Featured Beltane Gifts

Celebration

The Celtic beginnings of Summer, May day is the celebration of life, procreation, and the start of the “light days” of the year!  Half way between the Vernal Equinox and the Summer Solstice, this time of fun, frolicking and dancing are done to honor the blessing of nature including the gift of love and fertility, cleansing and purity and the return of the Earth’s abundance!

Through out history,  the “mating” of Mother Earth and Father Sun or the god and goddess of fertility is an important time to impregnate the earth with life by planting seeds and nourishing the beginning of the fertile season.

Celebrated all over the world and in different cultures including Roodmas (Old English) May Day (British, Welsh, Celtic, German, Irish), Beltain, (Gaelic), Feast of the Cross (Christian), Rite of the Catholic Church (Gallican) commemorating the finding by Saint Helena of the True Cross in Jerusalem in 355. First day of summer (Ireland), Festival of Flora, the Roman Goddess of Flowers (Rome), the Walpurgis Night Celebrations (Germanic).

Fire Festival

 Beltane is a festival of Fire  It is usual for bonfires to be created and for couples to jump over the “need fire” as a ritual of cleansing and purifying themselves, along with pledging their devotion to each other.  Individuals would also do this to sanctify, purify and cleanse the body and soul of old habits and negativity.

The word Beltane originates from the Celtic phrase “Bel”, meaning beautiful or “the bright one” while the Gaelic word “teine” means fire. These fires were lit to honor the Sun in order to nurture and embrace the growth of the new harvest along with protection for the community.  Cattle and other animals were driven through the smoke or between two fires for a blessing of procreation, protection and longevity.

The Maypole

 The phallic Maypole, was an ancient tradition of dancing clockwise (sun-wise or disoleil) around a large tree or brightly decorated pole with ribbons and flowers. On Beltane eve, the Celts believed it was the fairies who were returning from their winter respite in time for summer.

The symbolism of the maypole comes from centuries of folklore. It has been likened to a symbol of the world axis (axis mundi) or sacred trees, as there is evidence for various sacred trees and wooden pillars that were venerated by the pagans across much of Germanic Europe, including Thor’s Oak and the “Irminsul”.

It is also known that, in Norse paganism, cosmological views held that the universe was a world tree, known as Yggdrasil.

Flower Power

From late March to late April, most flowers burst forth in their full regale. Flowers have an amazing affect on people. This gives us a wonderful opportunity to create arrangements for the home, wreaths for the doors and a  “flower halo”.

Wined the stems of flowers around a crown of wire. Intertwine the stems and line the flower heads up along the outside of the wire crown. Leave about two inches free of flowers, at the back of the crown. Try using flowers with a variety of colors and textures. When you are done, loop threw long strands of different colored ribbons in the space you left at the back of the wire. Snug the ribbon tight or tie them off in the back, so that the ribbons do not unravel.

Want even more inspiration with flower?  Take a look at flower remedies and the color of flowers.

Beltane Oil

 In a two ounce, dark bottle, combination essential oils of romantic rose absolut, pungent patchouli and sexy sandalwood. Add small pieces of red garnet & rainbow moonstone crystals.  Add pieces of passion flower, wild cherry bark, lily flower and rose petals.

Allow this combination to “manifest” under a full moon for 2 evenings.

Use this sexy oil for enticing and “that come hither” feeling. It is great for bathing, anointing candles, crystals or other metaphysical tools. Blend with other oils to encourage their properties. Bless your body or sacred space by massaging a few drops where needed. Freshen up potpourri or seasonal decor by adding a few drops to a spray bottle full of water and spritzing anywhere to invite tantric energy, romantic arousal and the bonding of emotions.

Beltane Blessing   

“O fire clear this way to hope,
and purify my spirit whole, 
to bring me to a place I see 
a deeper, loving part of me.
So I can share myself with you
and not get lost in tales untrue
that I become that better half
for you to sing and dance and laugh.
~ Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac