The Irish Gaelic Bealtaine or the Scottish Gaelic Bealtuinne is more commonly known as Beltane or May Day. Beltane is the fire of the Celtic god of light, Bel, Belinus or Beli. It is celebrated on May 1st, the midway point between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice.

Beltane festivities would begin days before May 1st. The villiagers would travel into the woods to gather nine sacred woods needed to build the Beltane bonfires. Each wood had a magical property. Birch was for the Goddess; Oak was for the God. Hazel was for knowledge and wisdom. Rowan was for life, and Hawthrone for Purity and fairy magic. The Willow was for death. Fir was for Birth and rebirth. Apple was for love and family and the Vine was for joy and happiness. The Beltane fires were huge fires to welcome back the sun for the light half of the year (summer.) The people would dance around the fires all night, jumping over the flames to guarantee they would have a successful summer. All the hearth fires were put out on Beltane Eve. They would relight the hearths with the Beltane fires. The tradition of May Boughing is done before the fires are lit on Beltane. A young man is supposed to fasten garlands of flowers and greens on the windows and doors of their intended love. The May Queen for the Celts represented the virgin goddess on the eve of her change from Maiden to Mother. The May King and the May Queen symbolizes the fertility and rebirth of the world. In the old Celtic times, “A Maying” was when young people would spend the night in the woods. It was a time of unabashed sexuality. Marriages of year and a day could be made. If the couple felt they had made a good match, they would remain married. If they felt the match was not a good one, they would part ways.