The holy day of Beltaine has had many names in many languages. In Germany, it is Walpurgis Night, named for St Walburga. Of course, this saint had nothing to do with the May Eve celebrations, but the name remains. Walpurgisnacht is derived from Pagan spring customs. In the Norse tradition, Walpurgisnacht is considered the “Enclosure of the Fallen,” commemorating Odin’s discovery of the runes. Beltaine is also called May Day, Giamonios, and Rood Day. The name Rood Day or Roodmas is a Christian name for this holiday derived from the Church’s attempt to divert people from honoring the May Pole to honoring the Rood or Cross. The Puritans even went so far as to make the Maypole illegal in 1644.
Our ancestors counted days as beginning from nightfall on, and so Beltaine begins on evening of the last day of April. Traditionally this was a floating holiday however, celebrated at the peak of the month of Taurus (approx. May 4th or 5th). Many celebrate on April 30th or May 1st, but other traditions call for Beltaine to be held on the first Full Moon of May which will fall on May 9th this year. Tonight, as with Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead is weakened, and in fact, another name for this holiday is Cetsamhain (opposite Samhain). During the night, bonfires are built to keep away dead or chaotic spirits of the season. The return of light and the sun is celebrated on May Day.
No matter the name of the holiday however, the origins of Beltaine can be seen in its name. Beltaine is a solar holiday honoring the returning sun. Though scholars are not certain exactly which solar deity the holiday is named for, “taine” is a reference to fire. If it comes from “Balder’s Fire,” then the fires of this holy day may commemorate his funeral pyre. Other possible origins of the name come from Bel-tinne “Bel’s Fire” or Belotenia “bright fire” from the god of light and the underworld, Bel, Beli, Belinus, or Bile. In the Isle of Lewis, Beltaine is interpreted as beulteine “mouth-fire,” and elsewhere the name was interpreted as bil-tene “lucky fire.” In the Western Isles where yellow is a lucky color, this holy day was referred to as “lath buidhe Bealtaine,” the yellow (lucky) day of Beltaine.
All goddesses of song and dance, flowers, the hunt, and fertility can be honored on Beltaine. For those of the Greek and Roman traditions, the goddesses Aphrodite/Venus, Artemis/Diana, Hilaria, Baubo, Cybele, Cupra, Rhea, and Flora may be revered. Those of the Celtic traditions may celebrate in honor of Blodewedd, Damara, Fand, Ariel, Flidias, Rhiannon, or Shiela-na-gig. Teutonic traditions may choose from Skadi, Var, Freya, and Lofn, and Tuulikki and Mielikki are two Finnish goddesses honored at this time. Devana and Perchta may be worshiped by those of the Slavic traditions. Aztec traditions may choose from Xochiquetzal and Ilamatecuhti. Erzulie is honored by Voudoun practitioners, and the Rainbow Snake may be remembered in Australia.
Fertility gods and gods of the hunt and love are honored at Beltaine. The Horned God, Herne, Bel or Belanos, Manawyddan, Puck, Beltene, and Robin Goodfellow may be included in Beltaine celebrations among those following the Celtic path. Norse traditions may venerate Odin or Frey. Those of the Greek or Roman traditions may choose to honor Cupid/Eros, Orion, Faunus, or Pan. Chors is a Slavic god honored at this time.
The colors of Beltaine are red, green, white, and dark yellow. Sycamore trees represent the God, and the leaves have long been used in Jack in the Green symbols found in pub signs and old churches. The wood is used green for carving and given as “love spoon” tokens in Wales for betrothals around May Day. Birches represent the goddess and are used as the wood of the May Pole. Other symbols of the holy day are eggs, flowers, the chalice, butter churns, May baskets, and crossroads. Incidentally, sycamore and birch trees are my two favorite trees.
Traditional foods of Beltaine come from the dairy. Butter, milk, cheeses, eggs, and honey are all customary on this day. Honeyed mead is a favorite drink associated with Beltaine. Oatcakes, May Cakes, and bannocks were also eaten, scored with the lines of the Bel-fires (a grid with nine blocks).
Beltaine Traditions
On May Eve, bonfires called Balefires were kindled in the proscribed manner or kindled from the sky (lightning or using a lens to focus the sun’s light). On beacon hills, fires were lit tonight and during times of trouble or emergency. Hearth fires would be extinguished and relit from the Need-Fire. Herdsmen would drive their stock between two fires or through the ashes of one to purify and preserve them from illness in the coming year. This would also ensure their fertility and copious milk supply. People jumped over the fires or ran between them three times for luck, for a bountiful harvest, or for whatever else they might need while the rest of the group sang and danced. Many couples still leap the fires together or jump the cauldron to help conceive.
