The Sorcerer’s Notebook: Walpurgisnacht, The Green Devil, and Witches’ Sabbat
Blessed Walpurgis to all, and Beltane Blessings! Today, and specifically, tonight, holds a special power that those of us who endear themselves with the more traditional cunning arts should not only welcome and observe, but work with, and cast effective magick for actual change. Yes, I am getting a little political, but only because current events and regimes threaten to bring us to brink of extinction: either via war and destruction, or via climate change. To be clear, I’m no climate scientist, but, I can read, and read I do; everyday. From the small bit of research I’ve done on the worsening climate issue, we’re already at the point of irreversible damage; damage control, to lessen the effects of oncoming climate change, is the focus we should all have. Unfortunately, many do not, despite this planet being the only known one capable of supporting human life. I digress, and will continue on to the main point of this article.
Instead of droning on about the history and traditions of Walpurgisnacht, I’m going to instead offer some suggestions on how to work with this night of power. I’ll also include the Full Moon in Scorpio, which will definitely impact the overall energy and workings of this particular Walpurgisnacht. For those who may not know about the Traditional Witchcraft lore surrounding Walpurgisnacht, I’ll give a short run down, but will leave you to further research if you want more details; I won’t leave anyone hanging!
Walpurgis: A Brief History, The Witches’ Sabbat and The (Green) Devil
For those who maybe aren’t familiar with the more traditional lore surrounding this day, I’m obliged to give you a short history and introduction, so as to not leave you confused and not knowing what I’m talking about. It will also give any reader more background into my specific interpretation of Walpurgis, and how to work with it in a magickal way.
Walpurgis, and Walpurgisnacht are one and the same; Walpurgis is the general term for the day, which is actually a Northern and Western European tradition that celebrates St. Walpurga. How it came to involve witches and the devil, we will explore. Walpurgis also aligns with the ancient Celtic celebration of Beltane, as well as other Norse Pagan celebrations welcoming spring/summer. It’s no surprise that they were conflated over time, in part due to the conversion efforts of the Church. In the ancient Celtic and Norse traditions, Bonfires were lit at night to give the Sun energy, ensure bountiful crops, and keep witches, evil spirits and demons at bay.
Witches come into the picture via the Pagan associations and roots of the holiday, as the cunning ones who lived farther from the cities still practiced the Old Ways. During the Witch Hunts, legend abound in Germany, as well as France and Britain, Scotland and Ireland about Witches meeting the Devil at a bonfire on Walpurgisnacht, signing his Black Book, and consorting with him. Could this “Devil” really have been the Green Devil, who in ancient times was known by names like Pan, Faunus, Silvanus, and Cernunnos? I won’t waste time going into the usual Neo-Pagan monologue about the Horned God eventually becoming the Devil of Christendom; I think most can make that connection, or come to their own conclusion.
At his core, The Green Devil is another name for the Witches’ Devil, or the Devil in general; however, there is one distinction to be made: the Green Devil is strictly nature related. In other words, the Green Devil is a more traditional (in terms of witch lore in the West) variant of the Green Lord or Horned One that many Wiccans and Neo-Pagans work with today. The Green Devil, however, takes on more aspects of the Devil in traditional lore as well: a trickster, morally ambiguous, and incessantly sexual. He also carries the knowledge of poisonous and hallucinogenic and entheogenic plants. He is a portal to this world, and an initiator into it, much like the Horned Gods of the Pagan witchcraft traditions.
Regardless, The Devil, Spirits, and a thin veil between the worlds are common themes that Witches and Sorcerers like myself work with during this time. As for the seasonal calendar, this date marks halfway to Halloween, when the veil is thin; the belief is that because this is a “mirror” of Halloween/Samhain, that the energies are similar, but instead of a harvest festival, it is a fertility festival. However you may view The Devil, Spirit Work and the like, I think we can all agree that the night of April 30th, after sunset, is an especially powerful time: for divination, spirit conjuring, spell work, just about anything. Now that we’ve discussed the basics, I’m going to give suggestions and a ritual for those who want to practice the cunning arts in a traditional manner on this Walpurgisnacht.
Ritual Suggestions from the Sorcerer’s Notebook for Walpurgisnacht (General)
- Achieving spirit flight by using a traditional Witches’ flying ointment (these can be purchased at Coby Michael’s website, or check a local shop to see if they carry it)
- Attending the Witches’ Sabbat via spirit flight (technique mentioned above)
- Casting spells for life, renewal, love, lust, sex, power
- Spirit Conjuring
- Cursing/Hexing
Ritual Suggestions from the Sorcerer’s Notebook For Walpurgisnacht 2026
Because this Walpurgisnacht also features a Full Scorpio Moon, I’m going to include specific ritual suggestions keeping in mind current events, astrological and lunar alignments, as well as traditional lore surrounding this holiday.
