May: Beltane to Frigg's Day

Find out the history and origins of these traditional festivals and customs as well as anniversaries and a what's on guide to events around the world.

May Events Guide

From the Festival of Scarecrows to Walpurgisnacht and World Healing Day, we cover this month's pagan rituals, moots, parties and events. Find out what's on around the world with our May events guide.

May Events

History and Origins

30th April / 1st May

The night of the 30th of April and the 1st of May is celebrated by two traditions. The Celtic festival of Beltane (or Beltaine) and the Germanic celebration of Walpurgisnacht are both observed between 30th April and 1st May.

Beltane Walpurgisnacht

Historical Pagan Calendar

May begins with a day sacred to Maia, the goddess who gave her name to this month. In ancient Rome it was the month of the Lemuria and Rosalia festivals, amongst others. Around the world, Isis, Frigg and Tefnut were honoured.

May Calendar

Anniversaries

Salem Witchcraft Trials

2nd to 31st of May, 1692

Arrests and further denounciations made, the witchcraft trials in Salem Massachusetts are well underway.

• May 2, 1692: Hathorne and Corwin examine Sarah Morey, Lyndia Dustin, Susannah Martin and Dorcas Hoar.
• May 4, 1692: George Burroughs is arrested in Maine.
• May 7, 1692: George Burroughs is returned to Salem and placed in jail.
• May 9, 1692: Corwin and Hathorne examine Burroughs and Sarah Churchill. Burroughs is moved to a Boston jail.
• May 10, 1692: Corwin and Hathorne examine George Jacobs, Sr. and his granddaughter Margaret Jacobs. Sarah Osborne dies in prison.
• May 14, 1692: Increase Mather and Sir William Phipps, the newly elected governor of the colony, arrive in Boston. They bring with them a charter ending the 1684 prohibition of self-governance within the colony.
• May 18, 1692: Mary Easty is released from prison. Following protest by her accusers, she is again arrested. Roger Toothaker is also arrested on charges of witchcraft.
• May 27, 1692: Phipps issues a commission for a Court of Oyer and Terminer and appoints as judges John Hathorne, Nathaniel Saltonstall, Bartholomew Gedney, Peter Sergeant, Samuel Sewall, Wait Still Winthrop, and Lieutenant Governor William Stoughton.
• May 31, 1692: Hathorne, Corwin and Gednew examine Martha Carrier, John Alden, Wilmott Redd, Elizabeth Howe and Phillip English. English and Alden later escape prison and do not return to Salem until after the trials end.