Every Queen needs a loyal cast of companions, and at Beltane Fire Festival they come in the form of the Whites. They match her fierce love for the Earth with their enduring devotion to her, protecting her as she makes her transitional journey around Calton Hill.

Always in step just behind the May Queen, the Whites protect the procession that follows Her from any obstruction that may come its way. Under their watchful eye, the May Queen is free to move the wheel of time forward and revitalise the Green Man in a dance and vortex of energies that will bring back Summer. The Whites are the backbone of the festival, whose energy grows out of their resilience.

Each White is united by their shared inner strength that helps them face the challenges that crop up in life. Their ferocity is an internal fire that lights the way through hard times. By overcoming obstacles the Whites have grown, and now they are ready to assist others in doing the same.

Not aggressive by nature, the Whites do not seek battle, but they are prepared to protect what they hold dear. They will defend their flock, the procession and the May Queen, with the strength and confidence they have found in themselves.

The Whites’ desire is set alight when they encounter the Reds but, as an extension of the May Queen’s will and love, they refuse to succumb to that want until the ritual is complete and their duty fulfilled. Their relationship with their opposite, the anarchic and impulsive Reds, is a reflection of the love that grows between the May Queen and the Green Man and brings about Summer’s return.

Tickets for Beltane Fire Festival are available to buy online from Citizen Ticket. Join the Facebook event here.