- Cursing political opponents/tyrants (yes, I’m talking about MAGA)
- Spirit Conjuration
- Necromancy/Séances
- Divination
- Goetic Magick
- Left Hand Path Workings
- Underworld Journeying
- Spells for Transformation
- Spirit Flight with Witches’ Flying Ointment
- Attending the Witches Sabbat
- Meet the Witches’ Devil at the Sabbat (don’t sign anything, though; he hasn’t ever asked me to, so…)
A Cunning Walpurgisnacht Ritual
Instead of giving you a working that meets a specific goal, I’m going to give you an outline of a traditional witchcraft/cunning craft Walpurgisnacht ritual, and allow you to input your intent into it at the appropriate points. Be forewarned, The Devil is called upon, as are the spirits of the land and the dead. This is after a ritual circle is cast, so you will be guarded, but there is always the possibility of unruly spirits showing up. Make sure to have banishing and protective supplies at hand (it’s always wise to, not matter the nature of your ritual). This ritual also involves using substances, and as such, I will give here this disclaimer:
Neither the author nor PaganPages.Org assumes any liability whatsoever for the use or misuse, or side effects of, poisonous, hallucinogenic or entheogenic substances of any kind. These substances do not and cannot diagnose, treat, or cure any ailment, physical or mental. The author and PaganPages also assume no liability whatosever from any harm that may come from the use of these substances. The use of any of these substances is at the discretion of the reader, and therefore, it is assumed the reader has done proper research and education before use.
Now that the boring part is out of the way, let’s get into this ritual, shall we?
You may perform this ritual outside, if you are able and wish to do so. If you do, I would suggest a wooded area, large enough for a fire and to dance round the fire. If not, we will substitute a candle for a fire indoors.
What you’ll need:
- A wooded area with space for a fire and dancing, or a candle-preferably white, but green or orange work also
- Incense-earthy, woodsy scents work well. Frankincense or myrrh are classics
- A ritual dagger or sword
- Salt
- Water
- A feather
- A wand
- Witches flying ointment
- Any materials for spells or workings you may need (remember, this is just an outline)
Instead of calling for a Stang, which are rather hard to come by, and usually not sold, but crafted individually, I’ve substituted a wand. If you have a stang, you may use that instead.
The Ritual (pt. 1): Opening the Circle and the Gates
Begin in the North. Light the incense, and move clockwise in a circle thrice. Next, take the water and sprinkle it around the circle, clockwise thrice. After this, repeat the same movement, but now with the salt. Finally, take the feather and repeat this movement thrice clockwise.
Now, back in the North, take the dagger, and point it to the ground. Envision a line or stream of (pick your color) energy emitting from the tip, and trace the circle thrice clockwise, saying:
“The first pass is for the Gods, The Second for the Spirits and Ancestors, the Third for the Land”
Return the dagger to its resting space. Take the wand (or stang), and start in the north. If using a stang, stamp it on the ground once, if using a wand, point it with force at the ground; either way, say while doing so:
“I call upon the air and winds; be ever present, guard and watch this rite”
Now, continuing in the east, repeat the same movement, saying:
“I call upon the fire of the rising sun; be ever present, guard and watch this rite”
In the South:
“I call upon the moist, cool, dark Earth; our mother, and all of her creatures and spirits. Be ever present, guard and watch this rite”
Finally, in the West
“I call upon the waters that flow to the realms of the unknown; be ever present, guard and watch this rite”
Now, your circle is cast in a cunning manner; note that the elements are placed in differing compass points; Fire is east, where the sun rises. Earth is south, below our feet. Air is north, above us, and water is west, the direction of the dead in many ancient mythologies. Since your circle is cast, we will now go on to starting our Walpurgisnacht fire, using flying ointment, attending the witches’ sabbat, and meeting the Devil there.
If you’re outside, start the fire; if inside, light the candle, and set it in a central part of a room, where you can circle it to raise energy
Flying Ointment, The Witches Sabbat, Meeting the Devil-Pt. 2
Flying ointment is most often applied to the temples, soles of your feet, or, the underside of your wrists. I will advise caution, especially for first time users, and suggest using a small amount first, especially as known poisons such as belladonna are in traditional recipes. Allow it to set in, effects usually start to appear within 15-30 minutes.
