It’s nearly Beltane – one of my personal favourite celebrations of the year. Beltane celebrates being halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It’s traditionally held on start sundown on 30 April through 1 May and it’s both the peak of spring and the beginning of summer. (It’s also the beginning of my birthday month – huzzah!) There are many customs and traditions that have filtered down through time, and others that are being revived as humans increasingly recognise that our connection to nature is vital.
There are some holidays that just resonant more deeply than others and for me that’s Beltane. I find May Day an absolute joy. We are marking the lighter half of the year.
It is a day dedicated to sensuality, passion, vitality and joy. A time to bring ideas and dreams to action. Just as on Samhain or Halloween the veil between the worlds is supposed to be thin. This day is called Walpurgisnacht in many parts of Europe – almost a second Halloween.
“Also known as May Eve, May Day, and Walpurgis Night, happens at the beginning of May. It celebrates the height of Spring and the flowering of life. The Goddess manifests as the May Queen and Flora. The God emerges as the May King and Jack in the Green. The danced Maypole represents Their unity, with the pole itself being the God and the ribbons that encompass it, the Goddess. Colors are the Rainbow spectrum. Beltane is a festival of flowers, fertility, sensuality, and delight”
– Selena Fox
“The position of sun and moon on the Feast of Beltane is one, with a list if two hundred paired figures laid out beneath. Similar tables existed for Hogmanay and Midsummer’s Day, and Samhainn, the Feast of All Hallows. The ancient feasts of fire and sun, and Beltane‘s sun would rise tomorrow.”
– Diana Gabaldon
So light a bonfire; cleanse your space; take a deep inhale of rosemary; have flowers everywhere; wear your best flower crow; laugh and sing; frolic outside; have a flirt; make love; eat, drink and be merry.
Just remember, if you hear the bells of the Fairy Queen’s horse, look away so she will pass you by.
If you want to read more background about Beltane and ways to celebrate, read my Beltane 2020 post.
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Celebrating Ostara (2021)
Celebrating Imbolc (2021)
Celebrating Beltane 2020
Celebrating the Winter Solstice and Yule
Celebrating Samhain
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