Beltane -

( 1 May )

Beltane, the basis of May Day, is the traditional celebration that marks the beginning of summer and the abundance associated with winter warmth

Beltane is the midpoint between the spring and the summer solstice. It is called a \”cross-quarter\” and is also a fire festival, celebrated around the 1 May. the origins of the name are not clear, although \”fire of Bel\”, the bright or shining one, or simply \”good fire\” are reasonable suppositions.

Abundance of Spring

Beltane is the peak of spring and the first hint of summer. What was set in motion in the Spring Equinox in the form of buds and shoots, as well as the seeds of ideas, is manifesting itself. Nature is abundant with flowers, the Hawthorn tree drips with May blossom and everything is vibrant. At Beltane, male and female come together in unabashed sexuality. Young people would spend the night in the woods \”a maying\” and married couples could abandon their vows for the night.

Beltane in the modern world

Beltane marked the start of the summer and the beginning of the pastoral season and celebrations focused on sexuality, fertility and abundance. The lord of the Greenwood and Queen of the May symbolise the divine union of male and female. The traditional Maypole is a symbol of the male phallus and the female principle is represented by baskets and wreaths, while the weaving of the red and white ribbons symbolises their reconnection.

We still have Maypoles now but the male god has gone. Christianity kept the Queen of the May but transformed her into a symbol of virginity, purity and chastity. Beltane used to be a time when everyone, with their class and status suspended for the day, went \”a maying\”. So, with may Day already associated with the masses, it was natural that May Day has become a modern-day workers holiday in many places around the world.

Celebrate Beltane with traditional festive rituals that welcome in the summer season and help your wishes for the new season come true.

Beltane fires

$\"Beltane$

The Beltane fires were fundamental to ancient celebrations. Cattle were driven through the fire to clean off ticks and mites, to gain immunity from disease. People also jumped over the fires to symbolise burning off their past. Beltane fires were built from nine sacred trees and had to be kindled in a special way.

Purifying Fire

You can make a small bonfire: build it with special twigs or have each of your friends bring a contribution. if indoors, you can make a \”fire\” by putting a candle in a central place, use a green candle to represent the cleansing flame of the Beltane. By jumping (carefully!) over the fire or candle, you will have performed your own purification ritual.

Gift for a tree

The Hawthorn tree is most closely associated with Beltane and with fairies, who sometimes grant wishes. The traditional way to ask for a wish is to leave strips of coloured cloth or ribbon on a tree. $\"\"$ You can symbolise the tree with a potted plant. Choose cloth of an appropriate colour:

Blue for protection
Pink for romance
Purple for knowledge
Green for prosperity

Leave a gift for the spirit of the tree and, when your wish has been granted, return and leave another gift to say thank you.

Sacrificial Cakes

$\"\"$ As the Beltane fires, cakes were prepared that related to sacrificial burning. One part of the cake was blackened and the cake is broken up according to how many people were present. The cakes were ceremony shared out; the person who received the blackened piece of cake was the Beltane \”carline\” – they would be \”devoted\” or offered up. The company would then make a show of pretending to toss this person onto the fire and others would rescue them. This role represents a symbolic scapegoat, so after the ceremony be extra nice to your carline to thank them for taking on this role for you.

Beltane Headress

$\"\"$ For your celebrations, wearing green symbolises the fertility of Beltane. Make a wreath of flowers to wear on your head to symbolise the Queen of May and a wreath made of green leaves to symbolise the Lord of the Greenwood.

Festive Garlands

Garlands of May blossom are what is meant in the song \\\” here we go gathering knots of may \\\” it is not nuts that we are gathering!

Get up before the dawn and then, wearing your celebratory clothes and hairdressers, enjoy the Beltane sunrise and the start of the summer season.

Beltane