Beltane or Beltaine is a fire and light festival celebrated on April 30/May 1, halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.
«The Wheel of the Year» also symbolically reflects the traditional female cycles of life, from maiden to mother to crown, before her rebirth again»
~Zoe Howe.
Beltane, or as we have called it for years in my virtual space, the Sabbat of light, is one of the most powerful moments of the Wheel of the Year when we celebrate (after the complete exit of winter a month ago) the solar fire and everything that it symbolizes, heat, life, light, the illuminated paths that allow us to dance and pilgrimage between the worlds, the sacred path of the gods, and we venerate the almighty Horned God who is preparing for summer.
It is the celebration of light, heat, fire, and the sun. Solar deities such as Helios, Apollo, Lugh, and many others gain enormous devotion in those days and it is common to find them being named over and over again, not only in virtual posts like this one but (more importantly) in multiple rituals and celebrations in the parks.
In Wicca, we not only celebrate the cycles of nature on the outside, but also all those cycles that we live internally, the manifestation of the internal sacred fire, sexuality, fertility, virility, sensuality, and all forms of expression. of the fire of the horned god.
“Beltane, one of the four major sabbats celebrated each year by Witches and other Pagans, is observed on this day. The traditional herbs associated with this sabbat include almond, angelica, ash tree, bluebells, cinquefoil, daisy, frankincense, hawthorn, ivy, lilac, marigold, primrose, roses, satyrion root, and yellow cowslips”
~ Gerina Dunwich.
The month of May is full of folklore and all kinds of magical myths, such as the purifying rain of May that cleanses our souls and our thoughts, the fire of May that illuminates the path of those who have departed, and the light of May that comes straight from the high realm of the oldest gods. It is a month to celebrate divinity, fairies, and all forms of life in nature, which is why Beltane is one of the most important Sabbats, we are not only celebrating life and natural cycles, but also light and fire. that will accompany us throughout the rest of the year.
Right now, those seeds that we have previously sown in the first moments after winter are beginning to emerge seeking to reach the warm sunlight. For this reason, we relate the Beltane celebration periods with the abundance of grain and cornfields.
While there are many books on the subject, my favorite passage to explain the Beltane celebration is found in Chapter five: «The Rise of the God, The Realm of Sun and Fire» in Judy Ann Nock’s recent title «The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick: Your Guide to Crafting Charms, Rituals, and Spells from the Natural World», where she, as the author, fully and briefly explains the myth and folklore related to the Beltane celebrations and their associated male gods like Belenos, Beli Mawr, and Lugh, as well as a powerful and extensive meditation to be performed in this cycle, charms, spells, candle making, and many other ways to celebrate.
“The Sun God pierces the darkness with blinding rays; he is called by many names. To the ancient Celts, he was known as Belenos, the Shining One, and by the Welsh name Beli Mawr. His name is the root of Beltane, and his worship was widespread.”
~ Judy Ann Nock.
Beltane is a celebration of fertility and life, light and fire, abundance and prosperity. We are celebrating that just like our ancestors, we have survived the cold winter and its long nights, the cycles and the rain have passed, the fields, the gardens, and all our plantations are nourished and the sun feels warmer every day, it is time then to collect what we have previously sown and hugged each other on this holiday.
*Wheel of the Year
It is the wheel of annual celebrations for most Pagans, Wiccans, and Witches, as well as all those who identify as Neo-Pagans. Said wheel describes the annual cycles of sabbats and their various celebrations that embody the natural cycles and terrestrial movements, made up of eight festivities, including the solstices and equinoxes.
Recommended Readings:
~ TEMPERANCE ALDEN, Year of the Witch: Connecting with Nature’s Seasons through Intuitive Magick. Weiser Books.
~ GERINA DUNWICH, Herbal Magick: A Guide to Herbal Enchantments, Folklore, and Divination. Weiser Books.
~ EMMA KATHRYN, Witch Life: A Practical Guide to Making Every Day Magic. Llewellyn Books.
~ ZOE HOWE, Witchful Thinking: The Wise Woman’s Handbook for Creating a Charmed Life. Llewellyn Books.
~ JUDY ANN NOCK, The Modern Witchcraft Book of Natural Magick: Your Guide to Crafting Charms, Rituals, and Spells from the Natural World. Adams Media.
~ MHARA STARlING, Welsh Witchcraft: A Guide to the Spirits, Lore, and Magic of Wales. Llewellyn Books (especially for those in search of information about Calan May: May Day, an annual Celtic festival that we talk a lot about but know little about.)
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