Beltane
Beltane (bel-tayn) is a Pagan holiday marking the half way point between the Spring Equinox (Ostara) and the Summer Solstice (Litha). Beltane is celebrated May 1st in the northern hemisphere and October 31st in the southern hemisphere. Beltane is one of the four Gaelic fire festivals marking the beginning of the light half of the year.
The maypole wrapped in flowers and ribbon is a common symbol of Beltane and you dance around it in hopes to bring in fertility. There was no historical mention of the maypole till after the 1300's. Early maypoles were simply stripped trees adorned in greenery and flowers. It was not in till recently that the maypole got its phallic association.
Fires are associated with Beltane for good luck. An early surviving text had "lucky fire" under the entry 'Beltane'. Druids used to bring the cattle to the fires each year to protect against diseases before they were driven out to the summer pastures. Today it’s common to jump over the fire for luck and burning away your fears in the fire.
Beltane is associated with fertility, rebirth, purification, abundance, joy, love, and sexuality. The sun is setting later than it did at the spring equinox, days are getting much warmer. The veil between the worlds is thin at this time.
This is a time for purification and protection. Common symbols associated at this time are ribbons, maypole, cows, fire, flowers crowns, fairies, baskets, and wreaths.
Correspondences
NH: May 1 SH: October 31
Colors: Blue, Green, Pink, Red, White, Yellow
Decor: Baskets, Cauldron, Cows, Fairies, Fire, Flowers, May Pole, Ribbons, Wreaths
Animals: Bees, Cats, Cows, Frogs, Doves, Goats, Rabbits, Swans
Rituals: Abundance, Fertility, Love, Prosperity, Protection, Purification
Herbs: Angelica, Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Cinquefoil, Clove, Dandelion, Dasiy, Dill, Dragons Blood, Eucalyptus, Eyebright, Feverfew, Frankincense, Hawthorn, Ivy, Juniper, Lemon Balm, Lilac, Marigold, Meadowsweet, Mint, Mugwort, Mullein, Oak, Pennyroyal, Raspberry Leaf, Red Clover, Rose, Rosemary, Rue, St. Johns Wort, Thyme, Tulips, Woodruff
Crystals: Amber, Bloodstone, Carnelian, Citrine, Emerald, Fire Agate, Fluorite, Garnet, Green Aventurine, Hawthorn, Kunzite, Lepidolite, Malachite, Moonstone, Moss Agate, Obsidian, Red Jasper, Rhodonite, Rose Quartz, Sapphire, Sunstone, Tigers Eye
Ways to Celebrate
Make a flower crown
Plant a garden
Do some self care
Cast spell work for abundance, prosperity, purification, love
Dance around the may pole
Write wishes and prayers on ribbon and hang them in a tree or bush
Jump over a fire for good luck
Leave offerings for the Fae
