The Brightness of Beltane
Summer's Fire Begins
In this fourth installment of our Wheel of the Year series, we explore that liminal eve of fire and flourish known to the ancients as the Pagan festival of Beltane, or “Bealtaine” in Gaelic. Of the eight spokes on the wheel representing the cycle of a single calendar year, Beltane marks the midway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice.
Beltane celebrations are held on May 1, which is also known as May Day. (For the curious, the distress call “mayday” isn’t related to the holiday — it’s actually a phonetic derivation of a French phrase for help me, "m'aidez," and was more clearly understood over communication devices than SOS.) At any rate, May Day is right around the corner and the fires of Beltane are beckoning, so let us plunge into its time-worn rites and weave our own magic upon the turning year.
Light My Fire
Historical sources debate an actual translation of the festival’s name, but seem to agree upon the shared etymological roots with “fire” — fitting, since holding a bonfire is one of the primary means of celebrating the festival.
Traditionally, communities would light one or two massive fires (between which livestock might be driven) to bring luck and fertility in the seasons ahead. Feel free to downsize this ritual with a backyard firepit or even a bit of candle meditation, while pondering the type of luck and/or fertility for which your own life yearns.
Safe to Dance (Around the Maypole)
Another May Day tradition you may be familiar with is dancing around a maypole. Some say it’s a relic of ancient tree worship, as ribbons are also used to adorn various trees and bushes, while others prefer a more Freudian interpretation … . As the old Bambi quote goes, “Nearly everybody gets twitterpated in the springtime!”
In terms of folk dancing, plaiting ribbons around a maypole has rather surprising longevity, when you think about it. Older folks might have participated in this tradition as schoolchildren, much like learning square dancing or contra is sometimes taught in rural gym classes. To the uninitiated, it seems a bit intimidating to learn, but with familiarity I suppose it’s quite rewarding. Simply the act of collaborating with that many humans—nevermind weaving something beautiful in one go—seems revolutionary, especially from the vantage of our siloed times.
While you might not have access to a literal maypole, you could work with your family or friends on a collaborative project. If you’re celebrating solo, consider finding an online tutorial for a simple weaving craft using ribbons or strips of colored paper. Spend some time thinking about the multiplied strength that results from these efforts, and how you can build your own community.
A Spring Clean for the May Queen
Many Beltane celebrations have included flower-crowning a female as the “May Queen,” who becomes the personification of spring that day and in the weeks following. If you have the skillset or want to learn, you might make a flower-crown for you or a friend to wear.
Taking on this mantle of rebirth, select an area of your home that’s in need of a boost and do some spring cleaning. If the spirit of the May Queen doesn’t boost your energy, a good decluttering and room refresh definitely will!
Heed the Greenman
Sometimes costumed performers representing the May Queen and the Green Man cavort together among the Beltane crowds. The Green Man is depicted covered with or emerging from leaves, representing the Pagan reverence for trees and symbolic of the Earth’s virility. The Green Man has been known by several other names throughout history, including the Green Knight, Jack o' the Green, Jack of the Wood, the Oak King, and even Robin Hood. You often find depictions of him hiding in forests, cathedrals, and Irish pubs. (If you find yourself in Asheville, NC, be sure to check out one of our favorite pubs, Jack of the Wood!)
For your own celebration of the day, you might attempt to commune with the seasonal growth of nature by taking a hike through the forest, or visiting a neighborhood tree that mysteriously brings you joy.
True to the abundance of the season, Beltane is one of the most cheerful of the festivals on the Wheel of the Year. We hope your own May Day celebration reflects this whimsical spirit, and brings you closer to those you love.
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