Beltane (May Day) - History and How to Celebrate

Beltane -The Celtic Festival of Fire and Fertility

Beltane is a vibrant, ancient festival that celebrates the beginning of summer in the Celtic calendar. Celebrated annually on May 1st, this fire festival has deep roots in Celtic and Irish traditions and is filled with rich symbolism and spiritual significance. It's observed by Irish, Scottish, and Manx people, and is also known as "May Day."

As we approach Beltane 2025, now is an excellent time to reflect on its history, its connection to the Druids, its transformation under Christianity, and how to bring this magical festival into modern-day celebrations. In this blog post, we’ll explore all things Beltane—from its ancient origins to practical ideas for celebrating it today.

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What is Beltane?

Beltane (pronounced "Byowl-tinna" in Irish, as shown in the video below) is a Celtic holiday that marks the midway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice; in the Celtic tradition, this is also when Summer begins. The name "Beltane" is derived from the Old Irish words "bel" (meaning "bright" or "radiant") and "tene" (meaning "fire"), highlighting the importance of fire in this celebration. The festival celebrates the days growing longer and warmer, and is closely associated with fertility, growth, and the awakening of nature.

Beltane is traditionally celebrated with bonfires, feasts, music, dancing, and rituals intended to promote fertility, health, and prosperity for the coming year. It is a celebration of the Earth’s natural cycles and a time for communities to come together to honor the changing of the seasons.

The Maypole

Beltane celebrates fertility, in ancient times with respect to herds of cattle and  successful crops. One of its most famous traditions is the Maypole, a celebration where members of a community (usually women and girls) raise a pole, said to symbolize a tree that is tall, wide, and healthy, symbolizing abundance and protection for their community. The Maypole started as a pagan ritual, but is still celebrated across Europe to this day.

Traditional Fragrances

At Brigid, we're always fascinated by the very particular fragrances of a given season. Beltane arrives at the very height of the first season of growth, bringing with it bountiful wildflowers, the first fruits and berries, and lots of sunlight. Scents traditionally included in celebrating Beltane include:

• Rose
• Chamomile
• Jasmine
• Frankincense
• Rose Attar
• Rosewood
• Sandalwood
• Ylang Ylang

We created our Beltane Fragrance Collection based on this profile and connection. We hope you enjoy it too!

Beltane’s Celtic and Irish Roots

Beltane has its origins in ancient Celtic and Irish literature, where it was deeply connected to agricultural and seasonal cycles. In Irish culture, Beltane (also known as Bealtuinn, Cétshamain, or Cétamain) was celebrated as a holiday that marked the beginning of summer, bringing warmth, fertility, and new life to the land and its inhabitants.

For the Celts, Beltane was a key time to honor gods and goddesses who represent Beltane's themes of love and vibrant energy, including Flora, Aine, and Brigid, as well as the Earth’s natural fertility, ensuring a successful growing season.

In Ireland, Beltane was a key date in the agricultural calendar, as it marked the transition from the dark, dormant winter months into the light and blossoming of spring and summer. The festival was deeply rooted in the Celtic understanding of life and death, with fire symbolizing the eternal cycle of renewal. It was also a time to cleanse and purify the land, ensuring that crops would grow and livestock would thrive in the coming year.

The Role of Druids in Beltane Celebrations

Druids, the priests and spiritual leaders of the ancient Celtic people, played a central role in Beltane celebrations. They were believed to have special connections to the gods, the natural world, and the cycles of life. During Beltane, the Druids would light the sacred bonfires, which were thought to have protective and purifying powers. These bonfires were often made on hilltops, visible from miles away on all sides, and served as a beacon of hope and renewal.

Beltane and the Transition to Christianity

As Christianity spread throughout Europe, many of the ancient pagan festivals, including Beltane, were adapted or incorporated into Christian traditions. While Beltane was originally a pagan festival honoring nature and the fertility gods, it eventually became intertwined with Christian celebrations of the Feast of St. Walpurga/Walpurgisnacht, or St. Philip and St. James’ Day.

However, remnants of the old Beltane traditions continued in many Christianized forms. In some areas, Beltane bonfires became associated with St. Walpurga’s Night (April 30th), a time to ward off evil spirits. The connection to fire, purification, and fertility remained intact. In other places, the Maypole dance and the celebration of May Day became the focus, although the deeper pagan symbolism was often incorporated as times evolved.

How to Celebrate Beltane in 2025

While the ancient customs of Beltane may seem distant, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate the festival in modern times. Whether you are part of a Celtic, spiritual, or religious community, or simply want to honor the season, Beltane offers an opportunity for joy, reflection, and connection to the Earth.

Here are some ideas for celebrating Beltane in 2025:

1. Light a Bonfire or Candle

A traditional way to celebrate Beltane is by lighting a fire. Beltane candles and bonfires symbolize the sun, warmth, and purification, and they bring a sense of unity and celebration. If you're not able to have a large bonfire, consider lighting candles (we created our Campfire candles with this in mind) or using/making a small fire pit outdoors. Make a wish or prayer for fertility, prosperity, or personal growth as you add your own light to this day's collective meaning.

2. Celebrate with a Maypole Dance

The Maypole dance is an iconic part of Beltane. If you have access to a group of people or a community event, consider joining or organizing a Maypole dance. We personally enjoy the public Maypole dance at The Kingston Public Market, held annually (weather providing). The act of weaving ribbons around the pole can be symbolic of bringing unity and balance into your life or your community. If you can’t find a Maypole nearby, you can create your own version by tying ribbons around the base of a tall, sturdy tree, or around a flagpole.

3. Nature Walks and Flower Crowns

Beltane is all about celebrating nature’s abundance. Take a walk through a park or natural space, and gather wildflowers to create a Beltane flower crown. Traditionally, flowers were worn to symbolize the blooming of the Earth, and flower crowns were often given as a way to honor the life-giving energy of nature. Plus, they smell wonderful.

4. Feast and Share a Meal

In the spirit of celebration, share a meal with friends or family. Cook traditional Celtic dishes or just enjoy food that reflects the abundance of the season, such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and dairy. It's a great way to bring people together and celebrate the changing of the seasons. Feasting and being with friends and family is a part of just about every ancient celebration.

5. Meditation and Rituals

Beltane is a time for reflection and renewal. Consider creating a personal ritual where you set intentions for the coming months. Focus on your own growth, both physically and spiritually. You might want to incorporate elements of fire, flowers, or earth in your ritual to honor the elements of Beltane magic.

6. Practice Fertility and Growth Rituals

Beltane is strongly associated with fertility, both in the natural world and in our personal lives. Use this time to plant a garden, start a new project, or nurture any aspect of your life that you want to grow and flourish. Fertility doesn’t just mean reproduction— it can also represent creative energy, new ideas, or personal growth. If you're looking to enhance your celebration, the herbs for Beltane above include rose, jasmine, frankincense and clary sage - the ingredients we chose for our Beltane Fragrance Collection.

In Conclusion

Beltane is a celebration that honors the deep connection between humans and the natural world. Whether you're celebrating Beltane for its Celtic roots, its modern Christian connections, its Druidic rituals, or simply as a way to welcome the warmth of summer, it’s a time to reflect on growth, renewal, and community. As you prepare to celebrate Beltane in 2025, take care to honor the traditions of fire, fertility, and abundance that have been passed down through centuries. The joy and vitality of the Earth are waiting to be embraced, and Beltane is the perfect moment to do so!

However you celebrate, it's a wonderful time of year to reflect on what this holiday represents to you and how you intend to celebrate it. The important thing is to create light - and that's very consistent with Brigid's message.