Beltane is a Gaelic May festival associated with the beginning of summer, protective fire rites, livestock and seasonal transition. Modern Pagan practice also emphasizes fertility, vitality, community and the flowering landscape.
Deities associated with Beltane
Belenus
A Celtic deity often associated with brightness and healing; links to the name Beltane are debated and should not be overstated.
Flora
Roman goddess of flowers and flourishing, often used in modern spring-to-summer practice.
Aphrodite
Greek goddess of love and desire, a modern thematic association rather than a historical Beltane deity.
Cernunnos
A modern Pagan association with vitality and the wild; not securely attested as a Beltane deity in antiquity.
Historical association vs. modern correspondence
Beltane is historically a Gaelic seasonal festival, but modern practice often adds figures from Greek, Roman and reconstructed Celtic traditions. Those layers should remain clearly identified.
Reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltane
Explore More Beltane
Return to the Beltane main guide for the history, meaning, traditions and wider context of the Sabbat.