“It is thought that the ancients only recognised two seasons, these being Summer and Winter. Beltane is the time when the Earth is literally buzzing with fertility. Life springs forth in all of its richness, and the land is covered with beautiful flowers; the freshly opened leaves of the trees are a quality of green that they only show at this time of year. At Beltane the Lady of the Land takes the hand of the Horned God. Some … look to the flowers of the May tree as their signal that Beltane has, at last, arrived.”
Every year, throughout the world and especially in the United Kingdom and Ireland, usually on May 1st (occasionally on April 30th), Witches, Druids and other Pagans gather to celebrate Beltane (Irish Gaelic: Bealtaine), the Fire Festival and celebration of the beginning of summer, to honour the Goddess and God in Their Sacred Union. The Goddess and God vary by tradition, but often They are Danu, Mother of the Tuatha dé Danann, and Cernunnos, the Green Man. Sometimes the Goddess is referred to as the Lady of the Land – also known as Rhiannon, the Welsh Goddess and Great Queen, and the God as Pan, the Horned God. The Sacred Union is not a marriage in the binding sense, but a renewal of the fecund land.
It begins in some places by anointing one’s self with the morning dew, even as the birdsong echoes through the sky, and decorating a Maybush. Maypoles draped in rainbow ribbons are erected and girls in flower crowns along with men and children dance, each holding a strand of ribbon and wrapping it around the pole, singing and laughing. It is a beautiful tradition, going back to possibly ancient Roman times and the Festival of Floralia, or the old German festival of Walpurgis.
At night, great bonfires are lit and couples may wander off together, as it is said the Goddess and God bless all people, animals, birds, and the land with fertility. The fires are symbolic not merely of physical passion and love, however: they reflect the fires of creativity. They also act to honour the light.
“Lighting the Beltane fires on the first of May was a symbolic move to recall the growing power of the sun and cleanse the community of the dark months spent indoors. In Scotland, cattle were traditionally driven around these fires and the community would dance and leap over the flames.”
— Behind the Fire – the Symbolism of Beltane Fire Festival
For those Neo-Pagans who are unable to attend large celebrations, offerings and walks in nature, even in urban settings, candles or small fires in cauldrons, and planting flowers are some ways to celebrate Beltane at home.
However one chooses to honour the beautiful tradition of Beltane, one thing remains the same: it is a time to dance and embrace the fires of Life in the Light half of the year.
— by Ravenhawk Winters
Sources and References:
Llewellyn’s Sabbat Essentials – Beltane: Rituals, Recipes & Lore For May Day, by Melanie Marquis (© 2015, Llewellyn Publications)
Behind the Fire – the Symbolism of Beltane Fire Festival
Alberta Witches Association 