celebrating beltane: what, when, where, why & how.

If you are new to 'The Wheel of The Year', then it may seem a little overwhelming, as there are eight festivals during the year to get one's head around. Do not fret, as I am here to help you with the navigating of it all. I will help you by breaking it down. In this blog post I will focus on this fire festival, Beltane.

what is beltane?

Beltane, or also known as 'May Day', is a fire festival celebrated at the midway point of spring equinox and summer solstice. It brings us an energy of fire, passion, action, warmth, and unions of some kind. Many practitioners believe that the name of Beltane comes from the 'fires of Bel", which is associated with the Celtic sun god called Belenus.

when is it celebrated?

Traditionally, Beltane is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on April 30th and May 1st. In the southern hemisphere, it is celebrated on October 31st and November 1st. When one hemisphere celebrates Beltane, the other celebrates Samhain. For both, the veil to the spiritual world is at one of it's thinnest times of the year. This means that we can connect to the spirit realm a lot easier. They can also contact us a lot easier.

It brings us an energy of fire, passion, action, warmth, and unions of some kind.

where is it celebrated?

All over the world, Witches, Wiccans, Druids, and other Pagans across America, Canada, Europe, Australia and elsewhere, recognise and celebrate Beltane.

why is it celebrated?

"For our ancestors, Beltane ushered in the beginning of the summer season, especially regarding the care of livestock. Therefore many Beltane celebrations often included bonfire ceremonies where livestock would be ushered in between two fires to ensure a successful season. Love, passion, and unions were also a prominent part of this celebration. It was common for there to be a surge in marriage announcements, pregnancies, and passion-filled unions during Beltane." - Understanding The Wheel Of The Year by Cassie Uhl.

We celebrate because the sun god has taken over with his passionate, warm, and thriving energy. The triple goddess is in her maiden form, who has united with the horn god. They are bringing new life to earth. We celebrate for the amazing gifts that the earth gives us. We are thankful for Mother Nature's gifts.

how can I celebrate it?

Suggested ways to celebrate Beltane:

• Work on completing your projects & goals.

• Practice divination.

• Nourish your senses by connecting with the beauty around you.

• Work on your solar plexus & sacral chakras.

• Reflect in your journal.

• Explore your sensuality.

• Make love to your lover (or pleasure yourself).

• Wear floral outfits.

• Connect with a fertility and/or beauty goddess.

• Perform manifesting, love, protection and fertility spells.

• Create a hydrating rose water beauty body spray.

• Collect fresh herbs for consuming from your garden or a market.

• Get married or make a commitment to someone.

• Try to conceive a baby (if you have plans with your partner to do this).

• Go to a bonfire or hold a bonfire with family/friends.

• Light a candle to symbolise the sun god and his blessings.

• Create amulets made with Beltane crystals (see below) & gift to family/friends.

magickal tools and items that represent beltane.

Food and Drink

• Fresh Herbs

• Oats

• Dairy (or dairy substitutes)

• Spicy Foods

• Wine

• Vanilla Flavoured Foods

• Fairy Cakes

• Ice Cream

• Sweet Breads

• Flower Flavoured Drinks

• Strawberries

• Oysters

Crystals

• Carnelian

• Ruby

• Garnet

• Orange Calcite

• Onyx

• Black Tourmaline

• Pink Tourmaline

• Beryl

• Pink Angel Aura Quartz

• Clear Quartz

• Sunstone

• Rose Quartz

• Emerald

Herbs & Flowers

• Lilac

• Thistle

• Flaxseed

• Paprika

• Daffodils

• Rowan

• Lilac

• Honeysuckle

• Angelica

• Hawthorn

Incense

• Floral (as above)

• Peach

• Rose

• Vanilla

• Jasmine

Altar Items

• Altar cloth (colour associated with Ostara or white)

• Candles (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green)

• Crystals (Suggestions above)

• Triple Goddess Statue (or chosen Goddess representations)

• Ribbon (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green)

• Picture of the Sun & Moon (Moon Phase below)

• Maypole

• Incense (Suggestions above)

• Runes (Suggestions below)

• Flowers (Suggestions above) or potted plant/s (suggestions above)

• Symbols representing fertility

• Goddess/God offerings (research what each like or offer food that you have created)

Beltane Correspondents

Moon Phase: Waxing Gibbous Moon

Element: Earth

Zodiac: Taurus

Runes: Berkana, Uruz, Algız, Ehwaz, Raidho

This may look and feel like a lot of information, and may feel overwhelming. My suggestion is to take one or two things that resonate with you and apply it to your first celebration. You may find that your intuition will guide you anyway. After all, our bodies are connected with the cycle of Mother Nature herself.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog post. I hope it was helpful to you. Please feel free to share and like it if you liked it.

RESOURCES:

• 'Wicca' by Harmony Nice

• 'The Complete Grimoire' by Lidia Pradas

• 'Understanding The Wheel Of The Year: Your Handbook To Honoring The Eight Seasonal Celebrations' by Cassie Uhl

Do you celebrate Beltane? How will you be celebrating it? Let me know in the comments below.

Blessed be

Cassie xx

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