Witchology, n., the study of Witches & Witchcraft
by Dr Leo Ruickbie

Study and learn the history of Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Magic and the Occult with our courses and resources

May: Beltane to Frigg's Day

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 festicals, amongst others. Around the world, Isis, Frigg and Tefnut were honoured.

Pagan Festivals and Holy Days in May

Introduction

May is named after the goddess Maia, the wife of Mars. May is a month of purification and religious ceremony in honor of the dead, and is considered an inauspicious time for marriage.

The Anglo-Saxon name for May is Thrimilcmonath, 'thrice-milk month' because cows give milk three times a day during the month of May. The runes for this month are Lagu, which signifies vigorous, energetic growth, and Ing, representing fertility and procreation. This month is dedicated to the Thunder God Thor and Freya. The modern Asatru name for May is Merrymoon, representing delight in the forthcoming summer season.

Roman Calendar

1 - Day sacred to Maia
Feast for Lares Praestites
2 - Day sacred to Elena
3 - Women's Festival of Bona Dea
4 - Megalesia (Festival of Cybele
9 - Festival of Lemuria (1st day)
11 - Festival of Lemuria (2nd day)
13 - Festival of Lemuria (3rd day)
15 - Day sacred to Maia and Vesta
Sacrifice day to the Tiber River
17 - Festival of Dea Dia
18 - Day sacred to Apollo
23 - Rosalia (Festival of Flora)
27 - Secular Centennial Games
29 - Festival of Ambarvalia
Feast of Mars

Other Dates

30 April / 1 May: Walpurgisnacht (Germanic); Beltane (Celtic/Wiccan)
8: White Lotus Day (Theosophy)
11: Rain Ceremony (Guatemalan)
14: Isis Day (Ancient Egyptian)
Runic Half-Month of Ing (Norse/Odinist)
20: (or nearest Thursday) Mjollnir Day / The Wild Hunt (Norse/Odinist)
21: Day of Tefnut (Ancient Egyptian)
23: Semik (Russian)
29: Runic Half-Month of Odal (Norse/Odinist)
30: Frigg's Day (Norse/Odinist)

Recommended Reading

Witchcraft Out of the Shadows by Leo Ruickbie

If you knew that there was one book that would change the history of witchcraft would you want to read it? Contains new analyses, fresh insights and previously unpublished material from the author's PhD research.

Wicca in the context of historical witchcraft from Ancient Greece to the Witch Hunts.

"Witchcraft out of the Shadows is an engaging book which deserves to be the benchmark for all future analyses of the Craft." - Alan Richardson

More: Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com.

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Witchology, n., the study of Witches & Witchcraftby Dr Leo Ruickbie