< Go Back Beltane Beltane is from 30th April -1st May, and marks the very beginning of Summer. Thought to be named after the Celtic Sun God, Bel, this is the time when the earth is positively brimming over with new life and fertility! As the wheel turns, days are really lengthening, birds are nesting, and flowers and blossoms are bursting out in the hedgerows. The hawthorn, or May, is in bloom. A time for love and to celebrate life! The young Goddess, as a Maiden is wooed by the young God, Green Jack, or the young Oak King and they consummate their love, and the Goddess becomes pregnant. The union of sky and earth.In days gone by young couples would go A-Maying....spending a night of love in the woods. Couples could also become handfasted, and this was a betrothal that lasted a year and a day, or longer, if it went well! Young girls washed their faces in the morning dew, for beauty and decorated their hair with flowers. Hearth fires were extinguished and bonfires were lit, and new hearth fires were lit from these. It was traditional to jump the fire, to bring about purity and fertility, and Beltane is still regarded as a fire festival today, to honour the strengthening and life-giving Sun.
Everyone I am sure is familiar with the sight of the Maypole, and the tradition of dancing round the pole, weaving coloured ribbons, and of the May Queen, wearing a garland of flowers. Maybe in your area, Morris Men and women meet at dawn to "wake up Jack" and herald the beginning of Summer.
The Maypole is the phallic symbol of male potency, and the crown of flowers on top, is the fertility of the Goddess. Colours of Beltane are green, red and white, or silver, and hawthorn can be brought into the home at this time, with birch and Alder - just remember to ask the trees' permission first. It is normally considered bad luck to bring hawthorn inside at any other time, and white flowers in general, as they belong to the Goddess!
Wear green, decorate your home, and altar with greenery and coloured ribbons. Wear a crown of flowers. Eat, drink and celebrate love...... and have fun!
Blessed Beltane!
Thanks to Glennie Kindred