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It's Beltane 2025, or is it? May 1st isn't always the date



 It’s May 1st, and many of you are celebrating Beltane today. But did you know that Beltane is less of a fixed date and more about alignments between the solstice and the equinox? Because of this, many actually celebrate on May 5th, also known as “Old Beltane.” And those of us who observe this event as a focus on the shift of seasons—more than the Gaelic origins and celebrations—begin our rituals and respects on the 1st and continue through to the 6th.

Beltane has ancient roots in Celtic tradition, particularly in what is now Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Historically, it marked the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice, and it was seen as the gateway into the light half of the year. Bonfires were lit on hilltops to protect cattle, crops, and people from harm, as the veil between worlds was believed to thin, much like Samhain in the fall. It was a time of fertility, fire, and connection—both with the land and the unseen realms.


The choice to celebrate on May 5th—or Old Beltane—is largely due to astrological timing. Beltane, as a cross-quarter day, is most accurately observed when the Sun reaches 15 degrees in the sign of Taurus. This usually happens around May 5th. For those of us who honor the energies of the cosmos over calendar dates, this alignment feels more potent. But, you do you. 


Common Practices for Celebrating Beltane:

  • Lighting candles or bonfires to honor the Sun and ignite passion and purpose

  • Creating flower crowns or decorating with seasonal blooms

  • Jumping over small fires or candles (safely!) for purification and renewal

  • Making offerings to nature spirits, ancestors, or deities

  • Crafting charms or weaving ribbons to manifest desires

  • Dancing, singing, and connecting with community or spirit

  • Meditating or performing rituals focused on growth, love, and fertility

  • Offerings of Wine ( As someone who lives a sober lifestyle, I also choose to replace traditional wine offerings with alternatives that are meaningful to me—such as herbal teas, flower waters, or even fresh spring water charged under the moon. The essence of the offering is the intention behind it, not what’s in the cup.)

For many of us without Gaelic heritage, celebrating the change of seasons can feel more grounded and authentic than engaging with cultural symbols like maypoles or specific deities. Observing the Earth’s rhythms—watching the trees bloom, noticing the days stretch longer, honoring the energetic shift from inward reflection to outward creation—can be a powerful and inclusive way to connect with Beltane. This approach doesn’t appropriate, but instead aligns us with nature and the cycles that affect us all, regardless of lineage.


Keeping with my “brand,” which is practicing Magick and spirituality however the hell you want to, I hope that however you decide to celebrate, you do so responsibly. Let the spirits hold you and keep you.


Be Blessed,
 

Dena

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