Beltane is the last day of the three springs fertility festivals, the other begin imbolc and Ostara. Takes place on may 1st its also called mayday Beltane has long been celebrated with feasts and rituals. The name means fire of Bel; belinos begin one name for the sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate. As Beltane marks this handfasting (wedding) of the Goddess and God, it too marks the reawakening of the earth's fertility in its fullest. Beltane, and it's counterpart Samhain, divide the year into two primary seasons, winter (dark part) and summer (light part).
As Samhain is about honoring Death, Beltane, its counterpart, is about honoring life. As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms & fae return.
Symbols of Beltane:
Flowers, Eggs, Chalice, May pole, Butter churn, Flowers chaplet, May basket, Wreaths, ribbons.
Herbs of Beltane:
Almond, Angelica, Damiana, Hawthorn, Hibiscus, Saffron, Ash tree, Bluebells, Cinquefoil, Daisy, Frankincense, Ivy, Lilac, Marsh marigold, Meadowsweet, Primrose, Roses, Satyrion root, Woodruff, Yellow cowslip, Yarrow.
Inscents of Beltane:
Angelica, Frankincense, Hawthorn, Lilac and rose, Passion flower, Patchouli, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Oak moss.
Colours of Beltane:
Green, White, Red, Yellow, Blue, purple & pink.
Stones of Beltane:
Sapphire, Bloodstone, Malachite, Garnet, Rose quartz, Emerald, Beryl,
Tourmaline.
Celebration:
Pole dancing to represent fertility. The maypole is an important element to Beltane festivities, it is a tall pole decorated with brightly colored ribbons, leaves, flowers and Wreaths.
Young maidens and lads each hold the end of a ribbon, and dance revolving around the base of the pole, intertwining the ribbons. The circle of dancers should begin, as far out from the pole as the length of ribbon allows, so the ribbons are taut. There should be an even number of boys & and girls. Boys should be facing clockwise and girls counterclockwise. They each move in the detection that they are facing, weaving with the next, around to braid the ribbon over and under around the pole. Those passing on the inside will have to duck, and those on the outside raise their ribbons to slide over. As the dancers revolve around the pole the ribbons will weave, creating a pattern, it is said that the pattern will indicate the abundance of the harvest year. It's also said the energy that is made from dancing around the pole goes into the ground to awaken/ warm the Earth.
Making a wreath for the top of the May pole.
The Bel fire is a sacred fire with healing and purification powers. The fire further celebrate the return of life, fruitfulness to the earth and the burning away of winter. The ashes of the Beltane fires where smudge on faces and scattered in the fields. Household fire would be extinguished and re~lit with fresh fire from the Bel fires.
Circling the fire three times (sun~wise) for good luck in the coming year.
Braiding hair with flowers throughout.
Feasting, music, drinking, to celebrate the God and Goddess getting married.
Children collect the may: gathering flowers. Flower Wreaths and garlands are topically decorated for this holiday, as well as ribbons and streamers. Flowers are a crucial symbol of Beltane, they signal the victory of summer over winter and blossoming of sensuality in all of nature and the bounty it will bring.
Maying is when young people spend the entire night in the woods.
May birching ~ it is said that young men fastened Garland and boughs on the windows and doors of the young maidens upon which their sweet interest laid. Mountain ash leaves and Hawthorn Branches meant indicated love whereas thorn meant disdain.
Bannocks are actually uncut scones originally cooked on a griddle. Wheat does not grow well in the highlands, originally bannocks where made with oats or barley flour made into dough with little water and no leaving, traditional, a portion of the cake was burned or marked with ashes. The recipient of the burnt cake jumped over a small fire three times to purify and cleanse him or herself of any I'll fortune. Offering of baandocks and drinks are traditionally left on doorsteps and roadways for the faeries as an offering, in hopes of faery blessings.
May morning is a magickal time for wild water (dew, flowing steams, and springs) which is collected and used to bath in for beauty, or to drink for health.
Beltane is one the three "spirit night" of the year when the faeries can be seen. At dusk, twist a rowan sprig into a ring and look through it, you may see them.
