Beltane is the end of spring with the promise of summer on the way.  The rains that fell throughout spring have begun to bear fruit.  The land greens, crops recently planted begin to grow and the first of the spring calves are born.  The idea of new life, new growth flows through the minds of all: young and old; human and animal; plant and sea.  During the eve, bonfires are lit while animals and people are guided between the two bonfires (in Gàidhlig – ‘Eadar dà theine Bhealltainn’) for both protection and purification.  Some spry young men actually leap the fire itself, with the intension that the crops will grow as high as they leap. 

As at Samhain, the veil between this world and the Otherworld is perceived as ‘thinned’.  Celts may see the Sidhe dancing atop the distant hills; Germans/Norse may see ‘witches’ or old ones gathering around bonfires, hallowing the land; using the bonfires to drive off the last bits of Winter.

In the morning, the feeling is one of life, love, movement and fertility. Young men gather garlands of flowers and branches of evergreens to attract the love of a maiden.  Morris dancers greet the sunrise with the flash of swords and the ringing of bells.  A maypole dance is a common event in many cultures.  All of these activities with a desire to bring fertility to the lands, animals, and peoples. 

A majority of recent memories I have of May Day involves walking around my work, the sounds of the male pigeons as they attempt to persuade female pigeons into mating singing in my ears.  What childhood memories I have involve the glory of a late spring lightening storms over the fields, and a vague memory of the site of a funnel cloud in the distance.  I do fondly remember that it was on a Beltaine weekend that I had my first sexual experience. (317 words)