Beltane - May Day

Beltane

The Wheel of The Year is moving to the cross quarter holiday of Beltane. The Gaelic Festival is often referred to as May Day, observed on the first of May. This festival falls midway between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice in the northern hemisphere. The holiday celebrates the peak of spring, the season of fertility, life and light. 

Ancients performed protection rituals on cattle, crops and people in hopes to encourage growth. People and their cattle would walk around, between or even leaped over flames or embers of bonfires. Flames, smoke and ashes of sacred bonfires were sought to hold protective powers. Household fires would be put out and then re-lit from the Beltane fire. People who gathered around the fires would celebrate with feasts. Some food and drinks would also become offerings to the Beltane fire. During this celebration you can find yellow May flowers adorned on doors, windows, barns and even livestock. Yellow flowers are thought to invoke the element of fire as well as spreading the feelings of joy and positive energy.

Additional traditions include making and wearing flower crowns with ribbon and lace. This time of year is also said to be when the veil is thin between the human world and the fae realm, it has become customary to leave offerings for the fae. Full sized or craft sized maypoles can be decorated as a symbol for the divine feminine and masculine. 

Beltane Traditions:

🔥Lighting bonfires

🔥Walk around or between the bonfires

🔥Feasting

🔥Create Fairy Garden

🔥White or Yellow flowers adorned doors, windows, and livestock

🔥Sacred Holy Wells are visited as Beltane dew is thought to maintain youthfulness

Sabbats Dates: Northern Hemisphere May 1st. Southern Hemisphere November 1st. 

The Greater Sabbats include:

Imbolc

Beltane

Lughnasadh

Samhain

The Lesser Sabbats known as the "Quarter Days" include:

Ostara - Spring Equinox

Litha - Summer Solstice

Mabon - Autumn / Fall Equinox

Yule - Winter Solstice

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