Merry Meet to All of You!
Moving on swiftly through the Wheel of the Year, the next Greater Sabbat is just round the corner!
Modern May Day co-insides with the pagan Sabbat of Beltaine (Beltane, Bealltaine, Beltene, Beltine, Floralia, in German: Walburgisnacht), a celebration of summer and fertility and generally a time of merry-making and pleasure, which, in the form that it is most widely known as, is mainly based on ancient Celtic traditions.
Beltaine celebrations begin with the Moon rising on the evening before the 1st of May. In metaphysical context it is understood as the moment when the Earth’s generative, reproductive and sexual energies are at their highest.
Beltaine also initialises the ‘bright half of the year’, with fires traditionally being lit to symbolise the sun’s power on Earth.
These fires were called ‘bel-fires’ or ‘bale fires’ and they convey the force of fire in its magical, energising and healing capacities.
People used to dance around these fires or jump over them to gain from these positive and radiant energies, traditionally, livestock, e.g. cattle was also driven through them to heighten their fertility and productiveness in the future months.
The main goal of these fire ceremonies, for humans and animals, were the prevention of disease, to ban bad luck and to increase fertility and creativity.
Beltaine was celebrated as a happy and raucous feast, with sexuality playing an important role (who hasn’t heard of ‘fornicating in the fields’?).
The joyous aspects of Beltaine have been integrated into modern Wicca, with the devotion to the sun, human sexuality and the regeneration of life being emphasised. Some Wiccans celebrate ‘High Beltaine’ by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady.
If you would like to celebrate Beltaine, why not go out into nature on May Eve, with some food and drink and find a spot to light your own bale fire (a portable barbeque is the best base for your fire, so that it doesn’t spread beyond your control!). Take some musical instruments, if you have some, or just upload your I-Player with invigorating ‘fire’ music*, and dance and be merry, celebrating happiness and the coming summer (I let you decide on the fornicating bit)!
There are organized celebrations of Beltaine you can go to, one not far from Richmond (North Yorkshire), at Thornborough Henge near Masham. If you would like to find out more about this, click here:
Moving on swiftly through the Wheel of the Year, the next Greater Sabbat is just round the corner!
Modern May Day co-insides with the pagan Sabbat of Beltaine (Beltane, Bealltaine, Beltene, Beltine, Floralia, in German: Walburgisnacht), a celebration of summer and fertility and generally a time of merry-making and pleasure, which, in the form that it is most widely known as, is mainly based on ancient Celtic traditions.
Beltaine celebrations begin with the Moon rising on the evening before the 1st of May. In metaphysical context it is understood as the moment when the Earth’s generative, reproductive and sexual energies are at their highest.
Beltaine also initialises the ‘bright half of the year’, with fires traditionally being lit to symbolise the sun’s power on Earth.
These fires were called ‘bel-fires’ or ‘bale fires’ and they convey the force of fire in its magical, energising and healing capacities.
People used to dance around these fires or jump over them to gain from these positive and radiant energies, traditionally, livestock, e.g. cattle was also driven through them to heighten their fertility and productiveness in the future months.
The main goal of these fire ceremonies, for humans and animals, were the prevention of disease, to ban bad luck and to increase fertility and creativity.
Beltaine was celebrated as a happy and raucous feast, with sexuality playing an important role (who hasn’t heard of ‘fornicating in the fields’?).
The joyous aspects of Beltaine have been integrated into modern Wicca, with the devotion to the sun, human sexuality and the regeneration of life being emphasised. Some Wiccans celebrate ‘High Beltaine’ by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady.
If you would like to celebrate Beltaine, why not go out into nature on May Eve, with some food and drink and find a spot to light your own bale fire (a portable barbeque is the best base for your fire, so that it doesn’t spread beyond your control!). Take some musical instruments, if you have some, or just upload your I-Player with invigorating ‘fire’ music*, and dance and be merry, celebrating happiness and the coming summer (I let you decide on the fornicating bit)!
There are organized celebrations of Beltaine you can go to, one not far from Richmond (North Yorkshire), at Thornborough Henge near Masham. If you would like to find out more about this, click here:
Here's a link which gives you details of other Beltaine festivals:
For more information about the Sabbats and Beltaine, click here:
http://www.twpt.com/celebrations.htm
http://www.proteuscoven.org/proteus/sabbats.htm
http://www.twpt.com/celebrations.htm
http://www.proteuscoven.org/proteus/sabbats.htm
So, enjoy the upcoming Sabbat and the summer which follows and have fun celebrating Beltaine!
Warm Blessings
Ilona* Music tip: Loreena McKennitt, ‘Huron Beltane Fire Dance’, for CD details see:
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