EPISODE · Jun 4, 2026 · 35 MIN
The History of Beltane & May Day in London - Watching a 40ft Wicker Man BURN!
from Macabre London
Have you ever wondered about the origins of May Day and why we get a day off on the bank holiday? Well, you can thank your randy ancestors who were all about getting drunk and hooking up on the first of May. As the cold of winter thawed, people emerged from their homes and were looking for other humans to socialise with. Over time, this turned into a celebration which spanned most of Europe. Beltane is a celtic fire festival which turned into May Day and it's been celebrated in London for centuries in many different incarnations. Learn all about the maypole and why it upset Christians and how it used to be ok to knock off with people without judgement, How tall was London's largest Maypole, what happened to it and how did these celebrations mutate into a huge 40ft Wicker Man fire festival a short way outside London in Hampshire...all that and more on today's episode. Thanks to Butser Ancient Farm for the press invite to the Beltane festival - be sure to check them out here: https://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/ So if you're interested in magick, the occult, historical beliefs, witchcraft and just how the religion we know today was developed and forged in the old fires, with the occasional human sacrifice thrown in, then make sure you join me, this is just the beginning!This series is sponsored by Snag - Clothing for Every Body! Make sure you check them out www.snagtights.com------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode! Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT————————Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondon——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons -Sam, Sarah, Veronica, Mary, Christina, Sally, Christophe, Ravelle, Jemma, Terri and Matilda.And to all of our wonderful upper tier patrons... Andrew, Denise, Bethan, Ashley, David, Kathryn, Andrea, Claire, Amy, Wendy, Inge, Liz, Kelly, Boudicca, Jana, Laura, Christina,And thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com---------------------------------------------london history, medieval london, london churches, british history, uk history, church history, medieval church, christian history, religious history, devil in churches, devil art, medieval devil, doom paintings, doom painting meaning, medieval wall paintings, church wall paintings, medieval art, religious art history, hell in medieval art, depiction of hell, last judgement paintings, last judgement medieval, fear in religion, church fear tactics, religion and control, psychology of religion, history documentary, dark history, macabre history, occult history, eerie history, haunted history london, london mysteries, hidden london, secret london history, strange history, historical mysteries, true history stories, educational documentary, youtube documentary history, medieval beliefs, fear of hell medieval, sin and punishment medieval, religious symbolism, gothic art, early christian art, church propaganda history, art and fear, storytelling history, historical storytelling, british churches documentary, wicker man, wickerman, wicker man burning, folk festival uk, weird walk, stone club, folk revival UK, folk customs UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What this episode covers
Have you ever wondered about the origins of May Day and why we get a day off on the bank holiday? Well, you can thank your randy ancestors who were all about getting drunk and hooking up on the first of May. As the cold of winter thawed, people emerged from their homes and were looking for other humans to socialise with. Over time, this turned into a celebration which spanned most of Europe. Beltane is a celtic fire festival which turned into May Day and it's been celebrated in London for centuries in many different incarnations. Learn all about the maypole and why it upset Christians and how it used to be ok to knock off with people without judgement, How tall was London's largest Maypole, what happened to it and how did these celebrations mutate into a huge 40ft Wicker Man fire festival a short way outside London in Hampshire...all that and more on today's episode. Thanks to Butser Ancient Farm for the press invite to the Beltane festival - be sure to check them out here: https://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/ So if you're interested in magick, the occult, historical beliefs, witchcraft and just how the religion we know today was developed and forged in the old fires, with the occasional human sacrifice thrown in, then make sure you join me, this is just the beginning!This series is sponsored by Snag - Clothing for Every Body! Make sure you check them out www.snagtights.com------------------------If you love British true crime, unsolved mysteries, and historical murders, don’t miss this episode! Also available wherever you get your podcasts: https://podfollow.com/macabrelondon-------------------------Be sure to check out my other podcast, Killers, Cults & Queens https://podfollow.com/queens---------------------------SUPPORT————————Paypal - paypal.me/macabrelondonKO-FI: ko-fi.com/macabrelondonPATREON: www.patreon.com/macabrelondon——————————-Thank you to our executive producer patrons -Sam, Sarah, Veronica, Mary, Christina, Sally, Christophe, Ravelle, Jemma, Terri and Matilda.And to all of our wonderful upper tier patrons... Andrew, Denise, Bethan, Ashley, David, Kathryn, Andrea, Claire, Amy, Wendy, Inge, Liz, Kelly, Boudicca, Jana, Laura, Christina,And thanks to all other patrons too!————————SOCIAL MEDIA---------------------------------------------Insta: @nikkimacabrelondonTikTok: @macabrelondonFacebook: @macabrelondonEmail: macabrelondon@hotmail.com---------------------------------------------london history, medieval london, london churches, british history, uk history, church history, medieval church, christian history, religious history, devil in churches, devil art, medieval devil, doom paintings, doom painting meaning, medieval wall paintings, church wall paintings, medieval art, religious art history, hell in medieval art, depiction of hell, last judgement paintings, last judgement medieval, fear in religion, church fear tactics, religion and control, psychology of religion, history documentary, dark history, macabre history, occult history, eerie history, haunted history london, london mysteries, hidden london, secret london history, strange history, historical mysteries, true history stories, educational documentary, youtube documentary history, medieval beliefs, fear of hell medieval, sin and punishment medieval, religious symbolism, gothic art, early christian art, church propaganda history, art and fear, storytelling history, historical storytelling, british churches documentary, wicker man, wickerman, wicker man burning, folk festival uk, weird walk, stone club, folk revival UK, folk customs UK Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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The History of Beltane & May Day in London - Watching a 40ft Wicker Man BURN!
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