What is Beltane (Beltaine)

For the Celts , Beltane (known as May Day in modern times) marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season when the herds of livestock were driven out to the summer pastures and mountain grazing lands. The Celts honored the fertility of the gods with gifts and offerings, sometimes including animal or human sacrifice.

In Scotland Beltane was one of the quarter days, or terms when rents were due and debts settled.
On the eve of Beltane, two fires were built close together and cattle were driven between them to ward off disease prior to putting the stock out to pasture for the new season.

Some common questions relating to Beltane are :
What is Beltane is it some sort of occult Holiday but not Halloween ?.
When was the celtic festival beltane held?.

Beltane kicks off the merry month of May, and has a long history.
The Maypole is a symbol of Beltane fertility.

Because Beltane festivities usually kicked off the night before with a big bonfire, the Maypole celebration usually took place shortly after sunrise the next morning.

Beltane is particularly associated with the custom of lighting bonfires on the eve of the feast, to protect cattle from witchcraft (and the performance of various rites of purification). Great bonfires were built on Beltane in Ireland and on the Isle of Man; in Scotland the fires might be on mountain-tops

This was a time when couples and probably more than a few surprised triads came staggering in from the fields, clothes in disarray and straw in their hair after a night of bonfire-inspired lustiness.

These Great bonfires would mark a time of purification and transition, heralding in the season in the hope of a good harvest later in the year, and were accompanied with ritual acts to protect the people from any harm.