Burning of the witch to usher in Spring
Every April 30th Czechs all around Bohemia and Moravia burn a witch in effigy to bring in the Spring. It is a celebration to move past the winter by burning all the bad spirits away..... In the form a witch made of hay or something flammable.
Kids in volyne, where I visited April 30th, dressed up and played games before the big burning.
I know.... this somehow doesn't sound right....the "Burning Times" that were in Europe's past is nothing to glorify..... thousands of innocent people lost their lives to superstition but I like to think of this active tradition as a way to move forward from the dark winter days to celebrate the new. Some actual Wiccans (religious order of Wicca or witches) worship with fire on this date as well because it is the most revered day of the year. Anyway, another reason the have a Czech celebration and kick back some Pivo (beer)......Czechs love their holidays and Pivo!
Kids in volyne, where I visited April 30th, dressed up and played games before the big burning.
I know.... this somehow doesn't sound right....the "Burning Times" that were in Europe's past is nothing to glorify..... thousands of innocent people lost their lives to superstition but I like to think of this active tradition as a way to move forward from the dark winter days to celebrate the new. Some actual Wiccans (religious order of Wicca or witches) worship with fire on this date as well because it is the most revered day of the year. Anyway, another reason the have a Czech celebration and kick back some Pivo (beer)......Czechs love their holidays and Pivo!
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