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Beltane: The Robin and the Dove

By Karen DePolito

In the ancient Keltic reckoning of seasons, May 1 marks the beginning of summer. This Sabbat and its opposite on the Wheel, Samhain (November 1), six months apart, were the Kelts' two most important festivals of the year. But while Samhain celebrates death, Beltane celebrates what we normally think of as "life”: that is, the active, growing part of life. Here, "summer" is defined as the period of growth following the "planting" season that began at Imbolg (Groundhog Day). This three-month part of the cycle ends at Lugnasadh (August 1), the beginning of the harvest.

The name Beltane translates as "Bel-fire", Bel being a very ancient divinity honored at this time. (Also known as Balor to the Irish, or Beli to the Welsh.) This entity can be traced back to the Sumerian god Bel (often identified with Enlil and Marduk), or with the better known Middle Eastern Baal (of Phoenician origin) who got so much bad press in the Hebrew Bible.