Germanic folklore, Walpurgisnacht is also known as “Hexennacht” – which literally translates as “witches night” – and is the night that witches gather upon the highest peak in the Harz Mountains in central Germany.
Walpurgisnacht is celebrated throughout Europe (Germany, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), in locally varying forms.
“There is a mountain very high and bare…whereon it is given out that witches hold their dance on Walpurgis night.”- Jacob Grimm, 1883
Like Halloween, Walpurgis
has its roots in ancient pagan customs, superstitions and festivals. At
this time of year, the Vikings participated in a ritual that they hoped
would hasten the arrival of Spring weather and ensure fertility for
their crops and livestock. They would light huge bonfires in hopes of
scaring away evil spirits.
But the name “Walpurgis” comes from a very different source. In the 8th
Century, a woman named Valborg founded the Catholic convent of
Heidenheim in Wurtemburg, Germany. She herself later became a nun and
was known for speaking out against witchcraft and sorcery. She was
canonized a saint on May 1, 779. Since the celebration of her sainthood
and the old Viking festival occurred around the same time, over the
years the festivals and traditions intermingled until the hybrid
pagan-Catholic celebration became known as Valborgsmässoafton or Walpurgisnacht – Walpurgis Night.
May-Eve night shares many of the traditions of Halloween and is, in fact, directly opposite Halloween on the calendar. And according to the ancient legends, this night was the last chance for
witches and their nefarious cohorts to stir up trouble before Spring
reawakened the land.
“[Fig. 6] will enable you to discover the most hidden secrets; you will be able to penetrate everywhere without being seen, and not a single word in the universe can be uttered without it coming to your ears, whether you wish to listen to it yourself or to have brought back to us by your agents when you order them to do so…repeat these words and place the talisman near your ear while you hold the ring tightly in your left hand: Nitrae, Radou, Sunundam.”
Fig. 7 “Place this ring on the little finger of your left hand and hold the talisman to your ear, and the most discreet man will divulge to you his most hidden thoughts. Here are the two words: Noctar, Raiban, and if you add a third word, which is Biranther, your greatest enemies will not be able to prevent themselves from loudly publishing their projects against you.”
Occult Aspects 