Celebrating Beltane

Guest blog by Alison Thompson

Beltane is one of the four cross quarter fire festivals. It is the opposite of Samhain in the Pagan Wheel of the Year. Beltane is traditionally celebrated from sundown on 31st April until the 2nd May. There are many myths and legends surrounding Beltane. It brought the coming of the summer and as such it was a very important time and much merry making can be found when you start to explore ancient customs. Many of these customs still survive through to today, and still others are being revived as a way of going back to our roots and honouring all of nature and all that she provides for us.

Bel-fires

The name Beltane is derived from the Celtic “bel” meaning good, and “tan” meaning fire. The ancient druids used to celebrate by lighting large bel-fires made from 9 types of wood on local beacons on the eve of 31st April. The bel-fire was considered to be the fire of the Gaelic God of Light. Beltane, Beltain or Beltaine is also known as the Celtic May Day.

These bel-fires were symbolic of many things. They were filled by the ancient druids with highly scented herbs and sacred plants and the fragrant smoke was used to purify the cattle and sheep before the journey to new pastures began. The cattle were driven between the bel-fires at Beltane to protect them from ills. Contact with the fire was interpreted as symbolic contact with the sun. The bel-fires were often burnt on hilltops, and used as a symbol of strengthening the sun, which would bless the earth for fruitful crops at this very important time in the agricultural calendar. Beltane fires would often create a chain of beacons on hilltops across the land.

Dancing round the maypole

Beltane is a festival celebrating the union of the god and goddess, often symbolised as the Greenman and the May Queen. The flowers and greenery symbolise the Goddess and the maypole represents the God. The May King was often chosen by a contest, usually dash to the foot of the maypole.

The community would all dance around the maypole wearing ribbons and mayflower headresses, and would dance the dance of the spiral of life. The intertwining of the maypole ribbons can be seen to represent the joining of male and female energies. We are seeing a renewed popularity of the maypole dance in many parts of the world today.

Morris dancing was also popular at Beltane and still survives today. Morris dancing can be found in church records in Thame, England going back to 1555, apparently popular at Beltane or Mayday during Tudor times.

Ley lines

The earth’s amazing energy is particularly potent at this time of the year. You can feel it if you stand with your bare feet on the ground, particularly if close to an ancient ley line. This is a perfect time of the year for walking along ley lines or the dragon paths that snake the countryside.

All of nature is growing and nurturing at this time of year; it is a time for celebrating unions and fertility either in conceiving a child or for improvements in career and other areas of life. It is a time of creative inspiration and for improved health and increased energy. We look at the fertility that is all around us and bring that into our daily lives, enriching our health and home and encouraging new projects to spring into life. Enjoy the fertile joy that Beltane brings with it. What does Beltane mean to you?

How can you celebrate Beltane?

There are many ways that you can celebrate Beltane, either on your own or with family or friends. You can attend a local maypole dance or morris dance, build your own Beltane fire or light a candle and make a wish for the coming summer, or entwine red and white ribbons as you think of your loved ones. Wheel of the Year charms can be purchased here. These beautiful gemstone charms will enhance the strength that comes with each passing season allowing you to truly experience the joy of our wonderful changing environment.

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