Beltane - May Day
May Day celebrations go back hundreds of years in agricultural societies. Beltane, celebrated on May 1, is one of the fire festivals, and is a day of flowers, fertility, dancing, bonfires and general merrymaking. Learn about the history of Beltane, as well as some fun crafts, fire-focused rituals, and other celebrations of the season.
When is Beltane 2010?
Beltane celebrates the fertility of spring and the greening of the earth. When is Beltane 2010?
Beltane celebrates the fertility of spring and the greening of the earth. When is Beltane 2010?
Welcoming the Birds at Beltane
As spring arrives, the birds begin nesting and returning to our lives. You can attract birds to your yard with a few simple items, just in time for your Beltane celebrations.
As spring arrives, the birds begin nesting and returning to our lives. You can attract birds to your yard with a few simple items, just in time for your Beltane celebrations.
Fertility Customs and Magic
Fertility of the soil is one of the main focuses at Beltane, and cultures have performed fertility rites for thousands of year each spring. Learn about the magic of some of these ancient ceremonies and traditions.
Fertility of the soil is one of the main focuses at Beltane, and cultures have performed fertility rites for thousands of year each spring. Learn about the magic of some of these ancient ceremonies and traditions.
When Is Beltane 2009?
Beltane celebrates the fertility of spring and the greening of the earth. When is Beltane 2009?
Beltane celebrates the fertility of spring and the greening of the earth. When is Beltane 2009?
All About Beltane
May 1 is known as May Day to many people, but for a lot of Wiccans and Pagans it's Beltane. It's a day to celebrate fertility, fire, and abundance. Learn about the traditions and trends of this Sabbat, how to hold a Maypole Dance, and some great ideas for rituals and celebrations.
May 1 is known as May Day to many people, but for a lot of Wiccans and Pagans it's Beltane. It's a day to celebrate fertility, fire, and abundance. Learn about the traditions and trends of this Sabbat, how to hold a Maypole Dance, and some great ideas for rituals and celebrations.
Beltane History - Celebrating May Day
Beltane has been celebrated for centuries among agricultural societies -- it's the beginning of May, the sign that summer is just around the corner. This fire festival has its roots in fertility rituals that can be traced back to Greco-Roman religions. Learn about traditions of May celebrations from around the world.
Beltane has been celebrated for centuries among agricultural societies -- it's the beginning of May, the sign that summer is just around the corner. This fire festival has its roots in fertility rituals that can be traced back to Greco-Roman religions. Learn about traditions of May celebrations from around the world.
Setting Up Your Beltane Altar - What To Include on Your Beltane Altar
Okay, so we know that Beltane is a fertility festival... but how do you translate that into altar setup? Here are some tips about how to set up your altar to celebrate the Beltane sabbat.
Okay, so we know that Beltane is a fertility festival... but how do you translate that into altar setup? Here are some tips about how to set up your altar to celebrate the Beltane sabbat.
Beltane Altar Photo Gallery
Beltane is a celebration of fertility and fire, and a number of our readers have shared their altar decorations with us. Check out this image gallery to see how other Pagans and Wiccans set up their altar for Beltane.
Beltane is a celebration of fertility and fire, and a number of our readers have shared their altar decorations with us. Check out this image gallery to see how other Pagans and Wiccans set up their altar for Beltane.
Celebrate Beltane with a Maypole Dance
The tradition of the Maypole Dance has been around for a long time -- it's a celebration of the fertility of the season. If you have a big group of friends and a lot of ribbon, you can easily hold your own Maypole Dance as part of your Beltane festivities.
The tradition of the Maypole Dance has been around for a long time -- it's a celebration of the fertility of the season. If you have a big group of friends and a lot of ribbon, you can easily hold your own Maypole Dance as part of your Beltane festivities.
Hold a Beltane Bonfire Rite (Group Ceremony)
Beltane is a time of fire and fertility. Combine the passion of a roaring bonfire with the love of the May Queen and the God of the Forest, and you've got a recipe for a fantastic ritual. Use your imagination to kick start your Beltane festivities with this group ritual.
Beltane is a time of fire and fertility. Combine the passion of a roaring bonfire with the love of the May Queen and the God of the Forest, and you've got a recipe for a fantastic ritual. Use your imagination to kick start your Beltane festivities with this group ritual.