Fire divination is a common practice during Beltaine. Seers stare into the flames seeking shapes to interpret. Morris and sword dances are all part of Beltaine fertility rites. Parades include Robin Hood, Maid Marion, and the Merry Men. Dancing all night in fields ensures a healthy crop. The dancers attempt to jump as high as they can in an effort to make crops grow tall. On the night of April 30, a custom called “bringing in the May” is enacted in some areas. Similar to “trick-or-treating,” revelers stop at homes on the way back to their villages, leaving flowers gathered from the woodlands. For this service, they receive treats and in return bless those who were generous or wish ill luck on those who were not. Another Beltaine custom involves the first dew of May. Maidens bathe their faces in May Morning dew to preserve beauty. The ancient trees by the sacred wells of Europe are often festooned with rags from the clothes of the sick to bring them health. The water of the wells was also used for blessings.
As a Celtic fire festival, modern Pagans commemorate the union of the goddess and god and the fecundity of the earth at this time. Thus Beltaine is a time of binding two into one. Weaving, braiding, knot work are all customary activities of this holy day. Braiding flowers into garlands and dancing the Maypole are both excellent ways to celebrate Beltaine.
At this time of year, fairy protections were common. Daisy chains were placed around the necks of children, and livestock were fed dill weed in an effort to protect them from mischievous sprites. Throwing a hot coal in the churn could protect the butter, and hawthorn and rowan were very protective woods used at this time. Rowan crosses or a branch over the home fire (the symbol of the luck of the house) protected the fortune of the home. Ringing bells will drive off the more unpleasant spirits, while leaving the Good Folk untouched. Leaving out offerings to the Fairies is also a time honored tradition at Beltaine.
In Germany, Walpurgisnacht (Hexennacht- Witches’ Night) is allegedly when witches hold a large celebration on the Blocksberg and await the arrival of Spring. Brocken is the highest of the Harz Mountains of north central Germany. It is noted for the phenomenon of the Brocken specter… the magnified shadow of an observer is somehow thrown into a bank of clouds in the high mountain areas when the sun is low. In rural parts of southern Germany, it is traditional for children to play pranks on Walpurgisnacht, like tampering with a neighbor’s garden, hiding possessions, or spraying graffiti on private property. Unfortunately, these pranks occasionally result in serious damage to property or bodily injury.
Walpurgis (Valborgsmassoafton or Valborg), alongside Christmas and Midsummer, is one of the main holidays of Sweden. Like Germany, one of the main traditions in Sweden the lighting of large bonfires, a custom which began in Uppland during the 18th century and is most firmly established in Svealand. An older tradition from Southern Sweden was for young people to collect greenery and branches from the woods at twilight. These were used to adorn the houses of the village, and they were paid in eggs. Singing the songs of spring is probably the most prevalent tradition in Sweden, and most of the songs come from the 19th century. They were spread by students’ spring festivities, and the strongest and most traditional spring festivities are to be found in the old university cities, like Uppsala and Lund. One of the newest student traditions is The Cortege, a carnival parade which has been held by the students at Chalmers in Gothenburg since 1909.
In Finland, Walpurgis Night (Vapunaatto, Valborgsmassoafton) is one of the biggest carnival-style festivities of the year. Alcoholic beverages are plentiful, and the student traditions make up the main portion of “Vappu” traditions. Through the end of the 19th century, this traditional upper class feast was adopted by university students who had already received their student caps. A nude female statue in Helsinki is “capped” and ribald publications called Apy and Julkku are printed on alternating years. While Julkku is a standard magazine, Apy is always printed in some odd way, on toilet paper or a bedsheet. It has also often been stuffed inside packages such as sardine-cans and milk cartons. The festivities include a picnic on May 1st, and the first of May means the beginning of spring for many people in Finland. It is said that one who doesn’t have a romantic partner on Vappu will not have one on midsummer night either.
In Estonia, Volbrioo (April 30th) is more important than the following day, Kevadpuha (May 1st). Volbrioo is considered one of the main reasons to party throughout the country. Influenced by German belief, the night was originally originally thought to be a time for witches to gather. Some people will still dress up as witches and wander the streets at this time. Because, like Finland, Volbrioo is a time to get plastered, the following day is known as Kaatripaev (Hangover Day, from the German ‘Kater’ meaning ‘Hangover’).
May
In May get a weed-hook, a crotch [fork], and a glove,
And weed out such weeds as the corn do not love.
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A hot May makes a fat Churchyard.
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If you would the doctor pay
leave your flannels off in May.
