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Celebrations for the arrival of the warmer months date back as far as the height of the Roman Republic era (probably most definitely earlier), with celebrations ranging from month-long nightly orgies for Maiouma to devotions of grain and animal sacrifices to goddesses for Floralia. Throughout history, different regions celebrated this time of year for roughly the same reasons but with different names. There are several traditions when it comes to May Day that span regions - they're not just Gaelic but also Germanic and European in general. These celebrations, though diverse in practice, share a common thread: they honor the resurgence of life and warmth after the harsh winter months.
Let's start with the Roman Republic Era, The Floralia Festival, and Maiouma.
Back in the Roman Republic, the festival that may have inspired modern May Day revelry was Floralia. This festival celebrated the warmer weather and honored Flora, the goddess of flowers, plants, and fertility. Festivities typically began on April 27 and lasted until early May.
Rome would turn into a riot of colors, and the air would be thick with the scent of floral bouquets in celebration of nature’s rebirth. Floralia, like many other early holidays, was a time when Romans threw caution to the wind. The city threw out the rules and came alive with theatrical performances, circus acts, and street games that kept everyone from toddlers to centurions entertained.
Floralia also involved rituals and offerings to invoke Flora’s blessings. Flowers, the primary offerings to the goddess, were believed to please her, and in return, she would protect the blooming vegetation and ensure a bountiful harvest. The Romans also released hares and goats into the streets because they symbolized fertility and growth.
Floralia was a foundation for celebrating summer, setting the stage for May Day and influencing later celebrations of May Day, Beltane, and Walpurnis Night in Europe. As the Roman Empire expanded, so too did its cultural practices, intertwining with local customs and contributing to the evolution of summertime festivals. The emphasis on crops, livestock, fertility, and the celebration of life are still essential May Day traditions.
Maiouma
Maiouma was a nocturnal dramatic festival, held every three years and known as Orgies. Records show it as early as the 2nd century AD, starting under Emperor Commodus. These month-long nocturnal revels were dedicated to Dionysus and Aphrodite and featured all the trimmings of a dramatic night festival—think plenty of lit torches and splendorous banquets with no expense spared. Notorious for its wild shenanigans, it was canceled under Emperor Constantine but made a brief, tamer comeback under Arcadius and Honorius, but ultimately, its party spirit was just too much for the Roman rulers to handle, leading to its permanent demise.
Gaelic - Beltane
Burn it up! Beltane really ups the ante when it comes to bonfires.
Possibly translating to "little fires," this ancient festival isn’t just the unofficial kickoff to summer for Celtic countries; it’s when livestock were historically herded to fresh pastures and led between special bonfires as a sacred security system to bring luck to the animals. As they were paraded between the flames, the fires, smoke, and ashes were believed to keep away any evil—both natural and otherworldly.
On Beltane, every home hearth was snuffed out so it could be reignited from these hallowed bonfires, symbolically cleansing each household and its livestock.
The celebration wasn’t all about practical magic, though. Feasting was huge, and no party platter was complete without a portion set aside for the aos s×the spirits or fairies, ensuring everyone stayed on their good side. Homes, barns, and even animals got a festive makeover with bright yellow May flowers and decorations.
People in Ireland would decorate a May Bush, typically a thorn bush dolled up with flowers, ribbons, shiny shells, and rushlights. Visits to holy wells were common, and scooping up some Beltane dew was the ancient secret to eternal youth and beauty.
The Mummer's Dance by Loreena McKennit is my favorite song when thinking about Beltane and this time of year.
English - May Day
May Day celebrations in the UK have a rich and vibrant history. One of the most recognizable traditions is the maypole dance, which has been practiced since at least the 14th century. The dance involves people holding ribbons, which they weave together as they move around the maypole. Another popular feature of May Day festivities is Morris dancing, which has survived attempts to ban it during the Puritan era. After the monarchy was restored in 1660, May Day celebrations continued to evolve and thrive, while always retaining their joyful and festive spirit.
May Day celebrations across the UK are varied and unique for each region, with parades, music, dance, and jumping into the Magdalen Bridge into the River Cherwell (which is NOT recommended). In Somerset, Kingsbury Episcopi has traditional maypole and Morris dancing, as well as contemporary music acts. Whitstable and Rochester in Kent are all about the Jack in the Green festival, with parades and Morris dances galore. And let's not forget the Maydayrun, a thundering motorbike marathon from London to Hastings that's become as iconic as May Day itself.
May Day is all about celebrating spring in England and everyone dresses up in their best outfits to dance around the maypole. It's amazing to see how this celebration has changed over time but it still remains a lively and fun event.
Germanic - Walpurgisnacht / Walpurgis Night
As winter fades away and spring takes over, Walpurgis Night marks its arrival. Celebrated on April 30th, this night before May Day is not just a regular spring celebration, it has a deep historical significance, rooted in both pagan traditions and medieval mystique. The celebration is named after Saint Walpurga, an abbess who lived in the 8th century and was canonized on May 1st. The night combines her saintly festivities with much older and wilder traditions that were believed to have driven away the cold winter spirits.
People across Central and Northern Europe—particularly in Germany, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and the Czech Republic—believed that spirits and witches were out in full force, frolicking in the spring air and up to no good. To keep these supernatural denizens at bay, people would light bonfires, create a racket, and dance until dawn. It was like a medieval neighborhood watch with more dancing and less complaining about the noise.
Today, Walpurgis Night remains a fiery testament to spring fever. In Germany, it's all about "Tanz in den Mai" (Dance into May), where everyone—from the young to the young-at-heart—twirls around fires. Up north in Sweden and Finland, the night has morphed into a sort of student extravaganza featuring parades, silly hats, and songs that herald the arrival of spring. Estonia and the Czech Republic also have their own unique customs, adding to the celebrations.
And let’s not forget the witches. In some corners of these countries, people dress as witches and stroll through towns and villages, a whimsical reminder of Walpurgis Night's ghostly beginnings. Whether it's through a blaze of bonfires or the laughter of a parade, this night is a perfect mix of historical homage and spirited celebration, ensuring that as long as there are springs to welcome, Walpurgis Night will keep the magic alive.
Walpurgisnacht by Faun is one of my favorites.
Final Thoughts
As modern-day American spiritual people, when we think of May Day, our brains often go straight to Beltane, but the history of this day is so much richer and deeper. In America, May Day has historically included various celebrations, many of which have diminished or transformed over time due to changing cultural priorities and the busyness of modern life.
In fact, in Hawaii, May Day is celebrated as Lei Day, a unique cultural celebration that began in 1927. Lei Day emphasizes the Hawaiian tradition of making and wearing leis, and it includes lei-making competitions, music, hula dancing, and other festivities that celebrate Hawaiian culture and the aloha spirit. This is a wonderful example of how May Day is adapted to reflect the local culture and heritage in different regions.
Here's a comparison table of various May Day, Walpurgis, and Beltane traditions celebrated across different parts of Europe.
So, even if you can't celebrate the beginning of the warmer months because life gets in the way, maybe just have a bonfire in your backyard. No place to have a bonfire? Leave a food offering for the spirits or fae.
If you want more ideas on how to celebrate Beltane and the other Sabbats, check out my 2024 Sabbat Guide, which includes recipes, tips, history, and stories for each one. You can find it on Etsy -or- my Website.
You can even decorate your home with this firey Beltane Wall art.
Have a magical and blessed Beltane!