Beltane vs Mayday | What's the difference?
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Published 2024-04-30
We will look at ancient precursors to the festival in the pagan worldview of our European forebears, where this day was a crucial one in the pastoral calendar - when livestock would be driven to summer pastures amid magic protective rites and fertility rituals.
We also look at later folk traditions connected with May Day, such as the Green Man, the May Queen, Fairy folk, Morris Dancing and of course the May Pole and ask what, if any, resonance these may have with our pre-Christian past and the worldview of Germanic Paganism.
Finally I will look at some ways to engage with this time of year in a way that feels like a nod to the old ways.
To support me as a storyteller & folklorist consider making a donation on Patreon:
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All Comments (21)
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Happy Beltane! 🔥 Right. I'm off to the woods
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“If there’s a bustle in your Hedgerow, don’t be alarmed now. It’s just a spring clean for the May Queen.”
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MAY THE ENERGY OF BELTANE IGNITE YOUR INNER FLAMES OF PASSION & CREATIVITY . BLESSED BE ! 🔥
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I was born on Imbolc 9 moons after a nice May Day. My parents’ DNA was happy to twine. She/He created me.
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Intriguing. I did appreciate the absence of any judgmental tones, and found your (literally) fireside style of delivery engaging. Thanks for posting.
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When you live in western Alberta. You realize how far behind your growing season is. I still have some snow in my yard. Only flowers I will be getting is from the store unfortunately.
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I will not be getting on with my life until I have consumed your entire channel 😁💜💜💜
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For me as a non-herder it is a planting moon and I spend a lot of time communing with the seedlings going into the ground. The birds and frogs are in full song and it’s truly magical.
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Happy HexenNacht & Blessed Beltane. 🔥
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In the 50s when I was in grammar School in Austin Texas we used to have a May Day festival every year and we had maypoles and the students with different Maypole dances with ribbons make different patterns we practice for a couple of months before to get it right for the festival
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<3 This video! Beltane is my marker for sheering my sheep, and when I can stay out hiking over night. It's like "I'm Free!" for me and my sheep. I can see why this would always have been a celevrated time of year :D
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First of May First of May Outdoor fucking starts today But as usual it do rain So we fucks off indoors again.
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How wonderful, I was looking for a good explanation of this, not two days ago now! Thank you again, definitely going to be here alot it seems 😆
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super! thanks for sharing your knowledge, images, and passion, I really enjoyed your teaching
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Thanks so much 🌻🏵🌹 Happy Mayday to you and yours.
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In Irish Gaelic it's pronounced "Bal - tin - eh" or "Byal - tin - eh" not "Bell - tayne". Growing up in the 1980's we always had bonfires at this time but sadly it has died out in recent years, mainly due to a combination of health and safety concerns and the relentless effects of globalization/ modernization.
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Very interesting and informative 😊❤ lovely analysis and breakdown.
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Happy holiday, and may the good spirits always be at your side. Acuci moya.
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Happy Bealtaine, folks!
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Lovely vid! I enjoy your explaining the 2 holidays! You are so informative!
