Beltane (most commonly pronounced "BELL-tayn", but also can be "BEEL-
teen", "BEEL-tawn-uh", or "B'YAL-tinn") is one of the Greater Wiccan
Sabbats and is usually celebrated on May 1st, but can be on the night of
April 30th, depending on your tradition or - if you are solitary -
simply your personal choice. In the Celtic tradition it is celebrated on
May 1st or the first Full Moon in Taurus. The Scottish tradition of
PectiWita celebrate their Sabbat on May 15th.
Other names used for this Sabbat are Bealtaine (Irish Wittan), Whitsun
or Old Bhealltainn (Scottish PectiWita), Bealtinne (Caledonii or the
Druids), Samhradh and La Baal Tinne (Faery Wicca), Roodmas, Rudemas
(Mexican Craft), Walburga (Teutonic), Walpurgisnacht (German), Walpurgis
Eve, Celtic Summer, Giamonios, Tana's Day - La Giornata di Tana (Aridian
Strega), Floralia, The Great Rite, May Day, and May Eve. It is also
known as Cetshamain in Ireland, and is one of the few specifically Irish
festivals.
This Sabbat is primarily a fertility festival, with Nature enchantments
and offerings to wildlings and Elementals. The return of full-blown
fertility is now very evident. The powers of elves and fairies are
growing and will reach their height at Summer Solstice. Celebrants
sometimes jump over broomsticks or dance around May Poles, both as
symbols of fertility. Bonfire leaping and horn blowing are other forms
of traditional celebration. Weaving and plaiting are traditional arts at
this time of year, for the joining together of two substances to form a
third is in keeping with the spirit of Beltane. This Sabbat represents
the Union of the God and Goddess, the Sacred Marriage, all new life, and
fertility for all living things.
Most Wiccans consider this Sabbat to be the start of the Light Half of
the Year - the Summer - as opposed to the Dark Half of the Year - Winter
- which begins on Samhain. Most Wiccans view this as the half of the
year which is ruled by the Goddess, while the dark half is ruled by the
God. As I stated above - this is a fertility Sabbat - and traditionally
is considered to be the time that the God and Goddess are wed. It is
also considered to be the time that He impregnates Her as they are
"sexually connected" on this day. This is represented symbolically by
the wrapping of the May Pole. In the olden days, the May Pole was made
from a communal pine tree which had been decorated at Yule, with most of
its branches removed at this time. A few of the uppermost branches could
remain if desired. Traditionally, the ribbons attached around the top of
the May Pole are red and white... this is to represent either one of
these: the red as the Sun God and the white as the Virgin Goddess, or
the white for the Maiden and the red for the Mother. The participants
dance around the May Pole carrying the ribbons - the males holding the
red and the females holding the white. As they dance, they weave and
intertwine the ribbons to form a symbolic birth canal wrapped around the
phallic pole, representing the union of the Goddess and God. Many
Wiccans choose this time to perform their own Handfastings or Weddings.
Another great choice would be the next Sabbat at the Summer Solstice.
Symbolically, many Pagans choose to represent Beltane with fresh flowers
all around and the cauldron which is filled with flowers. All of the
following flowers are symbolic of Beltane: roses, bluebells, marigolds,
daisies, primroses and lilac. Mirrors are also appropriate. Altar
decorations may also include a small May pole and/or a phallic-shaped
candle (to represent fertility), and a daisy chain. Plaiting and weaving
straw, creating things with wicker, making baskets and fabrics are
traditional arts for this turn in the Wheel of the Year. Other symbols
used to represent Beltane are the May Pole (the traditional full-size
one is about 10 feet tall), May baskets, crossroads, eggs, butterchurns,
and chalices.
Traditional activities include the already mentioned wrapping of the May
Pole, the Great Rite, jumping the balefire, blowing horns, and gathering
flowers. Solitary Practitioners might consider the weaving together of
ribbons as an alternative to creating and dancing around the May Pole.
It is considered taboo to give away fire or food on this day.
Appropriate Deities for Beltane include all Virgin-Mother Goddesses, all
Young Father Gods, all Gods and Goddesses of the Hunt, of Love, and of
Fertility. Some Beltane Goddesses to mention by name here include
Aphrodite, Arianrhod, Artemis, Astarte, Venus, Diana, Ariel, Var, Skadi,
Shiela-na-gig, Cybele, Xochiquetzal, Freya, and Rhiannon. Beltane Gods
include Apollo, Bacchus, Bel/Belanos, Cernunnos, Pan, Herne, Faunus,
Cupid/Eros, Odin, Orion, Frey, Robin Goodfellow, Puck, and The Great
Horned God.
One key action to keep in mind during this time in the Wheel of the Year
is to take action on the activities and projects you had planned and
started on Ostara. Spellwork to consider include those for fertility,
love, spiritual communion/closeness with deity, safety, prosperity, and
conservation. This being a time of great magick, is a good time for
divinations of all types, and for establishing a woodland or garden
shrine. The household guardians should be honoured at this time.
The most common Colors associated with Beltane are white and dark green,
but also appropriate are all the colours of the rainbow spectrum itself.
Stones to use during the Beltane celebration include sapphires,
bloodstones, emeralds, orange carnelians, and rose quartz.. Animals
associated with Beltane are goats, rabbits, and honey bees. Mythical
beasts associated with Beltane include faeries, Pegasus, satyrs, and
giants.
Plants and herbs associated with Beltane are primrose, yellow cowslip,
hawthorn, roses, birch trees, rosemary, and lilac. Also included are
almond, angelica, ash trees, bluebells, cinquefoil, daisies,
frankincense, ivy, marigolds, satyrion root, and woodruff. For Beltane
incense, you could make a blend from any of the following scents or
simply choose one... frankincense, lilac, passion flower, rose, or
vanilla.
Foods in tune with this day (linking your meals with the seasons is a
fine way of attuning with Nature) traditionally come from the dairy, and
dishes such as marigold custard and vanilla ice cream are fine. Sweets
of all kinds, honey, and oats are fine fare for Beltane. Additional
foods to include are all red fruits such cherries and strawberries,
green herbal salads, and red or pink wine punch. Oatmeal or barley
cakes, sometimes known as "Beltane Cakes", are also appropriate.
