Are May Day and Beltane the Same Thing? And What Does Walpurgis Night Have to Do With it?

Celebrations for the arrival of the warmer months date back as far as the height of the Roman Republic era (probably most definitely earlier), with celebrations ranging from month-long nightly orgies for Maiouma to devotions of grain and animal sacrifices to goddesses for Floralia. Throughout history, different regions celebrated this time of year for roughly the same reasons but with different names. There are several traditions when it comes to May Day that span regions — they’re not just Gaelic but also Germanic and European in general. These celebrations, though diverse in practice, share a common thread: they honor the resurgence of life and warmth after the harsh winter months.

Let’s start with the Roman Republic Era, The Floralia Festival, and Maiouma.

Back in the Roman Republic, the festival that may have inspired modern May Day revelry was Floralia. This festival celebrated the warmer weather and honored Flora, the goddess of flowers, plants, and fertility. Festivities typically began on April 27 and lasted until early May.

Rome would turn into a riot of colors, and the air would be thick with the scent of floral bouquets in celebration of nature’s rebirth. Floralia, like many other early holidays, was a time when Romans threw caution to the wind. The city threw out the rules and came alive with theatrical performances, circus acts, and street games…