From Patti Wigington,
Your Guide to Paganism / Wicca.
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April's showers have given way to rich and fertile earth, and as the land greens, there are few celebrations as representative of fertility as Beltane. Observed on May 1st, festivities typically begin the evening before, on the last night of April. It's a time to welcome the abundance of the fertile earth, and a day that has a long (and sometimes scandalous) history. Depending on your tradition, there are a number of ways you can celebrate this Sabbat. First, you might want to read up on:

• Beltane History

Rituals and Ceremonies

Depending on your particular tradition, there are many different ways you can celebrate Beltane, but the focus is nearly always on fertility. It's the time when the earth mother opens up to the fertility god, and their union brings about healthy livestock, strong crops, and new life all around.

Here are a few rituals you may want to think about trying -- and remember, any of them can be adapted for either a solitary practitioner or a small group, with just a little planning ahead.

• Celebrate Beltane with a Maypole Dance
• Beltane Bonfire Ritual - a group ceremony
• Hold a Family Abundance Rite for Beltane
• Handfastings and Weddings

Traditions and Trends

Interested in learning about some of the traditions behind the celebrations of May Day? Learn why the Romans had a big party, and who the popular fertility gods are.

• Setting Up Your Beltane Altar
• Deities of Beltane
• Magical Spring Flowers
• Floralia: The Roman May Day Celebration
• Legends and Lore of Beltane
• Plant a Magical Moon Garden
• The May Queen vs. the Queen of Winter
• Faerie Lore
• The Secret Language of Flowers

Family and Friends

As Beltane approaches, you can decorate your home (and keep your kids entertained) with a number of easy craft projects. Start celebrating a bit early with fun floral crowns and a Maypole altar centerpiece.

• Floral Crown
• Maypole Altar Centerpiece
• Faerie Chair

Feasting and Food

No Pagan celebration is really complete without a meal to go along with it. For Beltane, celebrate with foods that honor fertility of the earth. Enjoy light spring soups, Scottish bannocks, fertility bread loaves, and more.

• Scottish Bannocks - the Beltane oatcake
• Early Summer Salad
• Candied Flower Petals
• Fertility Bread
• Handfasting cake (link coming soon!)