Beltane

Beltane

This was certainly a major festival in the British culture, the earliest reference to it seems to be in Cormac's Glossary, written in the early 10th century in Ireland. In it the writer mentions a 'lucky fire' which was actually in two parts between which cattle would pass to rid them of any diseases and afflictions prior to going out to summer pasture, this was said to have been done with much accompanying incantation by the local druids. The name has been a subject of much discussion some favouring the idea of an essentially European Celtic god Belenus, unfortunately the Irish Celts didn't seem to have invoked him in any other way and so the current thinking is that 'bel' means exactly what it was used for in the language, i.e. lucky or bright, ('tane' is fire).

Fires of this nature were well documented over the centuries and can also be found in other areas of Britain, with it's attendant rituals being very similar, often sacred woods were used. In Wales it is known as Calan Mai. It is thought to be Celtic in it's origin but seems to have only been a British Celtic custom as their European cousins didn't celebrate it. (Where similar rites are found in Europe, they are not in known Celtic territories.)
What is doubtlessly older and far more widespread is the idea of bringing home summer flowers do decorate and /or protect the house and livestock, or to give as gifts of garlands. We usually associate this with the hawthorn blossom or 'May', however it appears many varied trees were used in this rite, such as birch (this was found in Wales), rowan and plum. Hawthorn was simply the most common one. A variety of flowers could be used too, honeysuckle, violet, oxlip, cowslips and other meadow flowers have all been mentioned in records. It is usually the young of both sexes involved in these rites of celebrating the youth and fertility of summer. Many of the rites have some unlucky thing or person left to carry the bad luck for the season, a very ancient belief.

Singing and dancing were also very popular in later periods and possibly much further back in time. The maypole seems to have been a fairly modern idea, the first written record of which was in Llandiloes in the 14th century. It's symbology is much questioned , but it seems that the simplest may be the best, that of decking a tree in blooms much as Nature herself had done.
Jack-in-the-green is also a modern creation, but has now come to represent the spirit of vegetation, the young god of the season.

Beltane is essentially a celebration of the arrival of summer with all it's attendant fertility and abundance. Outwardly we mark this turning in the cycle of the year with joy and celebration, easier living is nigh, a chance to relax in warm sun, a chance to show ourselves off, no longer huddled against the weather. Fertility on many levels is the theme now, it can of course be physically, with a loving partner or individually by appreciating the body our energies are housed in in a caring way such as eating fresh foods and bathing in some nice oils, having a massage etc. It can also be used as a time to create union inwardly between the conflicting masculine and feminine sides our nature. Of course it is an excellent time to appreciate the great beauty of our Mother Earth and be aware of our union with Her.

As our energies run higher now, this is a good time to develop or revive healthy outdoor activities for our bodies and minds, by liberating the pent up feeling a day indoors can bring. This energy is on the increase until the solstice and so it is a good time to get habits established.