01/05/2021
Beltane celebrates the return of summer.
Also known as May day, the Gaelic seasonal festival is most commonly held on the first day of May or about halfway between the spring equinox - Ostara and summer solstice - Litha.
It is the peak of spring and the coming of summer. The Earth energies are at their utmost vibrance. Nature is bloosoming with potent fertility. Intimate synchronisation of Life and Earth is at the peak. Fertility, renewal, growth and abundance are the theme of this point.
It is the time in the wheel of the year where life's connection with the Solar energy is celebrated. It is the great wedding of the God and the Goddess. The Sabbat brings to us a time to honour the sacred union of the Divine Masculine and Feminine.
Green man is the ancient spirit of Greenwood. He is the young Oak king - the May king.
May queen - the maiden Goddess of Spring is at her fullness at this point. The May king and the May queen fall in love with each other, and their divine union is consummated.
The May queen and the May king coming together symbolises the sacred union of Earth and Sky; and bloosoming of life.
Beltane brings to our awareness the recognition of the wilder side of our nature, leading us to accepting and appreciating our innermost attributes, and further encourages us to explore newer dimensions of life and transcend to higher possibilities. The prime focus is love, fertility, fire, passion, enthusiasm, vitality, vigor, new life, new beginnings. Now is the time to bring hopes and dreams into action; and evolve further.
Here are some simple ritual ideas to celebrate the greening of the earth during the fertility festival of Beltane :
Honouring Mother Earth :
β’ Acknowledge and welcome the fresh reviving energy of Mother Earth as the year proceeds towards summer. Imbibe her vibrant lushness by taking a walk in nature for 10 to 15 minutes, barefoot.
β’ Connect with Mother Earth, consciously with involved gardening. Feel the richness of the soil, the texture of the leaves, the firmess of the stems, the fragrance, the vibrations. Just perceive.
β’ Work with crystals that revebarate to the Beltane spirit. Green crystals like aventurine, jade, peridot, malachite, moss agate, dioptase, emerald amongst many other, relate to an optimistic outlook, the ability to discern, interplay of opposites, freedom; in a way all aspects of growth. Meditating on moonstone and sunstone together brings balance in masculine and feminine energies. Top off with rose quartz for unconditional love and increased receptivity.
Welcoming the Fire :
The word βBeltaneβ roughly translates as βbright fireβ.
Honour the fire element, and acknowledge the presence of fire within you.
Light a Beltane bonfire and absorb the energy. An alternative to that can be lighting organic candles, preferably in yellow, white or green and soaking up in the flame's warm glow for more fire qualities within yourself.
- Place two candles at abdominal level - one infront of you with the fire energy reaching the Solar Plexus chakra around the navel area and the other flame on your backside where the Fire energy directly reaches the lumber area of the spine. Let the energy flow towards you for a minimum of 7 minutes.
Let the power of the fire cleanse, heal, enhance your creativity and bring more vibrance and vitality in your life. On a spiritual level, a stable connection with the fire element is a means to set the atmosphere to communicate, to create more receptivity, to transcend limitations, and to touch deeper dimensions.
Sacred leap across the Beltane Fire:
Light a small bonfire and leap over to obtain Beltane blessings. If situations do not permit, you can use a broomstick instead to leap across. Broomsticks are often used as an alternative, which symbolises the sacred conjunction of masculine and feminine, marking the threshold between spring and summer. As the fire or broomstick is crossed, promises are made for the upcoming time.
Honouring the sacred wedding :
Beltane is interwoven with love. So we must embrace the loving energy of the Sabbat.
β’ Make a mini May Pole for your altar.
As in a May pole the greenary and flowers symbolises the Goddess and the theme pole - the God, accordingly you can choose the colours of ribbons and other decorative items for your May pole. Include flowers that correspond with the festive vibe, especially yellow May flowers as they evokes Fire and Earth energies.
β’ As the spirit of Beltane unites the masculine and the feminine to bring new life, honour the vibe of the festival by delving into your creative core. Craft a charm with flowers, beads, twines, ribbons, bright sea shells, crystals, whatever your imagination and creativity can conjure; and hang it up on a tree or a potted plant, or your front door. Afterall weaving and plaiting have always been the traditional arts at this time in the wheel of the year. Nurture and enhance the energy of love and creativity in your life.
Some of the correspondences that revebarate to the spirit of Beltane for altar decoration and celebration of the Fire festival :
Symbols : Fire, May poles, Oak leaves, God and Goddess figurines, Stag figurine as a symbol of the guardian of Greenwood, Wicker man, goats, rabbits, Faeries, Satyrs figurines.
Colours : Yellow, green, pink, white,
Flowers : Yellow flowers, daisies, tulips, violets, roses, lilac, dandelions, bluebells.
Herbs : Mint, dill, mugwort, coltsfoot, cowslip, lemon balm, rose, thyme, frankincense, marigold.
Scent : Woody and floral.
Celebrate this powerful time of the year to bring balance in the masculine and feminine energies;
Reclaim and reconnect with your own fire energy to enhance vitality, productivity, and richness. Afterall it's profoundness of experiences and impact of activities, are all that we are looking for.
Light up your spirit and rise!
Happy Beltane.