Hail to Thalia, Grace of Flowering and Mirth!
Hail to blessed Flora, and to Maia Majestas!
We bow in gladness to The Lord and The Lady!
We merrily welcome the King and Queen of Faery!

Song of Beltane

I am the calm, I am the quickening,
I am the intoxication and the force,
I am the silence, I am the singer,
I am the stallion galloping to its source.
I am the bright pavilion and the feasting,
I am the wedding couple and the bed,
I am the morning chorus and the heartbeat,
I am the goal to which all paths are led.

Caitlín Matthews

While in the Southern Hemisphere, our brothers and sisters observe Samhain today, in the northern lands, we celebrate Beltane, Beltainne (pronounced Bel-tinna), Cetsamhain (‘opposite Samhain’), and Walpurgis (German).

The medieval Church tried to rename this celebration Roodmas in an attempt to shift the common people’s allegiance from the Maypole (an obvious phallus and symbol of life) to the Holy Rood (the Cross – symbol of their God’s death and resurrection).

Similarly in more modern times, in countries that have attempted to completely eradicate all folk traditions and spirituality, such as the Soviet Union, May Day was changed to a day for military and workforce demonstrations.

In both instances, when those in power are not forcing the people to obey, these appropriations have not been as popular. However, this year, the people are rising up to take back their sovereignty from aspiring tyrants and madmen. It would be a blessed act, if you feel called to join the throngs who are saying NO to fascism and oppression.

Dancing with the Flame

Beltane is a reference to ‘Bel-fire’, the fire of the Celtic God of light (Bel, Beli or Belinos). He, in turn, may be traced to the Middle Eastern God Baal.

Whatever you choose to call it, this is a Fire Festival celebrating the beginning of Summer, when the breezes are scented and the evenings are getting warm.

Today we celebrate Life’s creative ecstasy. The veil between the human world and the primal world is thin as we dance the mysteries of fertility, beauty, and Nature’s flowering.

This is our great festival of love, lust, and fertility. This Sabbat honors the great creative life force in all things. The young Oak King has won the hand of the Maiden Goddess and with their union, She becomes pregnant.

We honor and emulate the divine union of the Lord and Lady. Celebrations include the obvious pleasures of sexual coupling, like most of Nature is doing everywhere right now!

We also observe this magical time by weaving a web of life around the Maypole and leaping the Beltane fires for luck.

Lilacs, roses, lily-of-the-valley, and other blossoms can be brought inside on this day to represent the fertility of the sweet Earth. And I especially adore May wine, which is made with white wine infused with (pesticide-free!) sweet woodruff blossoms.

But hawthorn’s flowers, sacred to the People of Peace, should never be cut and must remain outdoors, else grave misfortune befall you. Also, think twice about bringing honeysuckle into the house unless you want a wedding soon!

For many generations in my family, cut flowers were bred and tended as gifts of love, hospitality, and grace. However, I have learned to think twice about cutting blossoms. That’s because, as Emerson noted, living blooms are Earth’s laughter, but a cut flower is but a smile.

If I ask permission to snip a few of my own blossoms on special occasions, which one should unfailingly do, it is sometimes granted to me. I also leave an offering – purest water, cornbread (a local favorite), cream, or honey are especially welcome. Never, ever leave anything that would be toxic to the wild creatures.

Respect and honor are essential when communing with any of our Green kindred, and particularly when you are removing some of their potential for regeneration.

This is a time of focusing on our own fertile possibilities! You might make a wish today and plant the seeds of your own desires, most appropriate for this time of the waxing Moon.

And, as mentioned yesterday, I certainly hope you remembered to wash your face in the dew first thing this morning, ensuring youth and beauty forever.

As a fire festival, this is a traditional spell you might wish to chant as you feed the flames:

The Fires of Beltane

Nine woods in the Bel fire go
Burn them fast and burn them slow.

Birch wood in the fire goes
To represent what the Lady knows.

Oak in the forest, towers with might
In the fire it brings the God’s insight.

Rowan is a tree of power
Causing life and magick to flower.

Willows by the waters stand
They’ll someday guide us to Summerland.

Hawthorn is burned to purify
And to draw faerie to your eye.

Hazel, tree of wisdom and learning
Adds its strength to the bright fire burning.

White are the flowers of Apple tree
That brings us fruits of fertility.

Grapes grow upon the vine
Giving us both joy and wine.

Fir does mark the evergreen
To represent immortality seen.

But – Elder is the Lady’s tree;
Burn it not or cursed you’ll be.

Magical Trysts

Wiccan handfastings are common at Beltane, however the wise grandmothers knew very well that most lusty trysts formed in the merry month of May were not likely to last, so actual marriages were avoided and considered bad luck during this month.

Instead, the smitten couples were encouraged to enjoy their pleasures, but wait at least one lunation before the serious business of marriage. Better yet, the traditional year and a day was allowed to pass, and then the couple could decide if they wanted to make their ties permanent, or merry part.

That’s why June is considered a much more favorable time for a lasting union and to this day is the most popular wedding month.

And if a pregnancy resulted after the Beltane revelries, well, so what? The mother was considered blessed and the child was sure to be magical. Both were supported and welcomed by the whole village, and all was well.

Don’t you just love this way to work with our sexy nature, rather than to condemn it, and forbid it to take its course?

The Fair Ones

At Beltane, we remember the arrival of the Tuatha de Danann in Ireland, and we honor on this day the Great Mother-Goddess Danu (or Danann). The Tuatha de Danann (meaning, “the people of Danann”) were the fourth invading culture to arrive in Ireland, many centuries before the Christian era.

They were quite beautiful and astonishingly advanced, being highly skilled in science and metalworking. They came to be understood as a race apart from humans.

They inhabited Ireland for about two hundred years, until the fifth and last invaders, the Milesians (Gaels), conquered them. When the Tuatha de Danann had been finally defeated, they withdrew to the hollow hills, where they reside to this day.

Now known as the Sidhe (pronounced “shee”), they are the source of much of our lore about the Celtic Gods, Goddesses, and our communion with the Faery races.

So this is an important time to give offerings to our Cousins and co-walkers. The activities of the People of Peace are now increasing and will reach their height at Summer Solstice.

Now then, my dears — enough talk! Get yourself outside!

Light the Bel-fires, sing to the trees, dance with the Wild Ones, surrender to this most ancient enchantment.

Revel in the sensuous delights of life and love.

May your magical rites be most gladly savored!
Blessed Be!