Beautiful Beltane, Almost Here

Only one word can describe this Sunday morning. Beautiful! Sunny! Sparkling frost. Even though it is rather cold, the sun pouring in through the kitchen window is beautiful. Despite another night of hard frost, the morning is full of wonderful energy. The robins start singing about 4:00 am, followed by the sparrows, house finches and a cardinal or two.  Soon the whole morning chorus urges you to rise from that bed and come look at the morning.

Depending on your tradition, if you are pagan, Beltane occurs on April 30th or May 1st. I observe Beltane on April 30th, hopefully with an outdoor fire ritual. Beltane is a remarkable sabbat for me as it truly marks the beginning of a new and glorious season (even if my northern region wants to hang on to frosty mornings a bit longer). Beltane is a time to be giddy! Yes! Celebrate the season. Sing, dance, laugh, make merry! Have fun with this fire festival. And, like Samhain in October, Beltane is a time when the veil "between the worlds" is thin. What does that mean? Magick is afoot, the Fae might be near, even in your very own garden. All manner of mystery and the Unseen are about.

May 1st, May Day continues the Beltane celebration. The Maypole, flower garlands and crowns, all manner of good food. May Baskets. Beltane is about flowers, the return of light and nature's growing season. A time once again to either continue with plans and goals begun at Ostara (the spring equinox) or to begin planning now for how you will spend your summer time. It is a fabulous time of year and each day is a chance to praise and honor the God and the Goddess as we nurture our gardens and plants. In a Spiritual sense we our nurturing our own growth through the Season by learning, studying and putting these skills into Action. What will your goals be for the Light time of the year.

The Wheel turns once again and all should be glad.

If you are looking for a book to read more about Beltane, here is one in particular, though there are many to be found (as always, read Scott Cunningham!). This book is called Beltane, Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration by Raven Grimassi  and is packed with information about old customs and traditions, fairy and flower lore, spells, recipes, rituals and arts and crafts. It is a wonderful book to have on your Wiccan or Pagan bookshelf.

image source

Beltane Reading

B begins Beltaine,

the faeries' balefire day

    ~~from ABC Book of Shadows, by Katie Lydon Olivares

                      with Artwork by April Choi

         published by Itty Bitty Witch Works, 2005

Looking through my books this morning; perusing for inspiration and ideas to celebrate the wonderful sabbat of Beltane. (This sabbat is also spelled Beltaine, Bealtaine depending on your tradition.) Beltane is the epitome of Spring Festivals. Imagine hundreds and hundreds of years ago, villagers gathering together to observe this event that represents fertility in all its glory. Fields are waiting to be planted and flowers are blooming . The air is filled with birdsong, and the skies are the beautiful colors of spring blues. The countryside is redolent with life, love and laughter. The return of spring in its fullness is creating an atmosphere of happiness and hope. Balefires (bonfires) are built, greenery and flowers are gathered and worn and strewn about. Food and drink abound, and all is well. And let's not forget the Maypole, bedecked with long trailing ribbons and flower, with young and old dancing and weaving the ribbons around the pole.

nuindil.com

Traditionally the Beltane fires were lit on the night of April 30th, often made using 9 types of wood. People would jump over the fires.  Later that night, lovers young and not so young would make their way to cozy nooks and hidden forest places for joyful encounters. Beltane is indeed, a joyful time to celebrate fertility of the fields, and of the family. May 1st, May Day, dawns and now is the time for more feasting, dancing and singing.


Symbolically, the God is a virile young man, the Goddess, the beautiful maiden. Their union will later symbolize the beauty and fertility of the planted fields, growth and harvest.

This time of year is full of anticipation of the coming summer and all of summer's bounty.

Here are four books I am looking at today to help me plan my sabbat.  I would love to hear your reading recommendations.

Wicca, A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham

Beltane by Raven Grimassi

Sabbats A Witch's Approach to Living the Old Ways by Edain McCoy

Simple Wicca by Michele Morgan