Now that the entheogen is in your system, begin dancing round the fire, or circling the flame, until you no longer can. Then allow yourself to fall to the ground (in a safe manner). Now, you’re ready for spirit flight and attending the Witches’ Sabbat.
To achieve spirit flight, close your eyes; begin to feel the ointment lifting you up, into the night sky. You may choose a broom if you wish, or any other instrument. You may also fly just as yourself, with no tool. Now, begin looking to the ground; eventually, you see a large bonfire lit in a small clearing in the woods. There are many people there, dancing nude around the fire. There is also a shadowy figure in the tree line just past the festivities. You decide to land there, and you begin dancing round the fire as well, reaching an ecstatic state. You then find yourself falling onto the ground in a stupor; you hear the approach of someone, but it’s not a human footstep; more like hooves! You look up, and see a half-man, half-goat creature. He emanates raw power, raw masculinity, and the untamed aspects of nature; he is at once shadow, and light. Was he known as a Horned One in ancient days? Or is he something else entirely?
Sit with him; sit in his presence. Gain whatever gnosis or experience you need to. The Witches’ Devil, in his many guises, provides us exactly what we need, when we need it, so long as we’re brave enough to approach him.
Once you’ve completed whatever work you need and/or want to do, it’s time to fly back home. Begin feeling yourself lifting up to fly again, and begin heading back home, to your body. Once you’re back inside yourself, your body, take three deep breaths, and begin wiggling your extremities. Slowly open your eyes, and continue grounding via your preferred method. Once you’ve fully grounded back into this realm, you can begin your spell work.
Here, you’ll do any spell work you’ve elected to do. You can always ask the Witches’ Devil to empower your magicks tonight, as well as ask for his expertise in the darker arts, like spirit conjuring. For an added touch, you may dance or circle the fire/flame to help raise energy for whatever workings you’ve done.
Now, all that’s left is to close the ritual circle. This is done by simply working the circle casting ritual backwards. Starting from the last step, dismiss the elements and spirits, working counterclockwise. After this, trace the circle thrice counterclockwise. Then, cleanse the space via the elements as in the opening steps of the circle casting, but counterclockwise this time. The ritual is now finished, the gates closed and circle banished.
Closing Thoughts
Walpurgisnacht is a time of power for witches, warlocks, sorcerers and cunning folks, especially those who embrace the traditional lore of the cunning path. That’s not to say that Neo-Pagan methods don’t have their value, but sometimes, working within traditional frameworks and lore can be empowering, freeing, and allow for personal and spiritual growth. Other (classical) deities that could be called upon, for those uncomfortable with the Devil, even as a Witches’ ally, include:
- Diana (in Stregheria, 4/30-5/1 are known as “Diana’s Day”)
- Maia/Gaia-the Earth Mother Goddess
- Helios/Sol
- Pan/Faunus/Silvanus
- Zeus/Jupiter
- Apollo
I hope this article sparks inspiration within each person who reads this, and I hope each and every one of you finds a way to embrace your inner power, be it magickal, spiritual, personal or any other form of power. Sow the seeds for something to great to come, and welcome life back during the daytime, and work with the other side, the unknown, during the night. We are at once, shadow and light.
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Author Bio:
The Modern Merlin is a Polytheist, Pagan, Animist, Witch, Sorcerer, Paranormal Investigator, Amateur Folklorist, Chaos Magician and Occultist. He embarked on his spiritual and magickal journey over 15 years ago. As such, he has extensive knowledge of The Occult, Ceremonial Magick, Chaos Magick, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and both modern and ancient world religions and folklore. He is a practicing Sorcerer, blending ceremonial high magick, chaos magick and witchcraft, as well as plant medicine, poisonous plants and entheogens, shamanic techniques, and mysticism. He believes that magick can be as simple or as complex as one needs it to be, and rejects dogma, instead trusting his intuition, and encourages other magickal and spiritual folks to do the same! He venerates and casts magick with a wide array of spirits and deities, and works with both the Left and Right Hand Paths, having experience in both. He has also studied eastern philosophies such as Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Hinduism. He is an Astrologer and Tarot reader and actively studies and practices many other forms of divination including Runes, Ogham, Palmistry, Lenormand and Scrying. An animal lover, he sees divinity in nature-the trees, plants, animals and sky. Also an avid reader, you’re hard pressed to not find him nose deep in a book, most likely on an occult, mystical, religious or magickal subject. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns for PaganPages.Org. He gives readings and other spiritual services through his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see! You can reach him on Facebook, or e-mail him at [email protected]
