Beltane (aka "May Day") is one of the biggest holidays for witches. It takes place from the evening of April 30th through May 1st, halfway between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice when the Earth is waking up and feeling goooood. Beltane is all about that excited energy of a new day, the "wish come true" feeling of warm weather finally arriving and the delicious anticipation of a hot witch Summer.
But historically, Beltane wasn't exactly about getting ready for a season of leisure. It was an indulgent holiday, because it was about getting ready to WORK in the hot fields, tending crops and harvesting food to be preserved for the next year. It was a day (and night, but we'll get to that!) of celebrating fertility and abundance, a manifestation spell for healthy, plentiful harvests. A good Beltane party meant a good growing season, and gave folks the opportunity to get their freak on before buckling down.
Beltane Traditions
Bonfire: Beltane bonfires were said to be super-magical and even LUCKY for the folks dancing around it- or jumping over it! While we don't recommend getting reckless with your fire-appreciation, bonfires and campfires are powerful portals. Imagine you're there right now: It's dark, you can't see anything except what the flickering flames feel like illuminating for you, and you're dancing your lil heart out. If that sensation doesn't scream "I'm making magic" I don't know what does! If you don't have access to a safe outdoor fire, you can still create the space with with a flickering candle and a dark room.
Gathering Flowers: Traditional Beltane celebrations included flower crowns, garlands, bouquets, wreaths, and basically any other shape you can bundle flowers into. Flowers mean the plant is happy and healthy and has extra energy to make something beautiful- a vibe worth striving for! Bringing those blooms into your home can lend a sense of lusciousness and inspiration to your space.
You can also honor Beltane by making the world a better place for flowers in the ground around you. If you don't have your own garden, take a walk somewhere with green and pick up litter, or at least tell the flowers how much you appreciate them. They might not want to go home with you, but your gratitude is important!
Maypole: The most iconic Beltane tradition! Like casting a sacred circle before spellwork, the maypole acts as a focal point for May Day celebrations, a special decoration just for today. You can bring maypole energy into your Beltane by dressing up yourself and your space with brightly colored paper chains, flowers, face paint, hair dye, whatever says "it's party time!"
Support Workers' Rights: On May Day in 1886 in Ohio, Chicago trades workers led an uprising against unfair labor practices and the date has become synonymous with ongoing workers' rights movements. Honor the spirit of our hardworking ancestors and the workers who keep our communities running by finding a rally to join! And take the opportunity to do a little research into the labor practices of the companies you patronize, because we vote with our dollars every day.
