Beltaine

In early times the Celts divided the year into two seasons, rather than four. For this reason Beltaine and Samhain are the two most significant sabbats. Beltaine marking the beginning of summer, and Samhain the beginning of winter.

The word Beltaine may originate from Bel-fire, the fire of Bel (or Balor). Bel-fires are lit on hilltops to celebrate the return of fertility to the earth. In ancient Ireland no one could light a bel-fire until the High King had first lit his on Tara Hill. Many Beltaine celebrations include jumping the Bel-fire to bring luck and protection. Cattle were also driven through its smoke or ashes to ensure fertility and a plentiful milk yeild. Bel-fire smoke is also an excellent agent to cleanse and purify magickal tools, amultes, etc.

The Goddess is seen in her mother aspect. It is at Betaine that we celebrate the union of the God and the Goddess. It is at Beltaine that they are said to wed and the God impregnates the Goddess. Although, if one was to take into consideration the 9 month gestation period of humans, (and apply that to the Goddess and God) then the God would have been concieved at Ostara rather than Beltaine. Regardless most Wiccans celebrate the conception of the God at Beltaine.

The Maypole is symbolic of this union. A large pole (a phallic symbol) is erected (excuse the pun), ribbons (traditionally red for the males, white for the females) are tied to its top. The participants dance around the pole weving the ribbons together, symbolizes the interweaving of the Goddess and the God.

Another fertility ritual common at Beltaine was for women to "ride" besoms through the fields. (This is likely the source of the image of the witch at Halloween flying on a besom, but was actually ridden as a child rides a hobby-horse.) This was thought to increase the fertility of the land, and was thought to be more powerful if performed by a woman who was menstrating.

The goat is a prominent Beltaine symbol, although it may have a reputation as well known as the rabbit for its randiness, that is not because it is unearned. The goat, with its horns also represented the God. Dairy products (from goats or otherwise) are popular Beltaine Foods.

Dieties & Mythical Beings

Prayers

A Prayer to Cernunnos

God of the green,
Lord of the forest,
I offer you my sacrifice.
I ask you for your blessing.

You are the man in the trees,
the green man of the woods,
who brings life to the dawning spring.
You are the deer in rut,
mighty Horned One,
who roams the autumn woods,
the hunter circling round the oak,
the antlers of the wild stag,
and the lifeblood that spills upon
the ground each season.

God of the green,
Lord of the forest,
I offer you my sacrifice.
I ask you for your blessing.

A Thanks to Mother Earth

Great earth mother!
We give you praise today
and ask for your blessing upon us.
As seeds spring forth
and grass grows green
and winds blow gently
and the rivers flow
and the sun shines down
upon our land,
we offer thanks to you for your blessings
and your gifts of life each spring.

Honor the May Queen

The leaves are budding across the land
on the ash and oak and hawthorn trees.
Magic rises around us in the forest
and the hedges are filled with laughter and love.
Dear lady, we offer you a gift,
a gathering of flowers picked by our hands,
woven into the circle of endless life.
The bright colors of nature herself
blend together to honor you,
Queen of spring,
as we give you honor this day.
Spring is here and the land is fertile,
ready to offer up gifts in your name.
we pay you tribute, our lady,
daughter of the Fae,
and ask your blessing this Beltane.

Prayer to the Gods of the Forest

Spring has come to the earth.
the land is fertile and ready at Beltane,
seeds will be sown, and
new life will begin once more.
Hail, great gods of the land!
Hail, gods of resurrected life!
Hail, Cernunnos, Osiris, Herne, and Bacchus!
Let the soil open up
and mother earth's fertile womb
receive the seeds of life
as we welcome the spring.

The Beltane Blessing

Bless, O threefold true and bountiful,
Myself, my spouse, my children.
Bless everything within my dwelling and in my possession,
Bless the kine and crops, the flocks and corn,
From Samhain Eve to Beltane Eve,
With goodly progress and gentle blessing,
From sea to sea, and every river mouth,
From wave to wave, and base of waterfall.

Be the Maiden, Mother, and Crone,
Taking possession of all to me belonging.
Be the Horned God, the Wild Spirit of the Forest,
Protecting me in truth and honor.
Satisfy my soul and shield my loved ones,
Blessing every thing and every one,
All my land and my surroundings.
Great gods who create and bring life to all, I ask for your blessings on this day of fire.

Invocation

Feathered winds come dance with me
Lift me from the ground.
Join my waltz, my spirit, freed
As we're upward bound.

Tongues of flame come jump with me
Ye purifying fires,
Join my joy, my playful glee
As we move yet higher.

Tears from seas, come sing with me
Roll from out the caves,
Join my verse, my body cleansed
In your healing waves.

Mother Earth come laugh with me
Set aside your toils,
Join my chant of forests green
Secure me in rich soil.

Earth and Air, Fire and Sea
I call you all, come dance with me!
Grant me now a sacred space
While working magic in this place.

Beltane Blessing Chant

Oak and May,
On This Day,
Will both Heed
Those in Need.
Goddess Bright,
God of Sun,
Bless your Children
'Till our days are done.

Bulb Planting Earth Chant

breath of the stone is strange to me
i know it lives as i can't see
force of the earth is strong and free
sustenance and beauty be
born of the stars and sprang from the ground
Mother, Goddess all around
Wheel must turn as the seasons show
what lies dead shall surely grow

Blessing for the natural world

May we live more wisely within our overlapping ecosystems.
May we cherish anew the wonder of clean waters and fresh winds.
May we more wisely tend and respect the animals and plants that nourish us.
May the sacred fires of Beltane guide us into new paths of hope.

Rituals & Traditions

It was beleived that washing your face with the morning dew on Beltaine would beautify the skin

Personal Focus

Colors

Decorations

Food & Drink

Oils

Incense

Herbs & Teas

Almond
Angelica
Ash Tree
Birch
Bluebells
Burdock
Cinquefoil
Daisy
Damiana
Frankincense
Hawthorn
Hibiscus
Honeysuckle
Ivy

Lilac
Marigold
Meadowseeet
Primrose
Rose
Rose hips
Rosemary
Saffron
Satyrion root
St. John's Wort
Woodruff
Yellow cowslips