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~Magickal Graphics~
The first of May is Beltaine, May Day, Calan Mei, and Walpurgis Night. It is a cross quarter day, falling between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. The UK public holiday May Day occurs on the first Monday of May each year – this year it won't be until the 6th.


I’ve had some fun celebrations at this festival. One year we went to Lydney Park Estate on May Eve which was lovely. My sister is away this year on holiday and I’m house sitting so I’ll make do spending time in her garden and using her fire bucket!

Beltaine/Beltane is believed to get it's name from "fire of Bel" or "bright fire and is named after the god Belenus.

Fire celebration and rituals are an important part of the Beltane festivities, to ensure that the warmth of the Sun's light brings successful growth to the crops. Other May rituals involve Maypole dancing and the Cornish festival in Padstow of the the 'Obby Oss.

There are particular notions of fertility around this festival – notably the young couples going 'maying' in the woods ;D It's also a good time to think about handfastings and renewing your vows, or renewing your spiritual pledge. Abundance and growth are key themes.

A traditional ritual involved two bonfires; cattle were driven through the smoke of the two fires in a purification/fertility rite. In ancient times all the homestead fires were lit from the Beltaine or Bale fire.

Folklore suggest you should wash your face in dew at sunrise on Beltane for beauty in the coming year. (Traditionally the dew from the hawthorn tree, but dew from grass and flowers will do.)

Planting seeds, especially with intent for your goals to also grow, is a great way to celebrate. A small fire into which you can cast wishes written on paper is another appropriate and fun way to begin a season of growth.

Correspondences include:
Goddesses: May Queen, Flora, Brigid, Aphrodite, Blodewedd, Erzulie, Baubo, Rhea, Venus, Prithvi, Artemis, Diana, Faunas, all fertility and love goddesses.
Gods: May King, Horned God, Herne, Pan, Green Man, Bel, Baal, all gods of the hunt/forest and love.
A list of deities and their correspondences can be found here
Food and drink: Strawberries, Cherries, Breads, Cereals (especially ones that contain oats), fruit salads, barley cakes, Wine, Mead, Milk, Ale, Apple Juice, Fruit Punch
Colours: Red, Green, White, Brown, Pink, rainbow colours. Some authors suggest pastels, others bright colours so go with your own traditions or gut feelings.
Stones/gems: Emerald, Malachite, Amber, Carnelian, Sapphire, Rose Quartz, yellow agate, bloodstone, lapis lazuli
Herbs and flowers: Belladona, Clover, Frankincense, Hawthorn, Ivy, Marigold, Orchid, Rose, broom, foxglove, honeysuckle, rowan, sorrel, hawthorn, lily of the valley, meadowsweet, mint, mugwort, thyme, bluebells, daisy, hawthorn, lilac, primrose, any fresh flowers for decoration

General: Maypoles, dancing, bonfires, anything that symbolises creative growth, 4 of wands, dawn, birdseed.

Further reading
Legends and Lore of Beltane
Beltane Magic


And if you're in the Southern Hemisphere, it's time for Samhain aka Halloween – though probably without the traditional commercial trappings since Halloween has become fixed to the October date. I am, of course, happy to be corrected on this matter. But still, I'm guessing, a time for divination, remembering your ancestors, and noticing the shorter days and longer nights of autumn.