Beltane: An Introduction

Beltane falls halfway between the spring equinox, Ostara, and the summer solstice, Litha. The word Beltane is a Celtic word meaning "the fires of Bel," referring to the Celtic sun god, Belenus. It is believed that at this time, The God, born at the Winter Solstice, has the strength and maturity to court the Goddess. Beltane is the celebration of spring at its peak and the coming summer and is associated with fertility and unions. Participants celebrate with dancing, bonfires, maypoles, and Handfasting.

Ancient Celebrations

The Celts would build 2 bonfires and pass cattle and themselves between the two fires. They believed that it would purify and ensure fertility.

The Romans would pay tribute to their household gods and celebrate the Floralia, the festival of flowers. This celebration lasted three days; they wore flowers in their hair and performed plays, songs, and dances.

Greeks celebrated the Plynteria to honor Athena. The celebration includes feasting and prayers in the Parthenon and the ritual cleansing of Athena's statue. The festival lasted two to three days, beginning around May 25.

The Festival of the Midnight Sun is Celebrated by Norwegians to honor the Norse sun goddess. This festival marks the beginning of ten weeks without darkness. This is a celebration of music, art, and nature. 

Fertility 

According to a legend, women trying to conceive should go out on May Eve to find a "birthing stone," a large rock formation with a hole in the center. Walking through the hole will ensure the conception of a child that night. Alternatively, a charm made from a small stone with a hole in the center with a branch driven though it could be placed under your bed to increase fertility. Babies conceived at Beltane are considered a gift from the gods and called "merry-begots."

Maypole Dance

The Maypole dance is a long known tradition to Western Europeans. Celebrants would dance around the pole decorated with flowers and ribbons. Holding a ribbon each, the dancers created a woven pattern as they made their way around the pole. This tradition dates back to a time when people used to dance around actual trees. In modern times, this practice is much less common. Most people do not have the space to erect a may pole on their property. To honor this old custom many people choose to create a decorative mini pay pole to add to their altar. If you have children, a ‘ribbon dancer’ or gymnastics ribbon may be more entertaining.

Modern Celebrations

 Modern Beltane rituals usually involve many fertility symbols but the theme of fertility can also refers to new beginnings of any type; this can be a career, conceiving a child, creative endeavors, or seeing your garden bloom. Beltane rituals may also include courting or Handfasting (marriage) ceremonies. I personally associate this festival with courtship, maturity and continued growth. In regard to hand fasting, I would see that as being connected to Litha, perhaps I am biased from working as a cake decorator and June is when wedding season starts where I live.

May Queen & The Green Man

The May Queen is a chosen girl who leads the parade for May Day celebrations. She usually wears white and a flower crown. The May Queen is representative of youth, springtime, she is the blushing bride.

I have found some reference to an occasional counterpart to the May Queen, the May King. He is also sometimes referred to as Jack in the Green or the Green Man. He is depicted as a masculine face covered in leaves and foliage. He symbolizes life in the natural plant world and in the earth itself. His likeness has often been used as a decorative aspect of architecture.

The Fae

Beltane, like Samhain, is a time when the veil between the worlds is thin. The appearance of flowers during this time of year shows us the fae are hard at work. These deeds of the fae should always be acknowledged by leaving out food and other treats for them in your garden. As always, be cautious when working with the fae.

Correspondences

Colors: Green, Orange, Red, Yellow

Stones: Bloodstone, Saphire

Plants: Apple, Ash, Cedar, Oak, Willow, Daisy, Blackberry, Ivy, Lilac, Marigold, Cinquefoil, Mushroom

Gods: Baal, Belenus, Cernunnos, Cupid, Freyr, The Green Man, Odin, Pan

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Cybele, Diana, Freya, Frigg, Venus

Animals: Cattle, Rabbit, Bee

Intentions: Creativity, Fertility, Marriage, Pleasure, Otherworld/Underworld