Beltane, or Bealtaine, is the Gaelic May Day festival marking the start of summer, traditionally celebrated on May 1 in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. It is one of the four main Gaelic seasonal festivals, alongside Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh. Historically, Beltane involved rituals to protect livestock, people, and crops, often using symbolic bonfires whose flames, smoke, and ashes were believed to have protective powers. Cattle were driven between fires, homes decorated with yellow May flowers, and offerings made to the aos sí. Modern revivals continue as cultural events and in Celtic-inspired neopagan and Wiccan traditions. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltane#:~:text=It is one of the,bring beauty and maintain youthfulness.

From May 8–17, the evening sky highlights brilliant Venus in the west-northwest, forming shifting patterns with Beta and Zeta Tauri, while Jupiter shines high to its upper left in Gemini. The waning Moon passes through Capricornus, then guides observers toward Saturn and Mars in the eastern dawn. Arcturus, Vega, and Capella create bright seasonal markers, and spring constellations like Leo, Draco, and Coma Berenices dominate the night. Jupiter’s moons offer transits and visual tricks, and Venus and Jupiter steadily draw closer for a June conjunction. Mercury, Uranus, and Neptune remain hidden near the Sun. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-may-8-17/

The week begins with sunny and hot conditions. Sunday will have plenty of sunshine, with a high of 90°F and light southwest winds. Nights remain mostly clear with lows around 56°F. Monday through Tuesday continues mostly sunny, with highs rising to 96–97°F and lows near 57–58°F, with winds from the south to southwest between 5–15 mph. By Wednesday, temperatures cool to the upper 80s, with a few afternoon clouds and slightly breezier conditions. Thursday is sunny and 87°F, followed by a gradual cooling trend into Friday and Saturday, with highs in the upper 70s and partly cloudy nights in the low 50s. https://www.kcra.com/weather

The week begins with intervals of sun and clouds on Sunday, reaching a high of 72°F and a low of 52°F, with light SSW winds. Monday brings mostly cloudy skies and a slight chance of sprinkles, peaking at 70°F and dipping to 53°F overnight. Tuesday sees a mix of sun and clouds, followed by partly cloudy nights, with highs around 73°F. By midweek, conditions improve to mostly sunny and warm, climbing to 80°F on Wednesday. The latter half of the week remains partly cloudy, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s, and a 40% chance of showers Friday night. https://www.kcra.com/weather

From May 1–9, the night sky offers striking views for observers. A full Moon rises in Libra on May 1, with Spica and Arcturus nearby. Venus dominates the western twilight sky, shining above Aldebaran and the Pleiades, while Saturn and Mars grow farther apart in the brightening dawn. The Great Diamond and Spring Triangle asterisms appear in the southeast, and the Summer Triangle begins to rise in the northeast. Jupiter shines in Gemini, hosting rare Callisto transits, while the Eta Aquariid meteors peak under moonlight. Observers can trace Hydra and Leo’s paths, enjoy binocular views of Coma Berenices, and watch Venus approach Beta Tauri by May 8. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-may-1-9-3/

May 2026 will feature a rare celestial event with two full moons, making it one of 13 full moons this year instead of the usual 12. The first, the Flower Moon, peaks on May 1 at 1:23 p.m. EDT, reflecting the bloom of spring. The second, a blue moon, rises on May 31 at 4:45 a.m. EDT, earning its name for being the month’s second full moon, not its color. This blue moon is also a micromoon, appearing slightly smaller and dimmer due to its distance from Earth. Such double full moons occur only every few years. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/2-full-moons-will-light-up-may-2026-including-a-rare-blue-moon/1885882

The week’s weather begins with partly sunny skies on Sunday, followed by mostly clear night conditions with lows near 48°F and light southern winds. Monday stays partly sunny with highs around 72°F, and the night brings partial clouds near 49°F. Tuesday through Wednesday feature a mix of sun and clouds, with highs in the mid-70s and light variable winds. Nights remain clear or partly cloudy with lows around 51°F. Thursday warms to about 85°F with mostly sunny skies, while Friday and Saturday hover near 78°F with generally sunny or partly cloudy conditions and light southern breezes. https://www.kcra.com/weather

NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flyby in 50 years, ended just days before Earth Day 2026, offering a rare and awe-inspiring perspective of our planet. Over a nearly 10-day journey, four astronauts traveled farther from Earth than any humans before, capturing stunning images from deep space. Astronaut Christina Koch shared a poetic reflection on Instagram, emphasizing the fragility and unity of life on Earth. The crew’s photographs, taken after specialized training, highlight the planet’s smallness and beauty, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of conservation and celebrating Earth Day’s mission to protect our home. https://www.accuweather.com/en/space-news/earth-day-2026-see-the-breathtaking-photos-artemis-ii-astronauts-took-of-earth/1884367

This week’s night sky offers a series of celestial events from April 24 to May 3. The Big Dipper’s Pointers reach high in the north, with Leo crossing the southern meridian. On April 25, the Moon occults Regulus for much of North America. Venus forms striking alignments with the Pleiades and Aldebaran, while Jupiter and its moons offer dynamic telescopic views, including transits and the Great Red Spot. The waxing Moon passes Spica and Corvus, while May Eve highlights seasonal lore. Early mornings reveal Saturn and Mars separating, and by May 3, Vega heralds the Summer Triangle’s slow rise in the east. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-april-24-may-3/

Humans have decorated eggs for thousands of years, from ancient carved ostrich eggs to Ancient Egyptian and Zoroastrian spring festivals, where painted eggs symbolized life and renewal. The Christian association with Easter emerged from legends like Mary Magdalene presenting a red egg to Emperor Tiberius, with eggs later blessed in Catholic rituals. During Lent, eggs were often avoided, making them plentiful for Easter feasts. German traditions of the egg-laying Easter hare inspired hunts that spread across Europe and into Victorian culture. In the 19th century, hollow chocolate eggs appeared, culminating in iconic creations like Fabergé’s jeweled eggs. https://www.gethistories.com/p/a-history-of-easter-eggs