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Beltane [bell-tayn or bell-tan] is observed generally from April 30th through May 1st, to celebrate the awakening of the Earth from her winter's sleep. Traditionally, a fire was kept burning in the hearth all year, since being started on Samhain. It burned until May Eve, when the fire was put out for the chimney and hearth to be cleaned. At dawn of May 1st, a town bonfire was built to run the cattle and other stock through, to ensure their fertility and protection. Young women and men also jumped through the fire for the same purposes, as well as to bring luck in finding a mate. Much feasting and dancing took place, and a ritual dedicated to the Goddess would be performed. In some places, this was the time for betrothal. The town bonfire was kept burning all May Day and night, when townspeople would light torches to carry to their own hearths for relighting them.

Also part of the celebration was the maypole. The maypole was made of the pine tree decorated for Yule. The tree was cut down and shorn of limbs and greenery, ribbons tied and flowers placed at the top- white ribbons for the Goddess and red for the God. Women held the white ribbons, men held the red, and they danced in opposite directions to twine them around the maypole.

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::aka::
Beltane (Celtic), named for Bel, the god of light and fire
Bealtiunn (Scotland)
May Day/May Eve
Rood Day/Rudemas/Roodemas (English)
Galan-Mai (Wales)
Walpurgisnacht/Walspurgis Night (German)
Shenn Da Boaldyn (Isle of Man)

::goddesses::
Maiden aspect of the Goddess
Blodewedd (Welsh)
Aphrodite

::energies::
playfulness
pleasure
love
sensuality
lust
youthfulness

::colours::
pink
yellow
green
blue
red
white

::stones::
sapphire
bloodstone

::plants and herbs::
cowslip
hawthorne
primrose
lilac
birch
rose

::objects::
Maypoles
bonfires
flower rings/garlands/circlets
morning dew
strings of beads
ribbons
butterchurns
chalice
crossroads

::incense::
apple blossom
heather
lilac

::activities/rituals::
Maypole dancing
jumping the bonfire
flower picking
fertility spells
creative activity
well-dressing
mating
dancing
blessing of crops