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Beltane…The Festival of Love…The Dance of Life
The ancient Gaelic Festival of Beltane will awaken on May 1, heralding a time of magick, passion and renewal. With its roots deeply planted in Celtic traditions, Beltane is embraced by many modern pagans and witches as a time to honor the earth and the cycles of nature, of growth and of connectivity. The festival will officially begin on April 30th at sundown when the sacred fires of Beltane blaze once more, marking the vibrant midpoint between spring equinox and summer solstice. As the Wheel of the Year turns, Beltane stands opposite Samhain, marking the division between summer and winter, just as Ostara and Mabon separate the light and dark halves of the year. On this day, the veils thin and the faeries roam freely; it is a time for lovers' whispers, beauty rites, and secret meetings with the unseen ones. Sacred wells and shimmering ponds became portals to the Otherworld, offering visions and blessings to those willing to peer beyond the veil. Beltane is the third and most potent of the Spring Festivals.
As the sun’s power rises, Beltane weaves the sacred union of the Goddess and the God. Their divine alchemy stirs the fires of life inviting us to honor the sacred marriage of light and dark, masculine and feminine, body and spirit. Traditionally, Beltane became a time for a handfasting, with lovers blessing the earth while pledging themselves to one another. Around the vibrant Maypole, dancers wove colorful ribbons, weaving together the energies of the divine feminine and masculine in joyful harmony…because at Its heart the sabbat is a celebration of passion, pleasure, and life force itself.
Lighting fires was a central custom at Beltane. Traditionally, a Beltane fire was built using the nine sacred woods of the Celts. On Beltane Eve, all hearth fires were extinguished and rekindled the next day from the sacred "need fires" lit especially for the festival. Whether alone or entwined with another, dancing beneath the Beltane fires awakens your spirit to the wild rhythms of spring and the magick of transformation.
Now, in this sacred space between seasons, may you dance with the faeries, weave dreams into reality, and awaken your heart, spirit, and soul to the sacred fire of life."
Blessed Beltane!
Celebrating Beltane
If you live near water, make a garland of spring flowers, and cast it into the ocean, stream, lake, or river to honor the water spirits. Leave some treats for the Faeries Maypole dancing: This traditional dance symbolizes the union of the masculine and feminine. Bonfires: Bonfires are lit to purify and celebrate the season. Jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck Love rituals: Perform rituals for love, passion, and fertility. Decorating with flowers: Use flowers, especially hawthorn and roses, to decorate your home.
Symbols of Beltane
Flowers & Plants
Roses, bluebells, marigolds, daisies, primroses, violets, hawthorn, birch trees, daisies, ivy, and lilac are all associated with Beltane.
Altar
Adorn with seasonal flowers, mirrors, deity statues red and white candles to encourage love and magick.
Goddesses
Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Astarte, Venus, Diana, Ariel, Skadi, Sheela-na-gig, Cybele, Xochiquetzal, Freya, and Rhiannon.
Gods
Apollo, Bacchus, Bel/Belanos, Cernunnos, Pan, Cupid/Eros, Odin, Orion, and The Great Horned God.
Crystals
Crystals are a great way to get in touch with the faeries, especially amethysts! Basically, any stone associated with the third eye chakra which is used to tap into otherworldly realms! Other choices include sapphire, bloodstone, emerald, carnelian and rose quartz.
Food
Cheese, eggs, custards,, breads, sweets of all kinds, honey, oatcakes, strawberries greens and more.
