Beltane and May in Glastonbury

With the blossoming of the May flower on the hawthorn, those tiny beautiful white and pink blossoms with such a strong smell, the yellow of the buttercups and blue of bluebells dancing in the sunshine, the blossoming of the apple trees in the orchards of Avalon, pink and white in colour with their distinctive smell, May time arrives on the land. The saying ‘never cast a clout till May is out’ refers to the May blossom and not the month! For the flowering can be early or late, depending on the weather through the winter and into spring. The birds start to sing, the insects start to emerge and the weather begins to warm. That is the ideal version! Hopefully this year the rain will stop and the sun will shine, the temporary lakes in the fields will disappear and the grass will grow once more.

The month of May begins in Glastonbury on May Day, the 1st of May, with the Morris Dancers dancing the dawn on the top of Glastonbury Tor and people there to greet the coming dawn and sunrise (if it’s not cloudy) with ceremony or just watching and experiencing, and the dance of May begins.  

Some people dress with headdresses of flowers and greenery, dressed for the Maytime, either taking part in events and ceremonies or not, the blossoming of May is all around and its good to acknowledge the season of the year and turning of the wheel.

Some ceremonies are public and some private and not always on the top of Glastonbury Tor but the land around as well.

 The Chalice Well is open to all for the morning, and the honouring of the season begins with music and drumming and sometimes a Beltane fire to jump over in the far meadow, the fire blessing all as they do so.

The Maypole is erected in the lower part of the gardens, with the ribbons unfurled the dance begins until all the ribbons are entwined around the maypole and secured. More dancing, singing and gentle music then a chance to share and chat can be taken.

The White Spring holds space and if you step into the interior you will find beautiful candle light reflecting in the pools.

A place of thought on this May day.

 Later in the day in the town centre by the market cross, the Beltane festivities begin. The Maypole has been selected and prepared previously by the Lords of the Wildwood who carry it through the town in procession, to the market cross, joined by the May Queen and King, dancers, and drummers and all who want to join in.

The procession then begins making its way up the High Street and by the Chalice Well and White Spring where the maypole is blessed with the red and white spring waters before arriving at Bushy Combe.

These Greenmen of Glastonbury, dressed in green, headdresses of leaves and foliage are carrying on an ancient tradition held throughout the land not just in Glastonbury.

They are greeted by the Green Women, the Wild Women, the Beltane Maidens; the hole dug and blessed by them the day before. The Green Men of Glastonbury, The Lords of the Wildwood joined by the May Queen and King honour the place, the circle is created and the maypole, a crown placed upon its top, is lifted and placed into the ground and the dance begins. Twisting and twining, turning, and dancing the ribbons are weaved, round and round, up and down, the dance of May is danced until the final ribbon is used and tied to the Maypole. Whooping and cheering, music, and dance honour this turn of the seasons and the dance of May.

Food and drink are shared and if the weather has been kind picnic and more music follow.

Who will go into the Wildwood for the night? 

Other ceremonies take place in town on the day, some inside, some outside, there is so much to see and do, look, and find, explore, and enjoy.

On the  first Sunday in May, the day before the May Day bank holiday (the date varies each year) the Glastonbury Dragons emerge for their May Fayre and Procession.

The Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre is usually held in Glastonbury Abbey Abbots Kitchen Field but for 2024, due to Glastonbury Abbey Town Deal Project and work on Glastonbury Abbey, the Abbots Kitchen Field is the temporary entrance to the Abbey and unsuitable for the May Fayre this year. For 2024 only, the Glastonbury Dragons May Fayre is being held just by Glastonbury Information Centre, next to the Town Hall.

The Red and White Glastonbury Dragons, first made and created for Maytime represent the energy of the land, summer and winter, the changing of the seasons, the red and white springs of Glastonbury, the legend of Dragons upon and inside Glastonbury Tor and the original story of Vortigern and the legends of King Arthur. Created in the last 8 years these Glastonbury Dragons are a new tradition created from the old myths and legends.

With the dance of Morris Dancers and the beat of drummers drumming calling the Glastonbury Dragons, are they here, have they emerged from their lair?

More drumming sounds and they emerge, the Red and White Glastonbury Dragons walk with the drum beat in the centre of town for their ‘battle of the season.’

The Red Dragon of Summer and the White Dragon of Winter battle and the winner emerges. Will it be the Red Dragon of Summer?

We hope so! 

The winner is crowned with a wreath of flowers and leaves before the Red and White Glastonbury Dragons process up the High Street.

With drummers drumming the May time beats, the Dragons and all who join in the procession make their way through town, past the Chalice Well and White Spring to the Fairfield on the lower slopes of Glastonbury Tor.

The blossom circle is waiting, the drummers drum while the Glastonbury Dragons are blessed with the red and white spring water. The Dragons rest and watch while a ceremony takes place in the newly created blossom circle on the field.

A ceremony open to all, to connect with the energies of the land and the ancient Isle of Avalon with thought and intention. With the backdrop of the top of Glastonbury Tor and overlooking parts of the town, towards the distant hills, the Maytime season is honoured through words, song, and dance.

If the weather is kind and the sheep don’t leave a lot of ‘doopy doos’ on the field, a chance to sit and chat and picnic is there before walking back into town for the finale of Morris Dancing and Drummers to celebrate the end of the day.

May time in Glastonbury, there is so much to see, so much to take part in, this covers just a part of the celebrations in and around the town. There are more for you to find and explore, or it can simply be a chance for you to look at the views, explore alone, watch the emerging butterflies, the buttercups and mayflower, listen to the song of birds and enjoy time out.

How you choose to join in, celebrate or not, it up to you.

For more information on Beltane May time events in Glastonbury have a look at the Glastonbury Dragons Facebook page, The Glastonbury Beltane Facebook page. What’s on in Glastonbury and Glastonbury Town Events Facebook pages or pick up a paper copy of The Oracle.

©words and images, Vanda Lloyd – Avalon Dreaming, Glastonbury, 2024