Beltane Blessings: 5 Modern Ways to Celebrate
Have you seen how abundant the earth is? She is flourishing and bursting in fertility. Spring is at it's peak and we are open to celebrating the coming of Summer.
Beltane means "bright fire" and as such is seen as one of the four great festivals celebrated through the Wheel of the Year. For most, this festival begins on April 30th. This is a time of purification, transformation, and fertility, and we welcome in these energies with big bonfires that some dance around, while others jump over. This is a time to rejoice and bring in hope of a good harvest, as well as protect people you love and the harvest itself. Now is the time of the Summer Goddess as we bring in a space for maternal, divine feminine energy and the fruits of nature will follow.
Another beautiful image of Beltane is, similar to Samhain, the veil between the worlds is very thin. With that being said, you may see the faery clan of Tuatha de Danann crossing between the worlds and flying overhead. Some say they come out of the Glastonbury Tor on this night and fly over us in a great parade.
Beltane Lore
Would you like to celebrate Beltane in a special way as our ancestors once did? Here are some traditions held sacred that you can still practice today.
This month is the Celtic Moon Month/Tree Month of Hawthorne, which asks lovers to attend to matters of the heart. If you do not have a lover, it is asking you to pay attention to your divine feminine and divine masculine to see how they are working together.
To create a protective shield over your home, place an equal-armed cross of rowan and birch on your door.
On the morning of Beltane, May 1, go outside before the sun rises and place the fresh dew on your eyes. This is said to gift you with the power of second sight.
5 Modern Ways to Celebrate Beltane
All of these ways are beautiful ways to bring the ancient wisdom of our ancestors into our practice, as we should. Yet, what are some modern ways we can celebrate Beltane?
1) Collect flowers and create a crown. Many of us have done this as youngsters, but as you delicately create your crown, focus on your intentions. Perhaps you want to creatively visualize yourself as radiant & abundant, or beautiful, healthy, strong & fertile. Wear your crown proudly and feel all of those intentions fusing into your energy system. Note: Wear your flower crown when you feel comfortable wearing it.
2) Embrace Pleasure.
Pleasure can fall into a myriad of categories. One simply way to do this is to make love to your lover, or to yourself. A lot of people overlook sex magick as something completely taboo. When else can you reach complete ecstasy and be in a space of such clarity mentally? In ancient times, they would make love over their garden bed or over their farm land or even in the woods to bless the lands for harvest. Nowadays, I'm not sure our neighbors would enjoy looking out their window to see everyone going at it, but to each their own. Instead, you can set an intention with your lover, or simply with yourself about where the climactic, ecstatic energy will go. Maybe you want to bless & protect your home, maybe you want to give back to the land. Either way, this is a really healthy way to celebrate Beltane and your body will thank you.
The second way is to do something you love that you think is a little naughty, like eating that extra piece of chocolate, watching that romantic movie that makes you feel all the things, or doing anything that makes you feel sensual-- like a bath or dancing wildly. What makes you feel like your young, wild self and is full of pleasure? Do that!
3) Make a bonfire. You could make a bonfire the regular way, with firewood, or choose to use many candles inside of a fire pit. It's gorgeous either way. Write down what you are wanting to purify from your life and burn them away, or breathe in the purifying energy from the fire and feel your energy instantly cleansed.
4) Make an offering to the fae. This is an ancient tradition that has not died. Want the fae on your side? Place out a saucer of milk, honey, and maybe something sparkly. You can also ask for something if you'd like on this night.
5) Protect and Project from your Heart and Meditate on the God/Goddess. Try this simple meditation to help protect your energy field as we move into Summer, as well as project the things you would like to manifest. Envision yourself as a radiant God/Goddess and stay open to receive.
Whatever you choose to do on April 30th and May 1st, may the fires within stay burning brightly, and may your summer be fertile & fruitful.
Abundant blessings xx
Pixi