Bealtaine April 30th is a cross quarter ritual.
Being a cross quarter ritual we should now reflect on Samhain, both of these are considered times when the veil between the two worlds in thin indeed, and this is also a night of mischief.
Beltane, which means "Bel-fire" (where Bel stands for the shining one), also known as Mayday, the Teutonic's follow the name of Walburga or sometimes referred to as Walpurisnacht. The Mexican Craft celebrate Roodmas, while the Strega celebrate the Festival of Tana. The Caledonii celebrate Bealtinne. Mayday is traditionally celebrated on the first day of May, while Beltane is recognized on the 5th of May. Beltane is the last of the three spring fertility festivals, and is when people, plant, and animals prepare for the warm months ahead. This is a time for love, union, and of course, the Maypole. It is a time of joining two halves to make whole-the third entity.
Everyone partaking in the celebration should wear light colored clothing or robes of white or light colors. Your home and celebration area should include floating candles and flowers that are very fresh. You may even wish to distribute flower petals around your circle as well, and later place them around the perimeter of your home for further protection. Typically the traditional food for this celebration is sweet cakes, or just simply nuts, though you may add anything you wish.
The Oak tree is the symbol for the God of the Waxing Year, though at this time it is a symbol of the White Goddess. The colors for this festival are lavender, warm pink and lemon yellow, though you may wish to add bright blue as well. If you plan on having a Maypole you may wish to decorate this with its traditional colors, white and red which symbolizes the Divine Union of the Lord and Lady. The Maypole tree was traditionally a white hawthorn to symbolize the transition from spring to summer.
(Parliament made maypoles illegal in 1644, but they came back with the Restoration; in 1661 a 134-foot maypole was set up in the Strand.)
There are many other things you may wish to add to your celebration besides the maypole. You may wish to have power chants, singing, and of course dancing. If there is a Guardian of the House you may wish to honor this as well after the Great Rite. Bealtaine is also a time for fertility and unashamed human sexuality. It is also customary to have a May Queen and Lord. In ancient times a Lord was chosen as the winner of a battle- perhaps you may wish to put on a show, then have the Lord choose his Queen.
Considering Bealtaine traditionally means bonfire please remember that you should have a fire extinguisher or other suitable way to extinguish this. We do not wish any injuries to the land or the people during their celebrations.