Beltane: April 30th - May 1st, 2023
In the Northern Hemisphere: April 30th to May 1st
In the Southern Hemisphere: October 31st to November 1st
THEMES:
Passion, Action, Creativity, Lust, Sexuality, Marriage, Pleasure
CRYSTALS:
Carnelian, Garnet, Ruby, Orange Calcite, Protective Crystals (i.e. onyx or tourmaline)
COLORS:
Red, Orange, Yellow, Green
TOOLS & SPECIAL ITEMS:
Bonfire, Candles, Maypole, Symbols Representing Fertility, Spring Flowers
PLANTS & SCENTS:
Hawthorn, Rose, Honeysuckle, Lilac, Angelica
FOODS:
Fresh Herbs
RUNES:
Berkana, Ehwaz, Algiz, Raido, Uruz
ZODIAC:
Taurus
GODS AND GODDESSES:
Bel or Belenus, Balder, Cernunnos, Eros, Odin, Freya, Aphrodite, Artemis, Blodeuwedd, Rhiannon, Frigga, Flora
Beltane
Beltane or “May Day” is one of the eight sabbats in the Wheel of the Year. It brings a powerful boost of energy, spiritual connection, passion, and action. Beltane is a fire festival and the midway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. This sabbat marks the summer season. As the sun’s warmth increases, so do our internal fires and passions.
Some believe the name of this sabbat comes from the “fires of Bel.” Bel, also known as Belenus, is the Sun God in Celtic lore. Their connection is an emphasis on the importance of fire and the sun.
Falling opposite Samhain on the Wheel, this is a strong time to connect to the spirit realm. Similar to Samhain, the veil between the spirit world and the physical world is thinner than usual.
Our ancestors celebrated Beltane with bonfire ceremonies, where livestock would be ushered between two fires to ensure a successful season. A prominent part of this celebration includes themes tied to love, passion, and unions. An increase in announcements of marriage, pregnancies, and passion-filled unions is very common.
The passion of Beltane and its association with romantic lust, doesn’t mean singles can’t use this energy. If you have been working toward a goal, use that passionate energy to complete it.
Work with fire to invoke the energy of Beltane in the most potent way. Fire represents powerful masculine energy and is associated with the solar plexus area (above the belly button and below the heart center). Have a bonfire celebration with friends or with candles by yourself. Metaphorically, you can work with fire energy by exercising, breathwork practices, or solar plexus visualizations.
Pleasure is another important theme corresponding to Beltane. This sabbat is celebrated during Taurus Season, which is the zodiac sign related to pleasure through the 5 senses. Pleasure corresponds to water and the sacral region. Water’s flowing energy is the creative force of the womb space, associated with pleasure, fertility, and creation. The watery and creative energy is the feminine energy of Beltane. Connect with this energy through the physical element of water or embody the water element through dance, sexuality, and pleasurable activities.
The maypole represents both feminine and masculine energy. The phallic stick corresponds to the masculine energy and the circle at the top corresponds to the feminine energy.