As spring awakens, many cultures around the world prepare to celebrate the return of the sun and the clear season. For the Celtic peoples of Ireland and Scotland, particularly the Gaelic, this time of year marks the celebration of Beltane, a festival that dates back thousands of years. In this article, we'll look together 3 things you need to know about Beltane, providing you with everything you need to know about this mythical Celtic May Day festival.

Beltane origin & symbol: An ancient festival

Beltane or Beltaine is a very old Celtic festival. Its oldest theoretical source is the Coligny Calendar (2nd century A.D.), which was found in France by chance in 1897, in the Ain region. This is an ancient Luni-solar calendar, probably Druidic, which refers to the “high points” of the calendar year, including the Samonios festival, the opposite of Beltaine (November 1).

For the Celts, the year is divided into two parts: the Light Season (which begins at Beltaine on May 1st) and the Dark Season (which begins at Samonios on November 1st).

The existence and celebration of Samonios in the 2nd century leads us to believe that Beltaine was already being celebrated at that time.

Beltane is a Gaelic festival of the island Celts of Ireland and Scotland, originally celebrated to mark the return of the sun and the fertility of the fields after winter.

First mentioned in the 15th-century Maitland Manuscript, it is in fact much older, passed down orally through the regions. Beltane, a solar festival marking the start of the clear season, is also celebrated elsewhere in Europe under other names, notably in Asturias, Belgium and Germany.

Traditional symbols include:

• 🌸 Flowers, in wreaths, in bouquets, anything that carries life!
• 🌱 Seeds and buds, everything that carries life!
• 🐝 The bees, carrying within them the pollination of flowers and their reproduction.
• 🌿 Lemon balm, roses, violets, lily of the valley, daffodils, daisies…

Mythologically, Beltane is linked to luminous, reborn deities such as Belenos and Belisama, and Isis.

Fire, a central element in Beltane

Fire is a central element in Beltane celebrations. Sacred and protective, it represents the return of the sun and the renewal of life, as well as passion and purification.
In ancient times, although the Church sometimes portrayed Beltane as a festival of debauchery, it was common for people to light bonfires, especially as an occasion for lovers to make vows, charm each other or break off relationships. It was also customary to jump over them to purify oneself of winter scores.

In Antiquity and the Middle Ages, Beltane was celebrated through various practices, such as torchlight ceremonies and sacrifices (not always happy things, we grant you).

Il ne faut pas non plus en oublier son esprit, pour la réadapter positivement à notre époque.

This is exactly what the Celtic countries do, and they still celebrate it today. In Edinburgh, for example, the Beltane Fire Festival is held every year!

How to celebrate Beltane ?

Beltane is first and foremost a celebration of life and natural forces, a moment of joy when the barriers between humans and nature are erased.
What's more, let's break a myth: Beltane is celebrated not just on May 1, but throughout the month, according to the awakening of nature in different regions.

It's an opportunity to set aside the daily grind and reconnect with simple pleasures, surrounded by loved ones or even alone. The important thing is to celebrate the beauty and vitality of nature, while respecting the spirit of Beltane, which remains alive and adaptable to our modern times.

If you can't attend a public event, you can celebrate Beltane at home, preserving the festive spirit and as we're not cows at Runes de Chêne, here's a list of things to do to celebrate Beltane :

• 🕯️ Light candles on Beltane night. Not a little flickering flame no, indulge yourself.
• 💃 Dance, with your loved ones, your friends. We are a society that no longer dances. Yet dancing is life. So put aside the ridiculous, and even on your own, get moving!
• 💐 Collect flowers and make wreaths. Maybe, like Katia in the Runes de Chêne team, you're not too keen on cutting up live flowers. We respect that. But keep in mind that life and death are intrinsically linked, and that without death, there's no life. Flowers will be reborn the following year. So treat yourself.

• 👕 Wearing a "Runes de chene". There's no better way to show your allegiance to Celtic traditions than by wearing something reminiscent of them !
• 🏔️ Do something away from home: take a walk, go for a hike, have a picnic… Beltane is an outdoor celebration. And if, like us, it's raining right now, don't worry, brave the rain!

• 🎗️ Hang ribbons from a tree. Well, we'd recommend it if you own the tree, or if you can remove them afterwards when you leave. But big, colorful ribbons hanging from a tree are beautiful, and make you want to spin around!
• 🏺Cook! Use the fire (electric, of course… but wasn't it said that lightning was fire, in ancient belief?) to concoct little seasonal dishes, even if it's just for you.

Beltan Anecdotes

🌳 The Green Man is a mythical figure from the Celtic islands, symbolizing nature and the cycle of life, death and rebirth. He has often been associated with Beltane since medieval times. During celebrations, some people dress up as the Green Man, wearing leaves and branches to represent the growth and vitality of the earth. He opposes the Holly King, who rules the dark season. However, this tradition is a recent addition, re-imagined by modern society.

🔥 Beltane's sacred fire also represents: Passion (creative, amorous, sexual); Creation (we forge with fire, cook with fire, and ashes enrich the earth); Strength (lightning was a fire from heaven, wine a liquid fire, in ancient times. Fire is a symbol of nature's strength); Light… because yes, here we celebrate the end of the dark season.

FAQS

Good Beltane to everyone !