How to Celebrate Beltane

While you may or may not have heard of the pagan holiday called Beltane, you have probably heard of its more common name, May Day. May Day is a modern workers' holiday, but long before that it was a popular holiday celebrated when the flowers started blooming at what was then considered the beginning of summer. Traditionally associated with love and fertility, as well as the return of spring, Beltane is one of the most important festivities of the year to celebrate for many pagans.

Things You'll Need

• May pole (optional)

Instructions

1. Go Maying. One traditional way to celebrate Beltane was called Maying, which meant to stay out late or all night gathering flowers in the woods and fields. Young people often met in the woods at this time and would bring back the flowers they found.

2. Make May baskets. If you have fresh flowers, fill some baskets for festive decorations or to leave on the doorsteps of friends and neighbors.

3. Build a May pole. While May pole dances can get quite complicated, the basic idea is to set up a tall pole (traditionally a tree trunk) with many long streamers attached near the top. Dancers hold these streamers and dance in both directions around the pole, interweaving with the dancers going the other way. This causes the streamers to get woven around the pole until they get quite short and the dance ends.

4. Dress up like a May queen (or king). Get into the spirit of the season by wearing something luxurious and adding a few wild flowers to your ensemble.

5. Celebrate Beltane by feasting on fresh fruit, wine, chocolate, edible flowers, honey, spring greens and other indulgent foods. This is possibly the most appropriate day of the entire year to do so.

6. Spend time with someone you love. Beltane is a traditional celebration of love and fertility, so it's a great day to make some time with that special someone, maybe for a walk or picnic in the park.

7. Have a bonfire. In some areas, Beltane fires traditionally burn all night. There are also traditions of jumping over the fire, especially while holding the hand of a loved one, in order to ensure luck in the coming year.

Tips & Warnings

• Today there's no need to choose between traditional Beltane celebrations and the May Day workers' holiday. Both are folk holidays celebrating the life of the people, and in many places modern festivities may combine elements from both traditions.