a day in the life of a latvian mom

As April gives way to May, we reach a threshold—Walpurgisnacht, or Valpurģu nakts, the night of April 30th. Though rooted in Germanic and Scandinavian traditions, its spirit echoes in Latvia too—in bonfires, spring rituals, and our deep connection to the land.

Often called the “spring Halloween,” it’s a time to release winter’s weight and invite in light. Witches, folklore says, once danced under the stars on this night—not in fear, but in celebration of change.

April 30th was rainy, but I decided to celebrate my first Walpurgisnacht anyway. I invited a friend to join me, and to my surprise, she used to celebrate it often back in high school! Who knew? As soon as we committed to it, the rain stopped and the sun came out. The evening turned out beautifully. We began with a walk through my fields, gathering anything in bloom for a little bouquet. I burn last summer’s herbs—mugwort and rosemary —to help clear some mental clutter. Then we made herbal tea and wrote down all the good things we want to invite into our lives. Later, Jānis built us a small bonfire. It wasn’t grand, but it was more than we’ve ever done before—and that felt meaningful.

Walpurgisnacht may not be a Latvian holiday, but it fits our seasonal rhythm. A pause between dark and light. A choice to move forward.

Wishing you peace, clarity, and a warm welcome to May. 🌿
Ilze

P.S. That was my last hand-made (by me) beeswax candle…