May is a month that is associated with many pagan holidays and celebrations. These holidays have been celebrated for centuries and are still observed by many pagan and Wiccan communities around the world. One of the most well-known May pagan holidays is Beltane, which is celebrated on May 1st. Beltane is a fertility festival that marks the beginning of summer. It involves bonfires, dancing, and the weaving of flower crowns. Beltane is believed to be a time when the veil between the human and spiritual realms is thin, and it is a time for connecting with nature and celebrating the beauty and abundance of the earth.
The Origins and Practices of Holidays: Beltane and The Last Day of Ridván
Beltane is a Pagan holiday, and one of the eight Sabbats. It falls about halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the coming summer solstice, Litha. The holiday celebrates spring at its peak, and the coming summer. Beltane also sometimes goes by the name May Day. This holiday is associated very strongly with fertility for pagans.
Photo of a maypole at Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of wikipedia user Jengod at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Maypole_in_Brentwood,_California.JPG.
This festival is often commemorated with bonfires, maypoles, dancing, and performing fertility rituals. Beltane is a Celtic word, meaning “the fires of Bel.” Bel, likely referred to the Celtic sun god, Belenus. The Celts used to light two bonfires because they believed it would purify themselves, as well as increase their fertility. They would pass cattle between the two fires, with the belief that it would purify the cattle, and ensure the fertility of the herd. Although this is not a ritual that is practiced now, modern pagans still light bonfires and practice fertility rituals on this day.
Modern-day pagans celebrate Beltane in a variety of ways. One way to celebrate is with a maypole. In this custom, a pole is placed in a field with ribbons attached. Each person (usually women and girls) will grab a hold of their own ribbon, and dance around the pole in a special way, so as to weave the ribbons into a specific pattern. This is one of the more common fertility rituals that might take place on this day. Celebrators also might weave flowers into their hair, or create a floral wreath to wear upon their head as a celebration of spring. Some pagans light a bonfire and dance around (or even over) it, which is another common fertility ritual for the day. Lastly, some people prepare “May baskets,” and fill them with flowers and goodwill. They give the baskets to someone in need of care, such as an elderly friend, or someone who is recovering from an illness.
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Beltane is believed to be a time when the veil between the human and spiritual realms is thin, and it is a time for connecting with nature and celebrating the beauty and abundance of the earth. Another important May pagan holiday is Walpurgis Night, which is observed on the night of April 30th to May 1st. This holiday is also associated with fertility and the awakening of nature after the long winter months.
May 2, 2019 - The Last Day of Ridván
From the evening of May 1 to the evening of May 2 Baha'i's will celebrate the last and Twelfth Day of Ridván. Ridván, which translates to paradise, is a twelve day Baha'i festival that commemorates the historic events during which Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Baha'i faith, declared himself the messenger of God. The holiday is named for the Garden of Ridván in which he made the declaration. The first, ninth, and twelfth days are holy days of the festival. They mark Bahá'u'lláh's arrival, the arrival of his family, and their departure from the garden, respectively.
After his arrival in the garden, Bahá'u'lláh made his declaration for the first time to a small group of family and friends. For the next eleven days Bahá'u'lláh received many visitors. However, his family was not able to join him until April 30, the ninth day, because the Tigris river had risen and made travel to the garden difficult. On the twelfth day of their stay, Bahá'u'lláh and his family left the garden and started on their journey to Constantinople. He was banished by the government of the Ottoman Empire as a result of their fear of the Baha'i faith namely, how quickly it spread and how popular it was becoming.
Baha'i's carefully reflect on Bahá'u'lláh's exile when celebrating the Twelfth Day of Ridván. They observe this holiday by gathering in prayer and celebration. School and work are prohibited on the Twelfth Day of Ridván because it is a holy day.
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If there's a particular celebration you or someone you know participates in that we missed, let us know by leaving a comment on this post. Or, if you think we got something wrong, please also comment and let us know. We try to be as accurate as possible, but if there's a mistake, we want to correct it.
Religious and Cultural Holidays and Observances
Bonfires are lit to ward off evil spirits and to bring luck and prosperity for the coming year. The Hawthorn Tree, also known as the May Tree, is often associated with May pagan celebrations. It is believed to have magical properties and is used as a symbol of love and fertility. Maypoles, which are tall poles decorated with ribbons and flowers, are also a common feature of May pagan celebrations. People, often dressed in traditional clothing, dance around the Maypole, weaving the ribbons as they go. May pagan holidays are not only a time for celebration and connection with nature but also a time for reflection and spiritual growth. Many pagans and Wiccans use this time to honor their ancestors and to perform rituals and spells for growth, abundance, and protection. In conclusion, May is a month filled with pagan holidays and celebrations. Beltane and Walpurgis Night are just two examples of the many traditions and customs observed during this time. These holidays are a way for pagans and Wiccans to celebrate the beauty and abundance of nature and to connect with the spiritual realm. They are a reminder of the ancient traditions that have been passed down through generations and continue to be cherished today..
Reviews for "May Day Festivals and Fairs: Celebrating Community and Connection"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "May Pagan Holidays" as I am fascinated by paganism and love learning about different holidays and rituals. However, I found this book to be a letdown. The author's writing style was dry and lacked any real depth or insight into these holidays. It felt like a shallow overview rather than a meaningful exploration. I also found the book to be poorly organized, with no clear structure or flow. Overall, I was disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an in-depth look at pagan holidays.
2. John - 1 star - I have read numerous books on pagan holidays and rituals, but "May Pagan Holidays" is by far the worst I have come across. The author's lack of knowledge and expertise in the subject matter is evident throughout the book. The information provided is superficial and lacks any real substance. The writing style is dull and fails to engage the reader. The book also lacks any meaningful analysis or interpretation of these holidays, leaving the reader with no real insight into their significance. Overall, I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend this book to anyone interested in pagan holidays.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "May Pagan Holidays" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked any real depth or exploration of the pagan holidays featured. The author's writing style was bland and uninteresting, making it difficult to stay engaged with the content. I also found the organization of the book to be confusing, with information scattered throughout without any clear structure. Overall, I was left unsatisfied with this book and would not recommend it to others who are truly interested in understanding pagan holidays.