Wednesday, April 30, 2008

[thought for the day] walpurgis night


Just been out on our Walpurgis revels but instead of sacrificing an innocent and concerning ourselves with fertility rituals, we ate pizza. They always speak of the nun Walpurga "dying" on Feb 25th and being sainted for being a martyr on May 1st.

Usual motif on this day is "passing through the fire" and I'd like to know how exactly Walpurga died. They don't tell you. Also, on the Hotel Safari was a giant picture of a naked woman and an exchortation to join their Walpurgis Revels - surprised how open they were about it.

It's also Mayday tomorrow, actually today and "nash prazdnik" or our holiday when all sorts of marches and festivities take place in Russia but for me it's a working day.

Thought for the day?

"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must first set yourself on fire.

Anyone care to explain that one? And finally, some delightful people enjoying their festival.


3 comments:

  1. I was told by a woman of German descent that in Germany, women would doll themselves up and stand at their doors, and old German law/custom said that any children born as a result of visitations were to be accepted as legitimate. An incentive for the old man to stay home and do his domestic duty?

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  2. I remember reading about this night in a Dennis Wheatley book in my late teens. Spooky stuff although I can't remember anything about it.

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  3. "Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You must first set yourself on fire.”

    Good advice; nobody achieves success by sitting around waiting for something to happen to them.

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