Some Beltane Lore

Beltane (May Day) is up next! Let's see what I can rustle up on it.

*Beltane is the opposite of Samhain, both are times when the veil between the worlds is thinnest. (also, Beltane - Life, Samhain - Death) This is when the Fae come out to play, most often.

*Celtic Reconstructionists usually celebrate when the local hawthorn trees are in bloom, or on the full moon that falls closest to this event (this is also when they would dowse their hearth fire and re-lite it from the celebration bonfire, and pilgrimages to holy wells were common - like at Imbolc)

*THE big fertility festival. Ostara seems to be more about the Earth waking up - this is more about the animals

*One of the four fire festivals.

*Celebration includes frolicking throughout the countryside, maypole dancing, leaping over fires to ensure fertility, circling the fire three times (deosil) for good luck in the coming year, athletic tournaments feasting, music, drinking, children collecting the May: gathering flowers. children gathering flowers, hobby horses, May birching and folks go a maying". Flowers, flower wreaths and garlands are typical decorations for this holiday, as well as ribbons and streamers. Flowers are a big symbol of Beltane, they signal the victory of Summer over Winter and the blossoming of sensuality in all of nature and the bounty it will bring.

*On May Eve (night before) young men used to leave garlands all over a young woman's windows and doors, if they fancied her. This is thought to be the fore-runner to hanging flowers on your door/door-handle today.

*Celebration includes frolicking throughout the countryside, maypole dancing, leaping over fires to ensure fertility, circling the fire three times (sun-wise) for good luck in the coming year, athletic tournaments feasting, music, drinking, children collecting the May: gathering flowers. children gathering flowers, hobby horses, May birching and folks go a maying". Flowers, flower wreaths and garlands are typical decorations for this holiday, as well as ribbons and streamers. Flowers are a crucial symbol of Beltane, they signal the victory of Summer over Winter and the blossoming of sensuality in all of nature and the bounty it will bring.(lots of fun!)

*The Green Man and The Queen of May are important figures today. From what I have learned, the Green Man is the guy who can jump over the balefire, and completely clear it (meaning he is in good shape, virile, so on). He joins with the Queen of May to ensure fertility of the coming year. The Queen of May is supposed to be the prettiest, single young woman, (preferably a virgin, hence the single bit) in the area.

*This time of year, well, this celebration in particular, was a common time for couples to jump the balefires. Doing such traditionally means you are married to the one you jumped with for a year and a day - like handfasting.

*Interesting page - the Beltane Fire Society, in Edinborough.
http://www.beltane.org/news

Have anything to add?

Here in ireland the Beltane fires where common place.Also the animals as in cattle etc where run between the beltane fires for fertility on their way to the summer pastures.