By Charly SHELTON

Beltaine was last week, May 1, and it was celebrated around the world in a variety of ways. Beltaine, the pagan Sabbat welcoming summer, is a time of light, fire, plenty and fertility. Traditionally, a bonfire is set and celebrants leap over the fire to cleanse the past and the darkness of winter before enjoying a feast and celebrating the fertility of the season with another act promoting fertility. Cattle would also be led between two bonfires to ensure healthy milk production and to cleanse them. Out of this festival came another fertility tradition that became a secular tradition as Christianity spread – the maypole. Ribbons are twisted and woven together around a pole, usually by children as a game and by young adults as a flirty dance, until they are tied to the pole and it is kept as a souvenir from the holiday until the following year.

Locally, Wiccan groups and general neo-pagan communities gathered over the weekend to celebrate the festival. From backyard barbecues to huge rituals with chanting and a maypole, there were options for everyone around the LA area.

Whether there is a bonfire or a barbecue, a maypole or no, a dance or just a friendly conversation, the one thing in common is feasting. Whether a large or small observance, Beltaine is a feast day and friends coming together to share in the plenty of the season is always a good time.

  Charly Shelton