In the month of May, various pagan holidays and festivals are celebrated around the world. These celebrations are deeply rooted in ancient traditions and often honor deities associated with fertility, nature, and the arrival of warmer weather. Here are a few notable pagan holidays in May: 1. Beltane: Beltane is a Gaelic festival that marks the beginning of the summer season. It is celebrated on May 1st and is characterized by bonfires, dancing, and rituals to bring good fortune and protect against harmful spirits. Beltane is associated with the god Belenus and the goddesses Flora and Maia.
What's most notable, 25 years on, is how a film that centers women and kills off the male love interests would feel like an outlier today. (Except for Aiden Quinn, the John Corbett of his day; just ask a Gen X-er.) The Lilith Fair energy was strong in the late '90s, but without the girl power fervor that made Practical Magic a mainstream hit back then, it would likely be merely a Netflix blip today. Filmmakers made the movie in Washington because the Salish Sea islands are undeniably stunning and believably magical. As a state whose best-known movies are a snooze or total cringe, we could do worse than claiming Practical Magic as our own.
Head down memory lane with the spellbinding Owens family and the personalities of Maria s Island, and check out what the stars have been up to since the cult classic hit theaters on Oct. When Sally s husband dies and she s deeply depressed and can t get out of bed, Gillian crawls under the covers with her and they lay there together and talk for what seems like hours.
Beltane is associated with the god Belenus and the goddesses Flora and Maia. 2. Floralia: Floralia is a Roman holiday dedicated to Flora, the goddess of flowers and springtime.
What 'Practical Magic' taught me about life, love and the importance of sisterhood
Practical Magic came out in 1998, when I was 9 years old. And it was a fixture of my childhood and high school years.
It feels like every fall, I would pop the movie into my VCR and get absorbed into a world of magic.
Marielle Segarra is the host of Life Kit, NPR's home for all the best tips and tricks. Brandon Watson for NPR hide caption
toggle caption Brandon Watson for NPRMarielle Segarra is the host of Life Kit, NPR's home for all the best tips and tricks.
Brandon Watson for NPR
The film is set in New England, and most of the action takes place in a gorgeous old house on a cliffside. Sunlight trickles through glass windowpanes into the house, where the occupants grow herbs for their spells and light candles by blowing on them.
Those occupants are witches, of course: two sisters named Sally, played by Sandra Bullock, and Gillian, played by Nicole Kidman, as well as their aunts, played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest.
I watched them with dreamy, wide eyes. Sandra Bullock in her loose-fitting jeans, a sweater, and white sneakers always looked casually, effortlessly cool. Nicole Kidman was striking with her impossibly long, bright red hair and chic black-on-black outfits.
And then you had the aunts, who were never afraid to be themselves — and showed that in their fashion choices. In one scene, Stockard Channing walks around town, shielding herself from the sun with a red parasol.
These women were strong. They were powerful. And they were playful. They ate chocolate cake for breakfast. They frolicked naked under the full moon. They blended up margaritas at midnight and danced around the kitchen in their pajamas to "Coconut" by Harry Nilsson. (Side note: the Practical Magic soundtrack is a treasure. Stevie Nicks. Joni Mitchell. Faith Hill's "This Kiss.")
I think, as a kid, that this was the extent of it. I loved how these characters made me feel.
It's funny, though, how a movie you've gone back to over and over since childhood can mean different things to you over time.
Learning a valuable lesson
As I got into middle school and high school, I started to pick up on some of the movie's other themes.
I remember watching it one October with a friend my sophomore year of high school. I'm pretty sure we were watching a VHS, and the resolution was grainy.
And then the scene came on. After a build-up of significant sexual tension, two characters share a passionate kiss. Sitting on my friend's bedroom floor, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I wanted to be kissed like that.
I related a lot to Gillian, Nicole Kidman's character.
At the beginning of the film, a desperate woman comes to the aunts and asks them to perform a love spell. Sitting in the kitchen, she throws down a wad of cash and says: "I want him to want me so much that he can't stand it." Then she takes a needle and stabs a bird — part of the spell.
Nicole Kidman's character Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find. Warner Bros/Maximum Film/Alamy hide caption
toggle caption Warner Bros/Maximum Film/AlamyNicole Kidman's character Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find.
Warner Bros/Maximum Film/Alamy
Sally and Gillian are young girls at this point, and they're sitting on the steps watching this unfold.
"I hope I never fall in love," Sally says.
"I can't wait to fall in love," Gillian says.
Sally is so determined to never fall in love that she casts a spell. She conjures up an image of a man who doesn't exist. He can ride a pony backwards. He can flip pancakes in the air. He'll be marvelously kind. His favorite shape will be a star, and he'll have one green eye, and one blue. Her logic is that if this man doesn't exist, she'll never fall in love, and she'll never have a broken heart.
And as she grows up, Sally stays afraid of romantic love. Afraid of feeling so deeply and then getting hurt. And for good reason.
Meanwhile, Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find. It's like an addiction.
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Later, one of Gillian's relationships turns abusive. In a scene at the house, she describes love to her niece, Sally's daughter.
