What the word means
Nobody is certain. Medieval Irish writers explained it as a lucky fire or the fire of a god called Bel, and modern scholars propose other roots, some linking it with shining light. Everyone agrees on the second half: tene is the Irish word for fire.
Two fires and the herd
Cormac's Glossary, from the early 10th century, and the tale of the Wooing of Emer both describe druids lighting two fires with incantations and driving the cattle between them, to guard the herd from disease before it went up to the summer grazing. Household fires were put out and lit again from the festival fire. The evidence for fire is stronger here than at Samhain.
Flowers at the door
Yellow and white flowers such as hawthorn blossom were laid at doors and windows, a colour that echoed the fire. In parts of Ireland a May bush was set up, a thorn branch dressed with flowers, ribbons and rushlights. Maypoles, May queens and dancing at dawn belong to the wider May Day of Britain and northern Europe.
Walpurgis and May Day
In German-speaking lands the same night is Walpurgisnacht, with its own fires and witches of legend. In Italy, Calendimaggio greets the spring with songs on the same date. They are separate customs that share a turning point in the year.
How it is kept today
Edinburgh holds a large Beltane Fire Festival every year on the night of 30 April, and Wiccans and other modern Pagans keep it as one of their eight sabbats. At home it can be as small as a branch in a jug and a candle at the open window.
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