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May is named for Maia Majestas, the Roman goddess of spring who encourages crops to grow. She is the chief goddess of the Seven Sisters or Pleiades and mother of Hermes. She can be equated with the Irish Queen Medb or Celtic Meave. Hawthorm, her sacred plant, blossoms during this month. Artemis, Diana, Faunus, Flora, and Pan also have dominion over this month.
The Anglo-Saxons called this month Thrimilcmonath, “thrice-milk month.” In England, May was also called Sproutkale. Winnemanoth, “joy month,” was the Frankish name, and the Asatru name is Merrymoon. The Irish call May Bealtaine or an Ceitean, the first weather of summer. The two weeks before Bealtaine is ceitean earrach, spring May-time, and the two weeks after Bealtaine is ceitean samhradh, summer May-time. Bealtaine, also associated the God Bel, means ‘the fires of Bel’.
The first Full Moon of May is called the Flower Moon. It shares the names (Corn) Planting Moon, Hare Moon, Pink Moon, and Green Grass Moon with April. The May moon is also the Bright Moon, Dryad Moon, Milk Moon, the Moon When the Pony Sheds, the Frogs Return Moon, and Sproutkale.
The sun passes from Taurus to Gemini around May 21st. Those born in May have the lily of the valley for their birth flower. The stone for the month of May, and for Taurus, is the emerald, though agate, chalcedony, and carnelian are sometimes mentioned for May instead, while Gemini lays claim to agate, particularly moss agate, and pearl. Aquamarine, lapis lazuli, kunzite, rose quartz, and sapphire are associated with Taurus, and chrysoprase, sapphire, and topaz are connected to Gemini.
May 1st
On the fourth day of Floralia, Roman children made little images of Flora and decorated them with flowers in ancient times.
Litha begins at Beltane and ends at Lammas.
Who weds in May
throws all away.
(mainly due to the beginning of farming season it seems
and time away from doing farm work that a May wedding would cause)
Last May-day I search’d to find a Snail
That might my secret Lover’s name reveal;
Upon a Goosberry Bush a Snail I found,
For always Snails near Sweetest Fruit abound.
I seiz’d the Vermine, home I quickly sped,
And on the Herth the milk-white Embers spread.
Slow crawl’d the Snail, and if I right can spell,
In the soft Ashes mark’d a curious L:
Oh, may this wondrous Omen lucky prove!
For L is found in Lubberkin and Love.
-John Gay (1685-1732), The Shepherd’s Week
This has become the traditional time for handfasting ceremonies, pagan wedding ceremonies, in honor of the union of the goddess and god. In Ireland however, this was the traditional time for divorces! And marriages were made in November instead.
The Landing of the Tuatha De Danann in Ireland is recalled today and their patron Mother-goddess Dana or Danann is honored. According to folklore, they were the fourth prehistoric colony to arrive in Ireland many centuries before the Christian era. They were magicians, highly skilled in science and metalworking. They inhabited Ireland for about two hundred years, until the fifth and last colony, the Milesians (Gaels), conquered them. When they had been finally defeated, they withdrew to the hills (sidhe [shee]), residing within them where they could live free from observation or attack.
Bona Dea, the good goddess, is an Italian earth-goddess. The anniversary of the foundation of her temple was held today, and prayers are offered to her for the averting of earthquakes. She was regarded as identical with Maia, Fauna, Ops, and Fatua. Her identification with the old Roman Goddess Maia, who gave her name to the month of May, may have arisen from the accident that both were worshiped on May Day. Maia or Maia Majestas was one of the Pleiades. She was held to be the wife of Vulcan, and to whom the flamen (priest) of that god made offering today. A pregnant sow was sacrificed to the couple. The Good Goddess was also called Damia, and her priestess bore the title Damiatrix. This points to an identification or confusion of the Good Goddess with the Greek goddess Damia (possibly the same as Demeter).
The Arvales, ‘priests of the field,’ held their chief festival on three days in May, the 1st and 3rd in Rome and the 2nd in the grove. This was a college of priests consisting of twelve life-members chosen from the most distinguished senatorial families by co-optation who worshipped of Dea Dia, the supposed founder of their fraternity. The reigning Emperor was always a member. Their symbol was a white fillet and a wreath of ears of corn.
Lares were also honored today as Lares Praestites, “Guarantors or Guardians.” Dogs were also honored as their fellow guardians, and were visually represented by dog skin draped over their legs.
Tanat or Tanith, a Phoenician moon goddess, is honored today.
Braggi and Iduna are honored today.
In 1776, the Order of the Illuminati was founded in Bavaria by Adom Weishaupt.
Obviously, if they didn’t feel like it, they wouldn’t respond at all. So I know who my friends are online and most of them are better friends than the ones I’ve had in the RW.
hehe
