Beltane - May Day - May 1

Beltane is the ancient Celtic celebration of the return of life and fertility to the world following the winter season.  It was traditionally celebrated at the end of April, marking the beginning of summer's half of the year and of the pastoral growing season.  The word "Beltane" literally means "bright fire" and refers to the bonfires lit during this season.

The Maypole, traditionally associated with May festivals, is traceable to an ancient Greek figure known as a herm, named for Hermes.  The pillar-like figure, sporting the upper torso of a good or spirit, was placed at crossroads throughout the Roman Empire including ancient Britain.  In May, the herm was adorned with flowers and greenery and sacred offerings were placed before it.  In more recent May Day celebrations, a tall pole is erected and garlanded with greenery or flowers.  It is often hung with ribbons that are woven into complex patterns by a group of dancers.

To learn more about Beltane, click here.

How to Decorate a Maypole

1. Choose a pole that has plenty of room around its base.  The taller, the better.
2. Fasten an even number of streamers to the top of the pole.  They should be about 1 1/2 times the height of the pole.
3. Use different-colored streamers. Alternate two different colors or use many.
4. Give each person decorating the maypole the end of a streamer.  They may also want to hold a bouquet of flowers.
5. Have every other participant face clockwise, the rest face counterclockwise.
6. Play the selected music and let the dance begin.
7. Alternate between passing the person coming toward you on the left and on the right.
8. When the pole is wrapped, lay the bouquets on the ends of the streamers to hold them in place.

Tips: Make sure everyone understands the instructions well in advance.  Nylon streamers are great - crepe paper tends to tear too easily for a very tall maypole.