May Day - Beltane
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April 30-May 1
Overview:
The trees are blooming, the birds are building their nests and looking for love, and earth is coming alive! We are midway between spring equinox - Ostara and the summer solstice - Litha. It is the official start of Summer! This is a time to celebrate. This sabbat is a season of love, sexuality, beauty, and manifestation, when God and Goddess come together.
Common Traditions:
Beltane is a time to celebrate the union of the goddess and god, and the fertility of the land. It is a time of renewal and growth, as the earth awakens from its winter slumber and bursts into bloom. Many traditions involve the lighting of bonfires, which were believed to have protective and purifying properties. Dancing around the Maypole, which symbolizes the union of the goddess and god, is also a common tradition.
Now is the time to reconnect with nature and embrace our role in it. The world around us is humming with life and color. Beltane is a holiday of color, boldness, flirtation, and sensuality. Take a nature walk, picnic on a blanket under the oak trees, get a haircut, layout in the sun naked for 10 minutes each morning - whatever helps you shake off the last bits of winter.
Fire is commonly part of Beltane celebrations, but not my favorite. I like to focus on the magick of flowers and water. Go crazy with flowers! Garlands, crowns, bouquets, in your drinks and on your food. Do you remember as a kid leaving paper cones filled with flowers on your neighbor’s doors? That’s the energy of Beltane.
Now is a great time to place charms upon your beauty produces, or craft your own from botanicals, turning them into glamor elixirs. Make a charm to wear or place in a wallet to aid you in manifesting your goals and desires. Carnelian is an excellent choice to wear to boost sexual power. Or place it under the bed or on the nightstand to bring a more passionate energy to the space. Make an orange and rose infused vinegar to clean mirrors with, allowing you to see not only your outer beauty but also the beauty that resides within.
Put away anything having to do with Winter - heavy blankets, clothes, seasonal decorations. Pack them with sachets of clove, rosemary, and thyme.
Colors:
Red, white, lush greens, blues
Plants/Herbs:
Wild violets, oak trees, dandelion, birch trees, local spring wildflowers, forsythia, crocus, tulips, rowan trees, hawthorn trees, mint, dill, and rosemary
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Animals:
Stag, deer, rabbits, frogs, bees, butterflies, cows, bats
Ideas to Celebrate:
Dew baths and ritual bathing are a great way to cleanse and purify yourself and at Beltane they are extra potent - preserving youth, enhancing beauty, and building sensuality.
Decorate your home with fresh flowers and greenery to honor the fertility of the land.
Create a Maypole by wrapping ribbons around a tall pole and dance around it with friends and loved ones.
Light a bonfire and jump over the flames for purification and protection.
Make a flower crown or garland to wear during celebrations.
Go for a nature walk and gather wildflowers to create a beautiful bouquet.
Perform a ritual or spell to honor the union of the goddess and god and to bring fertility to your own life. Try a Beltane Ritual for Solitary Witches.
Have a feast with friends and family, featuring fresh, seasonal foods such as asparagus, lettuce, and strawberries.
Enjoy a picnic in a beautiful outdoor setting, surrounded by nature.
Spring clean, let go of things that no longer serve you, and make space for new growth and opportunities in your life.
Make a flower focused craft and imbue it with magick.
Pack a picnic, make some flower cookies, enjoy a light salad of fresh micro greens.
Beltane is a time to celebrate the beauty and fertility of the earth and to honor the union of the goddess and god. It is a time of new beginnings and growth, and is the perfect opportunity to connect with nature, friends, and loved ones. Let the energy of Beltane inspire you to embrace new opportunities and to celebrate the beauty of life.
A Poem For Beltane
Beltane, the fire festival,
A time of passion, of renewal, of festival
The earth awakens, the flowers bloom
Nature's beauty, a sight to consume
The fire burns bright, the drums beat loud
As we dance and sing, our spirits lift, unbound
The magic of the season, it's in the air
A time for love, for joy, without a care
The days are long, the sun is high
Nature's power, a sight to spy
The fields are green, the flowers bloom
A symphony of scent, of color, in the room
Beltane, a time of celebration
For all that we have, all that is good
We give thanks for the blessings bestowed
And look forward to the path ahead, unrolled
So let us gather, let us sing
In celebration of the changing of things
Beltane, a time of passion and peace
May it bring you joy, love, and release.
