20 Recipes for Your All-Night Beltane Party (2024)

FAQs

What foods do you eat for Beltane? ›

Animal Products. Livestock, like cows and goats, were commonly featured during Beltane festivities, which means they'd act as a perfect main course for your feast. Ideally, make a dish that can be grilled over the edge of your bonfire, such as Mom's Beef Shish Kabobs, or even slow roast a goat leg for a unique main.

Beltane or Bealtaine (/ˈbɛl.teɪn/; Irish pronunciation: [ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠəʲnə], approximately /ˈb(j)ɒltɪnə/ B(Y)OL-tin-ə) is the Gaelic May Day festival, marking the beginning of summer. It is traditionally held on 1 May, or about midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice.

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.

Beltane marks the first day of summer. It means “bright fire” in Celtic and refers to the god Belenus, who protected the cattle of ancient Celtic pagans and offered healing and light.

The kingcup or marsh marigold is a familiar sight in wetlands and damp grassy areas, its brilliant yellow flowers braving the cold winds of early spring. I didn't realise until recently that it was known in Gaelic as Lus bhuidhe bealtuinn, 'the yellow plant of Beltane'.

Incorporate goddess symbols like baskets and cauldron, cups and bowls, or other feminine items. Circular decorations, like wreaths on the wall, can be used to represent the goddess as well. Make a goddess wreath, adorn it with flowers and ribbons, and hang it on your door to welcome the neighbors!

Rituals were performed to protect cattle, people and crops, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, whose flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around or between bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers.

Beltane – “bright fire” – was one such marker celebrated in various forms across Ireland, Scotland and Man as the starting point of summer. A celebration of the time of light and growth to come, Beltane was associated with a variety of practices, from the display of fresh greenery to the baking of Beltane bannocks.

Sometimes Beltane is referred to as Cetsamhain, which means 'opposite Samhain', which reflects the two festivals living on opposite sides on the wheel of the year - Beltane being Samhain's counterpart.

What are the Beltane blessings for May Day? ›

What are Beltane blessings? Beltane blessings are prayers, chants and mantras recited to honor the holiday. Some of these include Am Beannachadh Bealltain, as well as prayers to Roman goddess Flora (sometimes called the May Queen) and prayers to forests, trees, Mother Earth and fertility prayers.