Beltane: Wiccan/Neopagan Gaelic May Day Fest

Amber Larson, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly Wiki

(Scarlet Ravenswood, 4/20) Here's an overview of Celtic Beltane and how to celebrate it in Ireland, Scotland, and beyond (Patreon, Instagram, arcane-alchemy.com).

Beltane (Beltain) is the Gaelic May Day festival. It is most commonly held on May 1st or about halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.

• Happy Eastern Orthodox Easter (Christian fertility rite)

Is it all really about fertility? (India Batson)

Historically, it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. In Irish the festival day's name is Lá Bealtaine, in Scottish Gaelic Là Bealltainn, and in Manx Gaelic Laa Boaltinn (Boaldyn).

It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals — along with Samhain (/sao-win/), Imbolc, and Lughnasadh — and is similar to the Welsh Calan Mai.

Maypole dance sex ritual (RenFaire, NY, USA)

Beltane is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and is associated with important events in Irish mythology. Also known as Cétshamhain ("First of Summer"), it marked the beginning of the hot season, when cattle were driven out to summer pastures.

Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops, and people and to encourage their growth. Special bonfires were kindled. Their flames, smoke, and ashes were deemed to have protective powers.

People and cattle walk around or through these bonfires, sometimes leaping over the flames and embers. Household fires are doused then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire.

Ängsälvor (Swedish "Meadow Elves") enjoy a dance circle (by artist Nils Blommer, 1850)

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Devas or fairies hovered all around the Buddha.

These gatherings are accompanied by a feast, where some of the food and drink are offered to the woodland devas (fairies/elves, the German huldra or "hidden beings") known as the aos sí or aes sidhe.

Doors, windows, byres, and livestock are decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoke fire. In parts of Ireland, people make a womb-like May Bush: typically a thorn bush or branch decorated with flowers, ribbons, bright shells, and rushlights.

Holy wells are also visited, while Beltane dew -- which is thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness -- is smeared on faces.

Maypole arrow in ring?

Many of these customs are part of May Day and Midsummer festivals in other parts of Great Britain and Europe.

Beltane celebrations had largely died out by the mid-20th century, although some of its customs continued, and in some places it has been revived as a cultural event.

Since the late 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed Beltane or related festivals as a religious holiday.

Neopagans in the Southern Hemisphere, on the other hand, celebrate Beltane on or around November 1. More