"Do you ever put your arms out and spin and spin and spin really, really fast? Well that's what love is like," she says. "It makes your heart race. It turns the world upside down. But if you're not careful, if you don't keep your eyes on something still, you can lose your balance. You can't see what's happening to the people around you. You can't see that you're about to fall."
This movie introduced me to the idea that love could be dangerous. That you should learn to protect yourself.
But that's not the only lesson I learned.
A love worth taking a chance on
You remember the spell Sally cast? Well, I guess we're doing spoilers here — it turns out that he does exist. And he's her happy ending.
Watching Practical Magic now — and I still do watch it every October — it occurs to me that, yes, that is a Hollywood twist. You can't dream up a list of specific characteristics and go out in search of that person. And love isn't just about happy endings. It's an ongoing choice to treat someone else with care and respect.
But what I've learned is that real love is even more beautiful. Because when you do grow to love someone, all their idiosyncrasies and their details become so sacred to you, so imprinted on your heart, that it's almost like you'd dreamed them into existence.
That's worth taking a chance on.
There's an unbreakable bond between Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman). Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/Alamy hide caption
toggle caption Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/AlamyThere's an unbreakable bond between Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman).
Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/Alamy
The magic of friendship
The other theme in Practical Magic that's become more meaningful to me over time: friendship. Specifically, sisterhood.
There's an unbreakable bond between Sally and Gillian. When Sally's husband dies and she's deeply depressed and can't get out of bed, Gillian crawls under the covers with her and they lay there together and talk for what seems like hours.
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Her presence allows Sally the space to fully open up. "I was really, really happy," she says, choking back tears.
It can be heartbreaking to say out loud how much a loss hurts. But it's one of the first steps in healing, and it often comes only after someone has done you the kindness of sitting with you in your grief.
I rewatched Practical Magic last week with one of my best friends. She came over and we laid under a blanket on my couch, with a candle lit.
This friend is like a sister to me. She's been a steady presence in my life: in times of joy, but also in moments of grief, like when romantic love has fallen apart.
If the witches taught me anything, it's that life isn't so scary when you have the love of a sister.
Also to always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder. And fall in love whenever you can.
You remember the spell Sally cast? Well, I guess we're doing spoilers here — it turns out that he does exist. And he's her happy ending.
It takes place from April 28th to May 3rd and involves floral decorations, processions, and theatrical performances. Floralia symbolizes the renewal of vegetation and is celebrated with merriment and indulgence. 3. Walpurgis Night: Walpurgis Night, also known as May Eve, is a Germanic festival celebrated on the night of April 30th to May 1st. It is associated with the saint Walpurga and the arrival of spring. On this night, bonfires are lit, and people dance and make music to ward off evil spirits and welcome the warmer season. 4. Thargelia: Thargelia is an ancient Greek festival celebrated in late May or early June. It is dedicated to Apollo and Artemis, the twin gods of light and the hunt. Thargelia involves purification rituals, offerings of first fruits, and a procession to the seashore to cleanse the city. This festival is a time of renewal and purification. 5. Lemuria: Lemuria is a Roman festival observed on May 9th, 11th, and 13th. It is a time to honor the spirits of the dead and protect against malicious ghosts. During Lemuria, households perform rituals to exorcise any spirits that could cause harm and offer beans as appeasement to wandering souls. These pagan holidays in May serve as a reminder of our connection to nature and the changing seasons. They provide an opportunity to celebrate life, fertility, and the renewal of the Earth. Despite their ancient origins, these traditions continue to be observed and cherished by many people today..
Reviews for "Beltane Bonfires: Pagan Traditions and Symbolism"
1. Rachel - 2 stars
I found "Pagan Holidays in May" to be a bit disappointing. While I appreciate the author's attempt to shed light on obscure pagan traditions, I feel like the book lacked depth and meaningful insights. The information provided was very basic, and I was eager to learn more about the historical context and significance of these holidays. Additionally, the writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to fully engage with the content. Overall, this book failed to meet my expectations and left me wanting more.
2. Mark - 1 star
"Pagan Holidays in May" was a complete letdown for me. The author's lack of research and understanding of pagan religions was evident throughout the book. The information provided was inaccurate and misleading. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the cultural and spiritual significance of these holidays, but I was left feeling baffled and confused. The writing style was also unappealing, making it a struggle to get through each page. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about pagan holidays.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Pagan Holidays in May," but unfortunately, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The content felt shallow and lacking in substance. It seemed like the author just skimmed the surface of each holiday without delving deeper into their origins and rituals. I was left wanting more information and a better understanding of the traditions associated with these pagan holidays. Additionally, the book would have benefited from more engaging storytelling rather than presenting the information in a dry and uninspiring manner. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. David - 2 stars
As someone with a keen interest in pagan celebrations, I was excited to read "Pagan Holidays in May," but it fell short of my expectations. The information provided was basic and lacked the depth I was hoping for. I was left wanting more historical context and in-depth analysis of each holiday. Additionally, the writing style was dull and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged. I believe there are better resources available for those interested in learning about pagan holidays in May, and I would not recommend this book as a reliable source of information.