Beltane (Celtic)

Beltane is a Celtic word which means fires of Bel (Bel was a Celtic deity). It is a fire festival that celebrates of the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year.

Beltane rituals would often include courting, for example, young men and women collecting blossoms in the woods and lighting fires in the evening.

Other festivities involved fire which was thought to cleanse, purify and increase fertility. Cattle were often passed between two fires and the properties of the flame and the smoke were seen to ensure the fertility of the herd.

Fire is still the most important element of most Beltane celebrations and there are many traditions associated with it. It is seen to have purifying qualities which cleanse and revitalise.

People leap over the Beltane fire to bring good fortune, fertility (of mind, body and spirit) and happiness through the coming year. The tradition of dancing round the maypole is still popular.