In the far western lands like the British Isles comes the most famous of Beltane accoutrements, the Maypole. The Maypole is a phallic symbol implanted in the Earth herself, her yoni. As with most pagan dances, dancing around the Maypole is circular and red and white ribbons attached to it.
Older English-Celtic texts, I do believe the Bard as well as some (as usual) condemning religious texts of the day, refer to people making "Greenbacks". This refers to Beltane rites that people continued to celebrate even after Christians damned it. The folks would go into the woods to have their Beltane orgies and return, quite literally with green backs. :)
Today also marks the first day of National Masturbation Month. So get out the vibrators and dildos and fleshlights and lube and jack and jill off to your heart's and genital's content! If you need supplies either use makeshift (and safe!) objects at home or order from a reputable online store like Babeland, Good Vibrations, or my personal favorite Eden Fantasy's.
Not that we need an official month to celebrate masturbation or self-loving, to quote Betty, but maybe you can celebrate in a different way this year. Perhaps with a new toy or technique. if you have a lover, try mutual masturbation if you've never done that before. Swap tales with your friends. Have a Jack Off or Jill Off party with like-minded buddies. Anyway you want to, rejoice in your body and the sexual freedoms we still have, though they are continuing to dwindle.
And because it is expected of me, yes, I do have an opinion on the DC Madam case. As with all similar controversies, this is incredibly stupid and a waste of time. Who cares? So long as the women are working consenually and the men aren't abusive assholes no one is getting hurt. No one, much less the government, has the right to regulate private, peaceful sexual adult affairs. Though I am not a fan of anyone in the Bush Administration, they have lost an important person because of this silliness.
Meanwhile, I am quite certain that the violent crime rate in DC has not dwindled in the slightest. Imagine if all these vice cops and whatever other law enforcement officials are involved in this were, instead, reassigned to patrolling bad neighborhoods or chasing down leads concerning local rapes, murders and assaults. But no. Let's harass a Madam! She's dangerous! Why, she may give your daughter a job making hundreds per hour! Or worse, you might cum! OH NO!
I am amused that she is ready to name names and that she's not going down without a fight. Though in other circumstances this information should remain private and preferrably shredded and in the fireplace, perhaps this will encourage those in power who peruse such services to have it decriminalized? That way our taxpayer money and their freedoms won't be in jeopardy.
Blessed Beltane!