Beltane: A Festival of Fire and Fertility

The Wheel of the Year turns once more. Ostara, the Maiden Goddess, at Beltane yields to the May Queen and the celebration of life. Beltane, also known as May Day, begins at sundown on April 30.

Beltane, an ancient Celtic festival of fire and fertility, may have evolved from the six-day Roman festival Floralia, which celebrated the goddess Flora and occurred on April 27 or 28. The Floralia commemorated the flowering of spring and included theatrical performances, and competitive games paid for by fines collected when public lands were encroached upon.

Beltane in contrast, is primarily a fire and fertility festival, and is the last of the three spring fertility festivals, following Imbolc and Ostara. It marks the halfway point between the vernal (spring) equinox and the summer solstice. In ancient times, Beltane celebrated life, the end of the dark time of winter, the beginning of summer, and the virility of the Sun God, known during the festival as the May King or Green Man.

On May Eve, Druids lit the Bel fires (bright fires, balefires) for luck and protection. Witches jumped the flames to fortify the protection spells. Cattle were driven between the balefires to safeguard the herd. Couples spent the night in the woods “A-Maying.” Married couples cavorted as well. They were allowed to remove their wedding rings, and for the night were free of the restrictions of marriage.

Then on May Day, villagers danced the Maypole. The phallic-like pole represented the god; the rainbow ribbons, the goddess. As the dancers circled the Maypole, their entwining ribbons wrapped around the pole, signifying the joining of the god and goddess.

Beltane Maypole Dance 2009

Beltane Activities

1. Dance the Maypole. The video above shows my favorite way to perform the dance, although there are several variations. If you are unable to sink a pole into the ground, attach one end to a Christmas tree stand then weigh down the stand. (I use sacks of potting soil. The soil becomes charged with the magic of the dance and makes a great addition to the garden, flowerpots, or a container herb garden.
2. Create a garland of greenery and flowers and hang it on the window or door of your secret crush’s home.
3. Create a flower garland to wear on your head when you dance the Maypole and/or eat a Beltane feast. Add ribbons to keep the flowers in place and to stream down over your shoulders or back.
4. The fire aspect of Beltane represents purification and protection. Purify your    home through spring-cleaning. For yourself, create a bath sachet of purifying and protective herbs such as bay, coconut, rosemary, and lavender.
5. Renew protection spells around your room or home, your car, and your pets.
   Photo credits: “Triumph of Flora” by Tiepolo, circa 1743. Based on Ovid’s description of the Floralia. Wikimedia.

April’s full moon is on April 15, 2014, 3:42 am, Eastern Daylight Time. At 3:46 am there will be a lunar eclipse. Watch my blog for details! http://www.ariellamoon.blogspot.com

Picture credits:

“Ostara” http://helena-nelson-reed.smugmug.com/Paintings/Goddess-Paintings/19503163_ZFNwbN#!i=1526990829&k=ZThjSSn
(This beautiful image of the goddess is included in Stephen D. Farmer’s wonderful oracle card deck, Earth Magic.)

“The Hare” by Ali Scott. http://ceredigionarttrail.org.uk/ali-scott-2013/

“Ostara Eggs” by Ariella Moon (with thanks to Rayne for her beautifully designed eggs.)

“Hares by Moonlight” by Helen Lush. http://www.helenlush.com/lovebirdsandpoetry.htm