Blog Article

Beltane

Beltane, also known as May Day, is one of the four main festivals or quarters on the Wheel of the Year. It marks the first day of summer, the time when the Fae venture forth from their wild places, and the fertility of the fields is celebrated. During this time we revel in the warmth of the sunshine as well as the growth, vitality, and fertility that it promises.

Beltane acts as the summer gateway to winter’s beginning at Samhain - both festivals are seen as times when the veil between the worlds is particularly thin. While Samhain emphasizes connection with our ancestors, especially those recently departed, Beltane is often seen as a festival of connecting with the Fae and the natural world. During this time we celebrate pleasure and joy, especially as we experience it through the sacredness of our physical form, relishing in our humanity and the ephemeral moments of connection, as well as remembering our connections with the spirits of the land. This festival honors the union of Mother Earth and the Greenman so that we may be blessed with hearty weather and fertile land. While some cultures recognize the Greenman as the Celtic horned god Cernunnos, pagan pantheons are numerous, so Beltane can be celebrated regardless of which fertility deities you choose to work with.

Ultimately Beltane is about honoring the light half of the year and rejoicing in warmth, passion, fertility, and all of the earth’s blessings. It is a form of veneration of the warm sun, positivity, radiance, and abundance.

There are many rituals and ways that you can celebrate Beltane, here are a few ideas that you can incorporate into your magical practice. There is no need to do everything, take what feels good to you and leave the rest. And if all you do is step outside and breathe in the air and acknowledge the day, you have done enough.

Set up an altar.

Set up a Beltane altar and fill it with the symbols of this special season. Think springtime (with lots of greenery) and things that represent fertility, rebirth, and awakening.

• Flowers — Flowers are a symbol of Beltane as they represent growth, fertility, and renewal. If you can’t get your hands on any fresh flowers, incorporate flowers into your altar design with silk flowers or pictures.
• Candles — Honor the tradition of fire and light some candles on your altar. For Beltane, try to find candles in spring colors (pink, yellow) or floral scents (like rose or lavender).
• Colors — Red, green, yellow/gold are all good colors to use for your altar. Green is especially perfect for this time as it represents growth and renewal. Red is good symbolizing fire and passion. Gold is symbolic of the sun—a central theme for this Sabbat.
• Symbols — The Maypole is another common symbol for Beltane and can be represented by drawing it on your altar cloth or creating your own mini replica.

Celebrate love in all its forms.

Beltane is a festival tied to love in all of its forms. Romantic love, platonic love, love between family and friends. All the love! Make space in your ritual celebrations to honor and celebrate the many forms that love takes. It can be a very sweet practice whether as a family or on your own to offer up what love you’re celebrating and are grateful for as well as the ways you’re going to keep nurturing and growing that love.

Give tokens of love.

Creating and giving tokens of affection to those we love is a sweet and simple way to celebrate the energy of the season. These little objects of love are also simple charms of connection and protection to whoever you’re giving them to, Beltane is about seeing and being seen in all the ways we love.

Have a bonfire.

For centuries, people have gathered together to celebrate the festival of fire. What better way to celebrate than with a beautiful nighttime flame? You can also create a fun and festive atmosphere with your own bonfire.

Dance, jump, and make merry!

Jump over bonfires and brooms for blessings of luck and protection all summer long, and if you have a maypole, you are weaving magic imbued with love and friendship. You can harness the energy of a maypole without one by making ribbon wind catchers and hanging them where the wind will fuel the magic, It’s traditional to bless cattle by steering them between two bonfires, but we can bless ourselves by doing the same.

Cast spells and rituals for creativity.

Beltane is more than just a festival celebrating love, it is also a time of flaming the fires of creative potential. So rituals and spells to nurture our creativity can be woven throughout the magic of the day. You can focus on the fire aspect of the Beltane by creating a ritual full of candle and flame for sparking creative desire or call upon the elements to help you find your creative flow in all areas of your life. It can be a good day as well to bless all of the tools you use for your creative endeavors.

Gather Flowers.

For Beltane, the blossoms of spring have begun to fill the world with their scent. Decorate your home with fresh flowers and greenery, especially hawthorn, roses or rowan. Fill your ritual space with fragrant blossoms, and use them as crowns or garlands for yourself and others who are part of your celebration. Give thanks to Mother Nature for her blessings.

Fae Offerings

If you practice with the fae, then you may want to consider leaving an offering as part of your traditions. Beltane blessings are extremely important to the fae because they follow the seasonal shifts in nature more closely than we do nowadays.

Beltane is a time to celebrate and embrace new beginnings. Whether you are celebrating with family, a partner, or on your own, take the time to honor the sacred feminine and the fertility of the earth.