The word Beltaine translates to “Fires of Bel.” In this context, Bel refers to the Celtic Sun God, Belenus — making this a celebration of Solar Fire.
Beltaine was a time to honor fertility, freedom, and limitless love. On this night, both the young and the old would wander into the green woods to celebrate life, often making love under the stars. At dawn, they would return to their villages, carrying blooming hawthorn branches and wildflowers — symbols of new life and beauty.
They adorned themselves, their homes, and their loved ones with these blossoms. On the way back, they would form joyful processions, stopping at every house to offer flowers and share the finest food and drink, generously prepared by each host.
At the heart of the village, a Maypole — usually made from birch or ash — was raised, and the festivities began: dancing, singing, feasting.
The celebration was presided over by the May Queen and her consort, the Green Man or Green John — the wild god of forests and fertility. As the divine couple, they were paraded through the village in a flower-adorned carriage and seated upon a green throne nestled in the branches of a sacred tree.
Their symbolic sacred union represented the marriage of Earth and Sun, blessing the land with abundance and life for the seasons to come.
More Beltaine Traditions and Sacred Symbolism
🕯️ Beltaine Fires
Bonfires were the heart of Beltaine celebrations. Lit at dusk on sacred hills, they symbolized purification, fertility, and solar energy. People would jump over the flames or pass between two fires to cleanse themselves of illness and bring blessings for the year ahead. Cattle were often driven between the fires for protection from disease.
🌿 The Veil Between Worlds
Beltaine is one of the two times in the year (alongside Samhain) when the veil between worlds is considered thin. It's a liminal point — between spring and summer, youth and adulthood, earth and spirit. Fairies, ancestors, and nature spirits are thought to be especially active. People would leave offerings of milk, honey, or flowers to honor these unseen beings.
💍 Handfasting and Sacred Union
Beltaine was a traditional time for handfasting — a ceremonial union often lasting "a year and a day." This was a time to honor love in all its forms. In modern times, many couples still choose this day for weddings or spiritual commitments.
🌞🌍 Sacred Sexuality: The Union of Earth and Sun
At its core, Beltaine celebrates the divine life force. The sacred marriage of the May Queen and the Green Man is a symbolic joining of Earth and Sun, Feminine and Masculine, Spirit and Matter. Their union is a blessing for fertility, growth, and joyful creation — both physical and spiritual. It's a celebration of the body, of sensuality, and of the sacredness of pleasure and life.
2/22/2022