While Samhain may celebrate death, Beltane celebrates life. As the beginning of Summer, Beltane honours the fertility of the earth. The bloom of flowers, the glossy greens of foliage and trees, and most importantly of the harvest to come. A jubilation is abound that can only be felt during summer.
Beltane is celebrated with fire, aligning with the translation of Beltane to 'Bright Fire'. Traditionally the fire would be jumped to purify, cleanse and for fertility. Some couples jumping the fire together to pledge themselves to one another as a part of the festivities.
A maypole may also be seen at festivities. A phallic pole thrust into the earth to celebrate the union between the earth and sky. Adorned with coloured ribbons which are woven during a symbolic weaving dance.
Another tradition which takes it's name from the time it's celebrated in the Northern Hemisphere is to 'Go a Maying'. Wherein couples take to the woods for an evening of pleasure. In some instances older married couples are permitted to remove their wedding bands, and the fidelity to that goes with it, for just Beltane night.
Nine months later we get...Beltane Baby :)
No matter how you celebrate Beltane, I wish you a blessed time.
Mad love
Alysha
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