This is the second most important Sabbat after Samhain, like Samhain it is an intercalary day when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest. Whereas Samhain is a time for greeting and celebrating the spirits, Beltane is a time when more mischievous spirits may take advantage. This is the festival of the fire god Bel or Baal, fires are lit at this time as a symbol of fertility. The Goddess takes on her robes as mother, the God descends to reign beside his queen and the marriage of the Goddess and God is celebrated. The God has pursued his mate all spring and it is on Beltane that she allows him to catch her, this is symbolised by the choosing of a May Queen and the dancing around the Maypole. Beltane is a common time for Handfastings for this reason.