Bealtaine is a tradition that goes back to pre-Christian times. Much of the traditions have continued into Christian times and the modern day. After all Bealtaine is the name of the 5th month (May) and Lá Bealtaine (May Day) is a day celebrated in Irish tradition along with Oíche Bhealtaine (May Eve). The Irish tradition has been adopted and mutated as the international celebration of Beltane, but Beltane is not Irish, it is all things to all people, although it might still have themes inspired by or linked to this ancient Irish fire festival.
Uniquely Bealtaine has 2 fires not 1, unlike the 8 other major events in the Pagan calendar. Fires were lit at solstices and equinoxes and also at Imbolc (fire is linked with Brigid), Lughnasadh and Samhain. The tradition of the bonfire is still very much in existence in modern Ireland today. It is a time of purification, Aos Sí (the fairies) of marriages, of fertility, the arrival of summer and the blessing of animals and tools for work.
In recent decades Bealtaine has become very commerical and seen as an event to monetize (like all of life perhaps). This may be a sign of the times, rather than something specific to Irish Paganism, however, it is a worrying trend. Events where the land is covered in left-over tents, plastic rubbish, wasted food and a damaged environment is not our idea of Pagan Spirituality. Respect is not something that can be faked. Not all that glitters is gold, not all publicity is good publicity. Some things do not need to be shared with everyone across the internet!
We wish you a blessed Bealtaine, may there be room for wonder, for silence, for connection - away from the ever present smart phones and their invasion of all our private spaces. Let this be an enjoyable time for you, but above all let us try to make it a sacred time, as it should be.
