Tomorrow is May 1st and for many of us who live in northern climates this often feels like a more accurate date to mark the first day of spring, as opposed to the Spring Equinox on (or around) March 21.
Having been born in BC’s northern interior and then raised in northern Alberta, it was always the month of May where the world around me would burst into life…. pussy willows give way to the sparkle of new green leaves, dead brown grass is overgrown with fresh new blades, and wildflowers appear everywhere for all to admire their brilliance. For us in the north, March often has more snow than green grass and spring flowers!
As nature blooms into life all around me in the month of May, I too find myself filled with new motivation, inspiration and hope for the future. This sense of moving from the dormancy of winter into the vibrant and lively seasons of spring and summer makes me want to ‘do’ things… rake my front grass, take a drive to the mountains, and/or simply get outside and walk in the sunshine!
Since my early 20s I have been interested in and studied ancient celebrations and rituals to recognize annual holidays and mark changing seasons… and one such celebration is Mayday or Beltane.
The Gaelic festival of Beltane dates back to the Iron Age (1200 BC – 600 BC), and was at one time celebrated widely across Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. It is one of four Gaelic festivals marking the start of each new season… the others being Samhain on November 1, Imbolc on February 1, and Lughnasadh on August 1.
In Scots Gaelic, this holiday is known as Latha Bealltainn which translates to 'bright fire'. The festival traditionally ushered in the start of the pastoral summer season, during which time livestock was moved to summer pastures. Because of the great importance of livestock such as cattle, ancient cultures would often carry out rituals at Beltane with the intention to protect their livestock from natural and supernatural harm. Among the most notable rituals carried out was the burning of bonfires. This was done to commemorate the growing power of the sun in summer after months of winter darkness.
I recently traced my family lineage on my maternal grandfather’s side back to Scotland. I discovered that from the late 1400s until the early 1900s (when they immigrated to Canada) my grandfather’s family lived in a central area of Scotland called Stirlingshire County. Realizing the deep roots of these seasonal celebrations within my own ancestry has connected me to holidays like Mayday even deeper.
If this is of any interest to you, here are some modern-day events you can modify for yourself to create your own Mayday festivities or mark this welcome-to-summer ancient event.
Maypole Dancing
This lively and interactive activity is a classic Mayday tradition. There are many videos online that show how to create and dance around a maypole. Invite friends and family to your backyard, local park or any open outdoor space and take turns dancing around it to your favourite music.
Outdoor Picnic
Plan a picnic in a favourite or frequented outdoor space… a scenic park or by a lake. Bring along your favorite homemade treats, sandwiches, and refreshments. Enjoy this outing in beautiful spring surroundings with loved ones.
Flower Crowns
Whether you decide to go on an outdoor wildflower hunt or visit your local florist…gather your favourite and most vibrant blooms to make flower crowns! Making these crowns is especially fun to do with little ones. Again, there are many tutorials found online, so choose the most fun-to-you pattern. Once the crowns are created wear them while playing outside, going for a nature walk or hang it in a place that is meaningful to you… reminding you to celebrate the season's abundance.
Mayday Craft Activities
Invite over your favourite crafters! Set up a craft station outdoors… provide materials such as ribbon, paper, brightly colored material pieces, rocks, flower pots, paint, etc. Look to the bounty of nature around you for any extra material or treasures you want to craft with. Listen to fun, lively favourite music, dance as you feel like it and allow yourself to be filled with gratitude and joy for this vibrant season as it prepares to bloom! Hang or place your creations outside for you and the faeries alike to enjoy.
Plant a Garden
May is an excellent time to start planting a garden. Gather friends or family members and spend the day planting flowers, herbs, or vegetables in your backyard or a community garden plot.
Outdoor Fire (if permitted)
If permitted and safe, gather around a backyard or beach evening fire with like-minded persons. Gather around the fire, roast marshmallows, share refreshments, sing songs, dance and enjoy the warmth of the flames under the night sky.
The constant cycle of changing seasons reminds us that just as nature makes her way through the darkness of winter back into the light of spring so too shall we navigate our changes, struggles or hardship… a promise that the light will always return.
I wish you all the blessings and joy of this Spring season as she prepares to bloom with vitality and purpose!! If you would like to further explore YOUR own beautiful vitality, I invite you to download our ‘Four Steps to Vibrant Health’ PDF by clicking the link below ⬇️
Happy Spring,
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