An old Celtic festival celebrating the blossoming spring, fertility and sexuality. This holiday is sacred to the Maiden, Maya, and the God Baal, after Whom it is named. Baal is the God of fire and light known as the 'Bright One.' Bale(bon)fires were lit to ensure fertility to the farmyard and household. Cattle were driven between the fires to purify and protect them disease. People have also leapt over the fires (or through the flames) as a blessing for fertility.
Another name for Beltane ('BEL-tayne') is 'May Eve'. As a symbol of verility, the May Pole was erected in villages, decorated with flowers, ribbons, boughs and sometimes paint, the people would dance around the pole, celebrating the beginning of summer.
April 30 is the date for this holiday, while in the Southern Hempishere it is October 31.

Associated colours are green and rainbow (not each colour of the rainbow, but all seven together).

Sabbats | Litha | Lughnassad | Mabon | Samhain | Yule | Imbolc | Ostara

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