Monday, May 1st

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Beltane, my favorite day of the year, is the last of the three Spring Fertility Festivals, the others being Imbolc (February 2nd or Ground Hog’s Day) and Ostara (now Easter).

It is the second principal Celtic festival (the other being Samhain). Celebrated approximately halfway between Vernal (spring) equinox and Midsummer (Summer Solstice), Beltane traditionally marked the arrival of Summer in Ancient times.

Beltane and its counterpart, Samhain (known today as Halloween!) Divide the year into its two primary seasons, Winter (Dark Part) and Summer (Light Part).

As Samhain is about honoring Death, Beltane is about honoring Life.

 

It is the time when the Sun is fully released from his bondage of winter and able to rule over summer and life once again.

Beltane, like Samhain, is a time of "no time" when the veils between the two worlds are at their thinnest.

No time is when the two worlds intermingle and unite and the magic abounds!

 

It is the time when the Faeries return from their winter respite, carefree and full of faery mischief and faery delight. On Beltane Eve people would place Rowan branches and Primrose at their windows and doors for protection as many otherworldly occurrences could transpire during this time of "no time".

 

In Ireland it is believed that food left over from May Eve must not be eaten, but rather buried or left as an offering to the Fae instead. Much like the tradition of leaving of whatever is not harvested from the fields on Samhain, food from the time of no time is treated with great care.

When the veils are so thin it is an extremely magical time and it is said that the Queen of the Faeries rides out on her white horse. Legend has it that if you sit beneath a tree on Beltane night, you may see the Faery Queen or hear the sound of Her horse's bells as She rides through the night

It is a time to sow your seeds for the future harvest and release any bondage (sorrows, regrets, anger) from the dark months. It is a time for wishes to come true and to celebrate the gift of life. A time of birth and renewal, release and forgiveness.

 

Cut a piece of Spring colored ribbon and sit for a moment, or take a walk in Nature, and think of something that you would like to be rid of ~ a bad habit, a negative way of thinking~an illness~anything that limits you in your personal and spiritual growth.

Make a knot in your ribbon for each thing that comes to mind and on May Eve or May Day make a fire & toss your ribbon into the flames! See the things that hold you back release into the air thru the smoke.

 

Beltane Blessings!

Lis

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