Hold a Family Abundance Rite for Beltane
Some parents may not be comfortable with the phallic fertility images so often found at Beltane. If you're looking for a way to celebrate this Sabbat with kids that focuses more on abundance and less on sexuality, try this simple planting ceremony instead.
Some parents may not be comfortable with the phallic fertility images so often found at Beltane. If you're looking for a way to celebrate this Sabbat with kids that focuses more on abundance and less on sexuality, try this simple planting ceremony instead.
Honor the Sacred Feminine with a Goddess Ritual
When spring arrives, we can see the fertility of the earth in full bloom. For many traditions, this brings the opportunity to celebrate the sacred feminine energy of the universe. This simple goddess ritual honors the feminine, while also celebrating our female ancestors.
When spring arrives, we can see the fertility of the earth in full bloom. For many traditions, this brings the opportunity to celebrate the sacred feminine energy of the universe. This simple goddess ritual honors the feminine, while also celebrating our female ancestors.
Floralia: The Roman May Day Celebration
Long before the medieval peasantry of the British Isles erected their Maypoles, the ancient Romans were partying hard in honor of Flora, their spring fertility goddess. She had her very own festival, called Floralia, and there was all kinds of merrymaking going on!
Long before the medieval peasantry of the British Isles erected their Maypoles, the ancient Romans were partying hard in honor of Flora, their spring fertility goddess. She had her very own festival, called Floralia, and there was all kinds of merrymaking going on!
Morris Dancing and Mummer's Plays
In rural English villages, Morris dancing and Mummer's plays are popular around the Beltane season. What's the history behind these unusual performance pieces?
In rural English villages, Morris dancing and Mummer's plays are popular around the Beltane season. What's the history behind these unusual performance pieces?
Walpurgisnacht
What is Walpurgisnacht, and how is it celebrated in modern Pagan traditions?
What is Walpurgisnacht, and how is it celebrated in modern Pagan traditions?
Fertility Deities of Beltane
Beltane has been a time of fertility celebration for thousands of years, in innumerable cultures. Learn about some of the different deities that can be honored during this spring Sabbat.
Beltane has been a time of fertility celebration for thousands of years, in innumerable cultures. Learn about some of the different deities that can be honored during this spring Sabbat.
Legends and Lore of Beltane
There are a lot of myths and folklore surrounding May Day, or Beltane. Learn about some of the stories about this magical, mystical spring Sabbat!
There are a lot of myths and folklore surrounding May Day, or Beltane. Learn about some of the stories about this magical, mystical spring Sabbat!
Faerie Lore - The Fae at Beltane
Some people believe that the Fae are most active around the time of Beltane. What are these otherworldly creatures, and where do they come from?
Some people believe that the Fae are most active around the time of Beltane. What are these otherworldly creatures, and where do they come from?
The Legend of the May Queen and the Queen of Winter
In some Wiccan traditions, the battle for dominance is not between an Oak King and a Holly King, but in fact between the May Queen and the Queen of Winter. Learn about the cycle of the triple goddess, and her aspects as Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
In some Wiccan traditions, the battle for dominance is not between an Oak King and a Holly King, but in fact between the May Queen and the Queen of Winter. Learn about the cycle of the triple goddess, and her aspects as Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
The Language of Flowers - Flowers and Their Meanings
During the nineteenth century, it became popular to send someone a message using only flowers. Each one had its own symbolism, so the type of flower you sent was very important. Here's a partial list of some popular flowers and their secret meanings
During the nineteenth century, it became popular to send someone a message using only flowers. Each one had its own symbolism, so the type of flower you sent was very important. Here's a partial list of some popular flowers and their secret meanings
Legends and Lore of Bees
Where does the phrase "busy as a bee" come from? Why is honey the nectar of the gods? Let's look at some of the folklore and legends that surround the magical bee.
Where does the phrase "busy as a bee" come from? Why is honey the nectar of the gods? Let's look at some of the folklore and legends that surround the magical bee.
The Green Man, Spirit of the Forest
The Green Man appears in many forms in British and Celtic myth. What is the Green Man, and what does he really represent?
The Green Man appears in many forms in British and Celtic myth. What is the Green Man, and what does he really represent?