Melodi
Disaster Cat
Happy Beltane Even, May Eve, Walpurgis Night or whatever your tradition calls it - in much of Northern Europe this holiday evening was celebrated with huge fires, livestock were run beside or between them for fertility and couples pledged to marry or became in engaged.
A lot of bonfires were planned in Ireland tonight but I don't think too many will actually happen outdoors as the weather is simply not cooperating.
Celebrations will be low-key at our house and probably have to wait until the weekend since husband is at medical school but I'll send him a note to wish him a Happy Beltane Eve and probably light a candle as a symbolic fire. We may do a nice dinner Saturday or Sunday if we get the chance; in many places in the UK (and parts of the US) the Morris Dancers will be up at sunrise to dance in the dawn.
In some European traditions this is the start of the New Year, though for most it is a mid-year celebration. In the far North, like Sweden when we lived there, it is a national holiday but often celebrated with snow, in fact I gather it is snowing right now as one American friend who "married in" is reporting a bit surprised as this is her first time in Sweden for this day.
Germans tend to celebrate this day too as do the Irish (who call it Beltane on the official calendar). Well actually the Day is tomorrow but in many places the celebrations starts with the fires and partying the night before.