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Beltane
"Bell-tain"
Southern Hemisphere Date: November 1st
Northern Hemisphere Date: May 1st
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This page includes links, you will find them below the activities list
Beltane marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, He desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God. Also celebrates the returning sun (or Sun God). Flower petals can be strewn about the circle and later swept into a pole and distributed around the perimeter of the house for protection. Spring primroses, violets, pansies and crocus are the flowers of choice. Irises, the sacred flower of the Rainbow Goddess, are said to bode a glorious summer if in bloom by beltane, and a rainbow on Beltane is a powerful mystic sign. Children (especially girls), born on Beltane, are the ‘children of the Goddess’ and children conceived on Beltane are said to have "luck and fortune beyond the world." "Womanhood" ceremonies, new business deals, real estate buying and other rites of passage are all for Beltane. Eating a pomegranate on Beltane is said to be in bad taste. Beltane marks the return of vitality, of passion and hopes consummated. Irish Gaelic for either "fires of Bel" or "bright fires."
This is the last Spring Fertility Festival. It is a time to dance around the maypole, which is a symbol of fertility. This festival celebrates the marriage and union of the Goddess and God and the reawakening of the earth's fertility at its fullest. The time of planting is finished and a time of waiting has begun. It is one of the two most importans sabbats of the year. Beltane is the compliment of Samhain. These are the times when the veil between the earth and the Otherworld is thinnest. At Samhain the Otherworld visits us, at Beltane we can visit the Otherworld.
All fires are extinguised on the eve of Beltane. All hearths are rekindled with a fresh flame (the Bel-fire) at sunrise. The rowan branch may be hung over the house on May Day to preserve the fire itself from bewitchment (the house fire being symbolic of the luck of the house). Jumping over the Belfire will promote fertility and prosperity. It is said that if you bathe in the dew of beltane morn, your beauty will flourish throughout the year. Wild water (dew, flowing streams, and springs) is collected on this day and used to bathe in or used to drink for health. Beltane literally means "fire of Bel" (Celtic God of light and fire.). May is a month of sensuality and sexuality revitalized, the reawakening of the earth and her children.
Other Names: Walpurgisnacht (vawl-PUR-gis-nahkt), May Day, Bealtaine, May Eve, Beltane pronouced in Gaelic is "bee-YAWL-tinnuh" or "BELL-tinnuh."
Correspondances
Colors: pink, white, green, soft pink, blue, yellow and red.
Foods: red fruits, herbal salads, red or pink wine punch and large round oatmeal or barley cake. Strawberries, cherries, passion fruit and kiwi too. Dairy such as marigold custard and vanilla ice cream, Oatmeal cakes and green salads. Basically a vegetarian holdiay. No meat unless spring chicken or the first fish of the season.
Incense: frankinsense, lilac and rose.
Deities: Flora, Diana and Artemis, Pan, and all fertility dieties.
Symbols: fire
Herbs: Honeysuckle, St. John's Wort, almond, angelica, ash tree, bluebells, daisy, frankincense, Hawthorn, Primrose, ivy, lilac, Marigold, wooddruf, Dandelion and apple tree
Candles: dark green.
Gemstones: emerald, orange carnelian, sapphire and rose quartz
Activities and Traditions
- Adults only or with adults help - maybe dangerous
- Ask permission from parents first
- Decorate home with bowls of flowers
- Nosegays (Small boquet of flowers) are placed on the doors of absolute strangers
- Dance around the Maypole
- Drinking wine (if your of age of course <G>)
- Parties!!!
- Decorate baskets with flowers and fruit to give as gifts
- Go out at sunrise and wash your face in the morning dew
- Build a small bonfire and jump over it to stimulate fertility of the body or the mind,or simply light a candle in your caudron and jump that. Be careful not to wear any loose clothes.
- Have an outdoor party with a May King and Queen. Let them preside over the celebration of Maypole Dancing, races, and games.
- Make garlands of flowers to decorate your home for this celebration
- Tie ribbons on the trees in your garden or select one special tree and decorate it with ribbons and tokens offered to the God and Goddes in honor of their union
- Make a flower crown and wear it, or hang it in a tree in your yard, or in a prominent place in your home.
- If you have a lover, celebrate this sabbat with a loving, responsible, safe, private Great Rite.
Beltane Rituals
*Choose the one that you like best and feel free to change it*
Links
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