The transition from spring to summer marks the celebration of Beltane: an ancient Gaelic holiday celebrated on May 1st. Beltane originated in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It was originally created to welcome the warmth and growth summer has to offer, and serve as the opposite of Samhain, the welcoming of winter. As the years passed, the holiday evolved and weaved itself into different Neopagan belief systems, and the seasonal festivals were celebrated around the world.
Beltane has been around for thousands of years, meaning there is a rich history behind it. Historians believe that early pastoral communities in northern Europe first used this date to mark a vital turning point in the agricultural year. The transhumance was what was called during the time to release their cattle into pastures. To ensure the safety of the herd, Druids, Celtic religious leaders, would light need-fires using sacred woods to honor the Celtic god of light, fire, and healing. Bonfires were an important aspect of celebrating. Not only would people jump over them to bring good luck, purification, and fertility, but they would drive their cattle between them to offer protection. A staple of the holiday is the Maypole, which inspired the modern name of the celebration, May Day. A Maypole is a tall pole embellished with ribbon and flowers to be danced around. The intertwining of the different colored ribbons represented the binding together of the community.
Beyond the celebrations, Beltane folklore is steeped in the supernatural. The holiday is considered a “spirit night” where the veil between the human world and the spiritual world is its thinnest. Historically Celtics believed in faeries and would leave offerings of milk and honey on Beltane eve. Women would also wash their faces with the May morning dew to preserve youth and beauty.
Modern day ways to celebrate are different because of the shift from agriculture to art. Originally Beltane was a mundane holiday for livestock, then it became more of a theatrical performance. For example, instead of driving livestock between bonfires, there is extravagant dancing around them. Instead of centering the holiday around Belenus the Celtic god, it is centered around the May Queen, representation of summer, and the Green Man, representation of winter. Modern day is also commonly used as a wedding day for pagan marriages.
If you are interested in celebrating this year, there are unique ways to honor that day that differ from person to person. Some people prefer a social approach and like to invite friends to have a large bonfire with fresh food, flowers, arts, crafts, music, and dancing. Others may enjoy a solitary walk to collect yellow flowers, primrose or hawthorne, to decorate their homes. Beltane is also a day for self care; spending time on your health and growth is a great way to spend the day.
Though the holiday is not as popular as others, it is a great and powerful way to build community and enjoy nature while bringing positivity and warmth into the year.
