The Fire Of Beltane
The lusty spring winds blow ushering in the promise of new life rising out of the darkness. The Goddess takes a deep breath and the natural world wakes up from its slumber. Beltane falls on May 1st and celebrates the spring. The Goddess manifests as the May Queen. The God emerges as the May King. The May Queen and King dance the Maypole to celebrate the Sacred Marriage or The Great Rite. Beltane is a festival of flowers, fertility, sensuality, romance, purification and sexuality.
As the first of the fire festivals, Beltane is celebrated with bonfires throughout the lands. In olden times, bonfires were built on the hills and animals were run through the maze of bonfires for the purpose of purification and blessings of fertility. The sacred ashes from the Beltane fires were brought home to light the hearth fire, ensuring happiness, health, fertility and other blessings for the year to come.
There is a closeness to the realm of faery as they join us in celebration. You may glimpse the dryads in the bark of the trees, see the sprites as they colorfully dance across the lakes and streams. Pixies lay in wait with their magick dust as unsuspecting mortals wander the moors in the shadow of Beltane.
It is a magickal season of enchantments, some for good and some for ill. A wise mortal will offer a blessing or a gift to the fae this time of year. The fae may bestow blessings upon you of visions, prophetic dreams or good fortune. Always be wary when you travel the hidden paths to the other realms, not all faeries are friendly. The will o’ wisp will lead the unexpected traveler astray.
A few simple and safe ways to honor the spirit of Beltane; light a candle or a bonfire, cleanse your home with sage and lavender, enjoy a hike in the woods, make a floral wreath for your hair, a springtime wreath to hang on your door or create space in your garden for faery guests.
The Nine Woods of Beltane
“Nine woods in the Cauldron go,
burn them quick a' burn them slow.
Elder be ye Lady's tree;
burn it not or cursed ye'll be.”
Birch to celebrate new beginnings
Rowan for protection against enchantments
Ash to travel between the realms
Alder for building strong foundations
Willow for intuition and fertility
Hawthorn is the faery tree and represents the sacred marriage of Goddess and God
Oak lends stability as you cross the threshold into the deeper mysteries
Holly burns the hottest and encourages action
Hazel is the grail of innocence, the chalice of love and the seeker of wisdom
