Beltane

May 1

The word ‘Beltane’ derives from the Celtic god Belenus or ‘Bel’, meaning ‘the bright one’ and the Gaelic word ‘teine’ meaning ‘fire.’ Together they make the word ‘Bright Fire.’ On the eve of Beltane, bonfires were lit to honor the Sun. People jumped the fire to cleanse themselves of bad luck or negative energy and to bring fertility. Couples jumped the fire as a form of handfasting.  

Beltane represents the height of Spring and the approaching of Summer. Nature is bursting with fertility. So, the theme of Beltane is the celebration of joy and the sexual nature of life. The Goddess of Spring (also goes by the name; the May Queen or the May Bride) and her consort the Young Oak King or May King, personified as the Green Man, consummate their union. The May Queen and King are symbols of the Sacred Marriage (or Hieros Gamos). For centuries humans have re-enacted the union of Earth and Sky in such rites as the ‘Greenwood Marriage.’ 

A popular image of Beltane is a celebratory ribbon pole. Which symbolize the divine union of male and female. Often made from birch, the pole represents the potency of the God while the ring of flowers and ribbons at the top of the maypole represents the receptive fertile Goddess. The colorful ribbons, the traditional weaving, and circular dance symbolizes the spiral of Life and the union of God and Goddess, of Earth and Sky.   

Beltane is also a day where the veil between the worlds grows thin. It is said that on Beltane, it is easier to communicate with the faery folk.

For Beltane, light some candles if you can’t make a bonfire to honor the Sun. You can do some divination (card reading, scrying, etc.) Honor the faeries by; leaving out an offering, donating to an animal or nature charity, picking up trash (at a park, beach or mountain trail), or spending time with your pets and houseplants. You can also make a miniature maypole (a wooden stick with ribbons) if there isn’t a maypole you can access.

🌼The Maypole🌼

☀️What is a maypole?☀️

The maypole dance takes part on May 1st for Beltane. This is a form of folk dance of an ancient Germanic pagan ritual. It involves moving in circles under a poll to wrap ribbons around it, symbolizing fertility and the start of spring. Traditionally, the women take the white ribbons with their right sides to the pole, and the men take the red ribbons with their left sides to the pole, representing fertility and the birth canal. Many other colors are used, and sometimes only females take part, The weaving of the symbolic birth canal (some believe that instead of a birth canal, it is a phallic symbol, which is why some dances are preformed by mostly women) begins with music or chanting as everyone moves forward from where they stand, moving alternately over and under each person coming toward them. (Traditionally, the men begin weaving under the upheld ribbon of the first woman they encounter).

🌷What attire should I wear?🌷 People who dance around the maypole typically dress in white so that their ribbons and scarves, that were brightly colored, stood out. The flowers wreaths are symbolic of spring, and they also decided to dance barefoot to connect to the earth better.  🌼How do I use the maypole?🌼 Typically, people go in opposite circles around the maypole, skipping or jogging to the beat of the music or chant. Continue the dance until the maypole is wrapped. There is no right way to wrap a maypole.  Tie off your ribbons and let the wreath drop to the ground when you are done. Many wear bells when dancing the May dance.  The point is that Beltane is all about joining both female and male energy. 

🌸Maypole chant:🌸 We are the flow and we are the ebb We are the weavers, we are the web We are the needle, we are the thread We are the witches, back from the dead Weavers, weavers, We are weaving the web of life. Weave, weave, weave me a rainbow Out of the falling rain. Weave me the hope of a new tomorrow. Fill my cup again Lady, weave Your circle tight With a web of living light Earth and Air and Fire and Water Bind us to you. ✨Have a blessed Beltane!✨

BELTANE

when it is, ideas to do, the hellenic version and how to celebrate whilst in lockdown

When does it occur?

What does it celebrate ?

What crystals are important ?

What to decorate your alter with?

What activities can I do in lockdown?

What spells and rituals should i perform?

What Hellenic Gods are sacred today?

What are some Hellenic things to do?

I hope you find this helpful! What are your plans for this Beltane in lockdown?

Ah this post is wonderful <3 

Poem for Sabbats

Samhain begins the witches’ new year, and now Winter soon is here; the leaves fall, the harvest is done, so call your ancestors and let’s have some fun. 

Yule is the longest night, and signals the return of light. Everything is newly remade, and we wait for darkness to fade.

Imbolc we clean, cleanse and prepare for what the Spring may come to bear. Light the candles, light the fire, and build in yourself what does inspire. 

Ostara comes and Spring growth arrives, and all the Earth is truly alive. Winter is over and in it’s stead we bless our homes and our covensteads. 

Beltane, the fine May eve, we thank our gods for fertility. Bless the growing harvest and romance as we eat, drink, sing, and dance.

Litha is the longest day, the sun at it’s brightest but soon will fade. The Earth’s bounty is at it’s top, and abundance aids our spells nonstop. 

Lughnasadh, Lammas, both names are fine, herald the advent of harvest time. When fear and uncertainty are about, we ward our homes and both in and out. 

Mabon is a balance of seasons, where darkness and light remain within reason. The last harvest is called and the Summer is done, we give our thanks and farewell the sun. 

As every cycle begins once again, the wheel spins ‘round and we greet grandly Samhain.

Requested by @fish-egs. Thank you! :)

💐🌺A Happy and Blessed Beltane to those who celebrate! 🌺💐

May your friends be close and your hearth warm ❤️

Blessed Beltane Everyone!!

Traditions of Beltane: oatmeal

I’m reading this Wikipedia page and I’m finding some really cute, simple things to do for Beltane.

I don’t have the means of making a bonfire, as I live in a suburb.

It’s also been too damn cold to grow any flowers yet this year.

So what I’m going to do is make some of these traditional foods:

You can also offer some milk to the fae.

Dew is also a very important aspect of Beltane:

If, however, you do have access to some flowers, make sure they are yellow! Yellow flowers like rowan, primrose, and marigolds are associated with fire. 

Beltane on the way

What to do, what to do

I wanted to do so much and then.. no. :( 

The weather was so bad today ugh.