The first day of May: flowers in bloom, budding trees, luxuriant
green fields, the blue rush of streams. These are all images of
the growing, fertile, life-filled Beltane season. Beltane begins
the rule of the life-giving Goddess; personified by Mother Nature,
Gaia, the powerful forces of regeneration and renewal. Her powers
of growth, fertility and plenty bless us throughout the summer
as we tend our gardens, eating just picked sun-warmed tomatoes
as we work. Her energies are abundantly present until Her consort
begins His rule at Samhain (Hallows Eve) when we become more introspective
again, quieting down into Winter.
he symbols of Beltane are those of life in celebration. The May
basket filled with the gorgeous flowers of Spring; woven garlands
of flowers and vines to adorn the house or made into a wreath
for the head; the Maypole decorated with colorful ribbons, erected
to dance around in a festival of homage to the Goddess who brings
us life!
Create a May basket as part of your celebration! Begin by weaving
brightly colored ribbons through the wood of the basket then enjoy
the trilling of the songbirds in the leaf-filled trees as you
wander the woods gathering flowers, leaves and green vines to
fill your basket, remembering to thank the Earth for her beauty
and bounty as you pick. Rise at dawn, greeting the vital rays
of the Sun, then wash your face in the morning dew, insuring beauty
and health for the rest of the season.
Beltane means 'bright fire'. Perhaps you'd like to gather the
9 sacred woods (Birch, Rowan, Alder, Willow, Hazel, Oak, Elder,
Fir and Poplar) to create a bonfire in which to bless yourself
and special objects for growth and abundance. Or cut and bless
a branch of a flowering Rowan tree to hang over your front door
to protect your home and bring you health and plenty during the
coming season.
Thank and attract the fairies and spirits of nature to your home
or garden by decorating a living tree or bush with small bells
and ribbons to delight them. Blend an intoxicating Beltane incense
from the herbs of vervain, spearmint, orris root powder, frankincense
resin and the oils of rose and carnation.
Although all of the words in the traditional Charge of the Goddess
are beautiful and inspiring, the following stanza captures the
true spirit of Beltane:
From the Charge of the Goddess: "I Who am the beauty
of the green Earth and the white moon amongst the Stars and the
mystery of the waters and the desire of the heart of man, call
unto thy Soul. Arise and come unto Me! For I am the soul of Nature,
who gives life to the universe. From Me all things proceed and
unto Me all things must return; and before My face, beloved of
Gods and of men, let thine innermost divine self be enfolded in
the rapture of the infinite. Let my worship be within the heart
that rejoiceth; for behold, all acts of love and pleasure are
my rituals."