Those dreary vows that ev'ryone takes, Ev'ryone breaks. Some of these customs seem virtually identical to the old Roman feast of flowers, the Floriala, three days of unrestrained sexuality which began at sundown April 28th and reached a crescendo on May 1st. By the way, due to various calendrical changes down through the centuries, the traditional date of Beltane is not the same as its astrological date. This date, like all astronomically determined dates, may vary by a day or two depending on the year. However, it may be calculated easily enough by determining the date on which the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus.
Some Covens prefer to celebrate on the old date and, at the very least, it gives one options.
This may also be a consideration for Covens that need to organize activities around the week-end. Christians have adopted the same iconography to represent the four gospel- writers. But for most, it is May 1st that is the great holiday of flowers, Maypoles, and greenwood frivolity. And those who ancient lines did ley Will heed this song that calls them back.