Now observed by Modern Pagans and those who follow a cyclical system of beliefs, Beltane (aka Beltain, Bealtaine, Boaldyn) was historically a Gaelic festival mainly celebrated in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, introducing the very beginning of Summer.
It falls on May 1st (May Day), and marks the half way point between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice. Therefore, Beltane, along with Imbolc, Lugnasadh and Samhain, is a Cross Quarter Sabbat and seasonal Fire Festival, marking the change of a season and an important time in the Wheel of the Year.
Beltane traditionally marks the beginning of the pastoral summer season and was the time when cattle would be put back out into the fields for pasture. To ensure the safety and good health of the herds, livestock would be driven in between two Beltane bonfires as a ritual of protection and purification.
The Beltane bonfires inspired a fire jumping tradition whereby folks could jump over (or walk around) the fires to ensure their own safety and good health too! It was not unheard of for a pregnant woman to jump the fire to ensure healthy delivery of their baby, a sick person to leave their diseases in the flames, or for travellers to perform the rite to secure safe onward travel. Others would simply make a wish as they jumped.
Fire mimics the sun and equals hope and sustainability of life as well as providing a burning purification and removal of harmful energies – our ancestors respected and revered fire as a powerful and important part of their rites.
But it’s not just the bonfires that characterise the festival of Beltane! We also honour flowers and blossoms at this time of the year. Yellow and white blooms are of particular focus, especially Hawthorn, Primrose and Gorse. Rowan and Hazel are also associated with Beltane and could be placed in windows and doorways to let their magical properties fill the home.
What about the Maypole?
A rather unapologetic phallic symbol, the Maypole represents the union of masculine and feminine as young maidens would dance around the cheerful erection, wrapping their ribbons around it, creating a web of magical energy.
May day is all about the union of the Sun God with Mother Earth, The May Queen and The Green Man…
The May Queen is Spring, the promise of renewal, beauty and innocence. The Green Man is fertility, abundance, growth and regeneration. Their courtship dance invokes the power of nature to bring new life and prosperity to the community and the world. It is the ultimate celebration of the reconciliation of opposites in love.
As Rae Beth writes, “the spirituality of pleasure is an alien concept in our present culture, but it is the theme of the Beltane Rite: innocent pleasure in sensuality, and the creativity which arises from the union of opposites” (Hedge Witch: A Guide to Solitary Witchcraft ISBN 0-7090-4851-3 - Hale 1990)
This beautiful festival of sensuality and playfulness inspires us to “a-maying” – our ancestors would often be seen disappearing off into the greenwood, returning the next day with armfuls of flowers to decorate their homes – as well as anything else which may have been created during the night’s activities ;-)
Indeed, as well as lovemaking, to witness the rising of the sun on Beltane is to invite the power of the summer sun into your life and honour the new season in the warmer half of the year!
Listen to this song I used to sing when I was part of an Elizabethan band:
Now is the Month of Maying: A Renaissance Madrigal by Thomas Morley (1595)
How Can You Bring Beltane into your Practice?
Wear Yellow to symbolise the Sun or White for Purity
Light a candle to represent the Beltane Bonfires and make your wishes known
Create flower garlands and wear them or hang them in your homeTie ribbons of paper (or other biodegradable materials) to trees to represent your wishes
Leave a fairy offering (a small gift of flowers) outside your main home entrance to encourage the fae to protect your home and property
Make love and enjoy the pleasures of your lover’s body – outside is great if you live somewhere secluded ;-)
Watch the sun rise and honour the dawn
Beltane Correspondances (a non-exhaustive list)
Deities
Aphrodite/Venus (Ancient Greek / Roman goddess of LOVE)
Artemis/Diana (Ancient Greek / Roman goddess of the hunt, wild beasts, the wilderness and the night)
Cernunnos (Gaelic god of beasts and wild places)
The Green Man (The masculine embodiment of Nature - the Oak King)
The Horned God (The divine masculine counterpart to the Triple Goddess, the divine feminine)
Mother Earth
Pan (Ancient Greek god of sheep, wild spaces, folk music and companion to nymphs)
(also spirits such as Fairies & Satyrs)
Symbols
Fires
Flowers
Maypole
Bees
Fairies
Crystals
Green Aventurine
Amber
Malachite
Carnelian
Bloodstone
Garnet
Herbs, Trees & Flowers
Hawthorn
Alder
Rowan
Clover
Thyme
Bluebells
Daffodils
Honeysuckle
Rose
Tulip
Colours
White
Yellow
Gold
Green
Magical Workings
Abundance
Connection
Protection
Fertility
Purification
Above all else, Beltane is a time of celebration and playfulness - it's a time to inspire and be inspired - and it's time to embrace your wild side!
Always remember that if you decide to do any rituals or ceremonies, only do things you feel comfortable with or that resonate with you - and if you take your magical workings outside, make sure to leave the wild spaces clean and tidy, ensure that anything you do need to leave behind is safely biodegradable and considerate of the local flora and fauna and if you are lighting fires, be super careful at all times!
With love and light
Cheryl <3
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