The Return of the Sun...
Beltane is an anglicization of the Irish "Bealtaine" or the Scottish "Bealtuinn." While "tene" clearly means "fire," nobody really knows whether Bel refers to Belenus, a pastoral god of the Gauls, or is from "bel," simply meaning "brilliant." It might even derive from "bil tene" or "lucky fire" because to jump between two Beltane fires was sure to bring good fortune, health to your livestock, and prosperity.

When the Druids and their successors raised the Beltane fires on hilltops throughout the British Isles                   on May Eve, they were performing a real act of magic, for the fires were lit in order to bring the sun’s light            down to earth. In Scotland, every fire in the household was extinguished, and the great fires were lit from               the need-fire which was kindled by 3 times 3 dancers using wood from the nine sacred trees. When the wood           burst into flames, it proclaimed the triumph of the light over the dark half of the year.

Then the whole hillside came alive as people thrust brands into the newly roaring flames and whirled them           about their heads in imitation of the circling of the sun. If any one there was planning a long journey or        dangerous undertaking, they leaped backwards and forwards three times through the fire for luck. As the fire sunk     low, the girls jumped across it to procure good husbands; pregnant women stepped through it to ensure                 an easy birth, and children were also carried across the smoldering ashes. When the fire died down,                    the embers were thrown among the sprouting crops to protect them, while each household carried some back         to kindle a new fire in their hearth. When the sun rose that dawn, those who had stayed up to watch it               might see it whirl three times upon the horizon before leaping up in all its summer glory.

                                                      ...The Rites of Spring
Beltane was a time of fertility and unbridled merrymaking, when young and old would spend the night                    making love in the Greenwood. In the morning, they would return to the village bearing huge budding boughs            of hawthorn (the mayflower-tree) and other spring flowers with which to bedeck themselves, their families,                and their houses. They would process back home, stopping at each house to leave flowers, and enjoy                      the best of food and drink that the home had to offer. In every village, the maypole—usually a birch or ash pole—

was raised, and dancing and feasting began. Festivities were led by the May Queen and her consort, the King who was sometimes Jack-in-the-Green, or the Green Man, the old god of the wildwood. They were borne in state

through the village in a cart covered with flowers and enthroned in a leafy arbor as the divine couple

whose unity symbolized the sacred marriage of earth and sun.

Arise at dawn and wash in the morning dew: the woman who washes her face in it will be beautiful;

the man who washes his hands will be skilled with knots and nets.

If you live near water, make a garland or posy of spring flowers and cast it into stream, lake or river to bless           the water spirits.

Prepare a May basket by filling it with flowers and goodwill, then give it to one in need of caring, such as a shut-in   or elderly friend.

Beltane is one of the three "spirit-nights" of the year when the faeries can be seen.

At dusk, twist a rowan sprig into a ring and look through it, and you may see them.

Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck—but make sure you tie up long skirts first!

Make a May bowl —wine or punch in which the flowers of sweet woodruff or other fragrant blossoms are soaked—and drink with the one you love.