| Beltane/ Mayday |
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| Beltane/Mayday Other names: Valpurga, Mean Earraigh, Bealteinne, Beltainne, Roodmas, Calin Mai. Date: May 1 or when the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus. Meaning of the word: Beltane means "bright fire" or "lucky fire". Primary Ritual Focus: Appearance of the matured Horned God, fertility, protection of animals and gardens, leaping the fire for a fortunate summer, love magicks. Age of holiday: Said to be the oldest known holiday. Popular Mythos: Maypole dancing, tenuous link to the Celtic Belenus. Astrological sign: 15 degrees Taurus; earth; fixed. Planetary ruler: Venus. |
| European practices included tying a wand of rowan and hanging it above the door, and collecting ashes from the Beltane fire and placing them on the forehead to purify the body and bring good luck. Water collected from wells or cupped stones to catch the morning dew, called May dew, was believed to be especially powerful for holy water, and was sprinkled about the home to ensure good fortune, health, and happiness. Today, in some group rituals, the sacred fire is made to dance in a deosil spiral in honor of the Beltane purification rite. |
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