On May 1st we are celebrating the calendar date of Beltane (Beltaine) - the cross-quarter day and sacred fire festival. Beltane was regarded by the Celts as the beginning of summer when nature starts to bloom in the northern hemisphere, and there is an unfolding of beauty through the abundance of light. While Beltane is celebrated on May 1st by many, true Beltane is based on celestial events. Solar Beltane (or true Beltane) takes place on May 6th, when the sun reaches 15 degrees in Taurus, and Lunar Beltane, which takes place at the Full Moon in Scorpio on May 5th.
Beltane is one of the High Holidays in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, celebrated right at the mid-point between Spring Equinox (Ostara) and Summer Solstice (Midsummer). It is believed that during this time the connection between the human and the mystical Otherworld becomes stronger (or the veil between them, thinner), which invites us to explore the realms of our spirit and engage with the magic that is all around us in a much deeper level.
At the same time, we are finding ourselves in an eclipse portal that began with the Solar eclipse at the New Moon in Aries on April 20th. During this eclipse season the energy tends to be very powerful and chaotic, so if you have been feeling overwhelmed, please know that it is normal. Eclipses shed light onto the shadows, revealing to us the inner work that is being asked for focus. Take your time and focus on your energy, feelings, emotions, and thoughts. This is the right period to spend time listening to your soul and letting go of outer distractions. We will be closing the portal on May 5th with a Lunar eclipse, a day before the Solar Beltane.
During this portal and around the High Holiday of Beltane, the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine are in focus, as the Beltane festival has always been about the sacred rites of the Masculine and Feminine uniting as one. Their sacred union facilitates the revival and bloom of nature, honoring the fertility of the land and balancing these two energies as we call in abundance.
There are numerous ways to celebrate Beltane. While this festival is often celebrated in community connected to the union of masculine and feminine, we also have these aspects within ourselves. Here you are encouraged to connect to the energy of Beltane and nurture your relationship to Self, and the connection to your own divine masculine & feminine aspects.
Light a fire (or even just a candle) on May 1st (or May 5th/6th 2023) and visualize it as both purification and celebratory. In some rituals, the Celts even lit two fires - one for purification and one for fertility. When you light your fire, visualize the flame both cleansing and purifying your energy, then you can visualize the flame connecting to your center for creativity (2nd Chakra space).
Dancing around the Maypole is a popular Beltane tradition. The Maypole is a tall pole decorated with flowers, ribbons, and other symbols of spring. People hold onto the ribbons and dance around the pole in a clockwise direction, weaving in and out of each other's steps.
Beltane is a time to celebrate the beauty of spring and the new growth that it brings. Flower crowns and garlands are often worn during celebrations, and the air is filled with the scent of blooming flowers. Consider crafting for yourself a bouquet for your altar, or make for yourself a flower crown.
Take your time and in the form of a written letter, write to yourself and express what you appreciate about the feminine and masculine aspects within you.
Once your love letter is written, you can jump with it over the Beltane fire, and consider if it feels right to burn it. Jumping over the fire is a symbol of your commitment to your love, while burning the letter is a way of spreading your love and sharing it with the spirit world.
Regardless of where and how you are celebrating Beltane, connect to the fire within - and its ability to help you in your creation efforts. While this time of year can be very “out in the world” allow the fire within to help ignite your gifts and share them.
If you wish to deepen your connection to nature’s cycles and wisdom in sisterhood, I invite you to join The Sacred Spiral—an immersive and ceremonial exploration of the Priestess path, enriched with seasonal wisdom. Aligned with the cycles of The Wheel of The Year, The Sacred Spiral delves into the profound teachings of elements and seasons, enveloping you in the natural tapestry of creation. Secure your spot on the waitlist to be the first to know when the doors swing open again!
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