May Eve

(aka Beltain eve; Walpurgisnacht. The evening of the 31st)

This page was created by Marc Carlson
It was last edited 9 June 2004

Interpretations

• On Beltain eve, young people roam about acting out the coming of the Goddess of the Spring.
• All fires are extinguished on Beltain eve, to be rekindled later.
• Faeries are purported to be active.
• This is the time to ward off evil.
• It is the tradition on May eve for people to tear branches from the Hawthorn, to bedeck the gates and lintels of their homes. The Hawthorn (or Whitethorn) is the tree of hope, pleasure and protection.  Hawthorn heralds the coming of summer when hedgerows throughout the countryside are filled with its white blossom. The branches which are used to adorn the house bring protection to your home and boundaries at a time of boundary between the seasons. For good luck the hawthorn branches should be kept outside the house.

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