Beltaine

[meridian_rose]

~Magickal Graphics~The first of May is Beltaine, May Day, Calan Mei, and Walpurgis Night. It is a cross quarter day, falling between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, and it is traditionally the first day of Summer. Whitsun marks the closest Sunday – the first Monday is May is the Whitsun or May Bank Holiday in the UK although the government is trying to move it D:

Beltaine/Beltane is believed to get it's name from "fire of Bel" or "bright fire and is named after the god Belenus.

Fire celebration and rituals are an important part of the Beltane festivities, to insure that the warmth of the Sun's light brings successful growth to the crops. Other May rituals involve Maypole dancing and the Cornish festival in Padstow of the the 'Obby Oss.

There are particular notions of fertility around this festival – notably the young couples going 'maying' in the woods ;D It's also a good time to think about handfastings.

A traditional ritual involved two bonfires; cattle were driven through the smoke of the two fires in a purification/fertility rite. In ancient times all the homestead fires were lit from the Beltaine fire.

Correspondences include: Maypoles, dancing, bonfires, growth, green, bluebells, daisies, primroses, red, white, birdseed. Any bright colours, any fresh flowers, and anything else that symbolises creative growth.

And if you're in the Southern Hemisphere, it's time for Samhain aka Halloween – though probably without the traditional commercial trappings since Halloween has become fixed to the October date. I am, of course, happy to be corrected on this matter. But still, I'm guessing, a time for divination, remembering your ancestors, and noticing the shorter days and longer nights of autumn.