Wheel of the Year - Beltane

Beltane, also known as May day, is one of the four greater Sabbats. We celebrate this fire festival on May 1st, traditionally beginning after moonrise. Beltane marks the beginning of the third quarter or the second half of the ancient Celtic year. During this Sabbat we celebrate the union of the Goddess and the God through feast, dance, fire and more. Today we will discuss the history, symbols and stories of the Sabbat and let you know how you can join in at home too!

HISTORY AND LORE

Beltane is an ancient holiday celebrated on May 1st. In ancient times so much of life was tied into the changing of the seasons and Beltane being a fire festival and celebration of the light part of the year made this fun festival a big deal to the Celts. Since the Sabbat revolves around birth, renewal, light and growth many rituals were held to promote fertility and growth. It was common on Beltane to use Balefires to drive herds from the hills, the druids kindled the Beltane fires with specific incantations and later the Christian church took over the Beltane observances, a service would be held in the church, followed by a procession to the fields or hills, where the priest kindled the fire. 

Today this is still a holiday of union - both between the Goddess and the God and between man and woman. We, as Pagans, celebrate sexuality (something we see as holy and intrinsic to us as holy beings), we celebrate life and the unity which fosters it. The myths of Beltane state that the young God has blossomed into manhood, and the Goddess takes him as her lover. Together and through their union, all life begins. The flowers and greenery we decorate with symbolise the Goddess and the Maypole represents the God. Beltane is the season of maturing life and deep found love. This is the time of vows, handfastings and commitment. Beltane marks the return of vitality and passion of summer. 

RITUAL AND OBSERVANCE

There are many ways to celebrate Beltane at home! Here are a few of our favorites...

• Take part in a bonfire, if a bonfire isn't reasonable given your circumstances, weather or location create a "candle bonfire" and celebrate in doors!
• Build and dance around a May Pole either alone or with friends. 
• Dance like no one is watching! This one seems silly but Beltane is all about celebration, being wild, sensuality, love and light. 
• Participate in a pleasure or love ritual with your partner. 
• Decorate your home and Altar with fresh spring flowers, red and white candles, seeds and eggs. Any symbols of spring and fertility are appropriate. 
• Leave an offering in your garden to the fairies as it is believed they can cross over during Beltane.
• Pick wildflowers and reflect on nature. 

CORRESPONDENCES 

SYMBOLS: Fresh flowers, seeds, eggs, the may pole, and any phallic objects.

COLORS: Red, white, pink, green and brown.

ANIMALS: The stag, doves, rabbits, bees and cows.

GODDESSES: Aphrodite, Venus, Diana, Artemis, Persephone, Freya

GODS: Pan, Dionysus, Eros, The Green Man
INCENSE: Frankincense, jasmine, rose, sandalwood

CANDLES:  White, red, silver, gold

PLANTS: All blooming flowers, lily, foxglove, jasmine, rose, violet, dasiy
STONE: Rose quartz, emerald, bloodstone

ALTAR DECOR: Fresh cut flowers, seeds, antlers, honey jars, fresh cut herbs
FOODS: Honey, beef, wine, sweets, sugary drinks, breads, dairy products

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The Wheel of the Year

THE GREATER - FIRE FESTIVALS

Samhain

Imbolc 

Lughnasadh / Lammas

Beltane

THE LESSER - SOLAR FESTIVALS

Yule - Winter Solstice 

Ostara - Spring Equinox

Litha - Summer Solstice

Mabon - Autumnal Equinox

The Four lesser Sabbats are known as the Solar Festivals, in that they mark a seasonal change caused by the Sun. The cross quarter days, or greater Sabbats are the Fire Festivals and are usually celebrated as significant agricultural festivals. Modern Witches observe these eight festivals which we call "Sabbats" to honor the changing of the seasons and tune ourselves into the universes rhythms.

LORE:

The Cycle of the God and Goddess within the Wheel is one that mirrors the cyclical nature of our spiritual growth and the life stages we move through in the course of our lifetimes. The Goddess is the Maiden of new beginnings and the gift of promise who becomes the nurturing Mother. She tends and cares for what she has birthed and as Her wisdom grows she enters the state of being that is the wise Crone who has seen all that life has to offer and gives that wisdom back to those who prove worthy. She remains a constant throughout the wheel, never dying or being reborn; changing only in the nature of expression that is necessary to ensure the cycle of the God.

The God also moves through the cycle of death and rebirth, and His course is that of sacrifice, death and then the mastery of rebirth. He moves through the Wheel as both child and lover to the Goddess as well as guardian and protector of both flora and fauna. Throughout his cycle of change he moves from the child of Light that is birthed at Yule to the Youth that quickens and enlivens at Beltane to the King of Power and Father of strength at Litha and finally to the place of the Sage whose energy sustains humanity in the harvested grain, cut down, and willingly sacrificed to feed and hold all safe throughout the cold of winter. Read more here.

There are many versions of this tale and they change from coven to coven or region to region. Another popular more solarized version of the wheel of the year story is that of the Oak King and the Holly King, this tales roots are in Celtic legend and you can read more about it here.

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