The cold weather is now a memory; the flowers have bloomed, and the weather is much more pleasant. It is that time of year again when you are lighting up the barbeque to cook a meal you can enjoy outdoors. You may have barbeque dinners to enjoy with friends, and this is when you get a sneak peek of summer. Unless you live in a warmer climate and have been able to enjoy the warm weather even during winter and early spring, those who do not grow an appreciation for it when it arrives. Swimming outdoors may still be too soon, but the time is coming quickly. All of this points to Beltane, which is the kickoff of summer. Let’s discuss the history of Beltane, its common rituals, and the spread of tarot.
The History of Beltane
Beltane is a Sabbat that celebrates the arrival of summer. It is traditionally observed on May 1st and is considered one of the four major Sabbats, along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lammas (Lughnasadh). Beltane is halfway between the Ostara (spring equinox) and the Litha (summer solstice).
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The origins of Beltane can be traced back to the pre-Christian times when it was primarily a fertility festival. The word “Beltane” is believed to come from the Gaelic words “bealtaine” or “bealltainn,” which means “bright fire.” Fire was central in Beltane celebrations, symbolizing purification, fertility, and protection.
One of the most well-known Beltane rituals is the lighting of the Beltane bonfire. People would gather on hilltops or other sacred sites and ignite large fires. Cattle were driven between two bonfires to purify and protect them from disease. It was also believed that the bonfire smoke had a protective and cleansing effect on the community.
Another critical aspect of Beltane is the Maypole dance. A tall pole, often decorated with flowers and ribbons, is erected, and people dance around it, weaving the ribbons in intricate patterns. This dance symbolizes the union of the masculine and feminine energies, as well as the fertility of the land.
Beltane is also associated with various rituals and customs related to fertility and abundance. On Beltane Eve, which is April 30th, the borders between the human and supernatural worlds were believed to be thin, and spirits could easily cross over. People would hang rowan branches and yellow flowers on their doors to protect themselves from unwanted spirits.
In modern times, many people still celebrate Beltane, especially those following pagan or Wiccan traditions. The rituals and customs may vary, but the underlying themes of fertility, growth, and celebrating the natural world remain central.
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Overall, Beltane is a joyful and vibrant festival that honors the changing of seasons and the arrival of summer. It is a time to connect with nature, celebrate life, and embrace the energy of renewal and growth. Let’s discuss common and fun Beltane rituals and celebrations you may want to do, whether you are pagan or not.
What Are Ways to Celebrate Beltane?
There are so many ways you can celebrate Beltane; many pagans and Wiccans go out and add many rituals to their Beltane celebrations. However, if that does not define who you are, you can enjoy the celebrations too to get into the spirit as you look forward to the upcoming summer months to enjoy the warm and hot weather. Let’s discuss various ways to celebrate this Sabbat, as you can try one of the following rituals or all of them!
Create a Maypole
As the tale goes, the lovers are separated during the winter, and Beltane is the time to reunite them through a marriage ceremony or handfasting. That is also why it is common to celebrate the Sabbat with feasts and create maypoles of various colors representing the feminine energies surrounding the pole, which represents masculine energies. That is why a great way to celebrate the Sabbat is to create your maypole, as you can grab a branch and use various colored ribbons to surround it. You can top it up with a gem.
Have a Bonfire
Bonfires are a common ritual to celebrate Beltane, and you can have one if that is how you want to celebrate the Sabbat. You first want to find a safe area to set the bonfire and check with the authorities to ensure it is legal. Some regions may have fire bans; you will want to skip this ritual if you live in that area. However, if not, then ensure you do so safely. Gather cardboard boxes, newspaper, fliers, wood, and kindling to make a fire. Gather up stones to create a ring of rocks surrounding the fire to contain the sparks. Light it, dance around it, or roast some marshmallows and make some smores.
Collect Flowers and Get Creative with Them
Beltane is when you will see plenty of flowers blooming, and you will want to collect them and gather them up because there are many things you can do with them. You can create a wreath with flowers and wear it as a crown. It represents your natural connection, abundance, and inner power. You can also use plenty of flowers to put in a May basket if you plan to make some to send as gifts, as these baskets can have flowers and treats. You will also want to grab some flowers to save if you plan to create an altar, which will be discussed soon in this article.
Prepare a Beltane Dinner
Having a feast is a significant ritual for Beltane and any Sabbat. Because fire is substantial for this Sabbat, the perfect Beltane feast would involve lighting up a barbeque and cooking meat or vegan replacements. There are plenty of Beltane recipes online, which often include barbequing. But you could have a barbeque party as you can make hot dogs, burgers, seafood, roast vegetables on the grill, have a side of mac and cheese or corn, and later on for dessert, you can enjoy a smores snack.
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Set an Altar and Perform a Goddess Ritual
The one thing that pagans and Wiccans do during Beltane is to set an altar full of flowers and have candles that represent the colors of spring, such as yellow, pink, and green, and would have floral scents. If scented candles bother you, you can light unscented candles with those colors. Green is an excellent color representing growth and fertility; yellow is also a great color representing the sun. You can also add red, which represents fire. You can have a cloth of any of those colors for your altar. And you will also want to put your maypole on your altar. The one thing to do is perform a goddess ritual and a tarot reading.
Close your eyes after lighting the candles and do a short meditation so you can draw up the feminine energy. Imagine your body filling up with light, and then the light from your body filling up your home. Think of those who bring you happiness and what else brings you joy. When you are done with the meditation, please write down the intentions you want to set for the season and then burn them with one of the candles. Then, do the Beltane tarot reading to see what energies you are facing.
The Collective Beltane 2024 Reading
I drew a Beltane spread to see what energies you are facing collectively from Emerald Lotus, and here are the following cards I drew:
- Card to represent Beltane energy – Death
- What can you learn from Beltane this year? Ace of Wands
- How can you let light into your life? Ace of Pentacles
- What areas should you release? Five of Cups
- What area of your life is fertile for growth? High Priestess
- How can you manifest abundance? Judgment
Let’s go into this further and elaborate on the message:
Card One – Death
The Death card represents transformation and change. In the context of Beltane, it signifies the energy of letting go of the old to make way for the new. This card suggests that during this Beltane season, you may experience significant shifts and endings in various aspects of your life. Embrace these changes as they are necessary for your personal growth and evolution.
Card Two – Ace of Wands
The Ace of Wands represents new beginnings, inspiration, and creative energy. This card indicates that Beltane is a time for you to tap into your passions and ignite the spark of creativity within you. It encourages you to explore new ideas, projects, or endeavors that align with your desires. Embrace the enthusiasm and motivation that Beltane brings and allow it to fuel your personal growth and learning.
Card Three – Ace of Pentacles
The Ace of Pentacles symbolizes material abundance, prosperity, and new opportunities. To let light into your life during Beltane, focus on grounding yourself and connecting with the physical realm. It suggests that you invite light by nurturing your physical well-being, appreciating the beauty of nature, and being open to new financial or material blessings. Embrace the energy of abundance and cultivate gratitude for the blessings in your life.
Card Four – Five of Cups
The Five of Cups represents feelings of loss, disappointment, and grief. In the context of this spread, Beltane is an ideal time to release and heal from past emotional wounds or disappointments. It encourages you to let go of any lingering regrets, resentments, or negative emotions holding you back. By releasing these burdens, you can make space for new experiences and emotional growth.
Card Five – High Priestess
The High Priestess represents intuition, mystery, and the subconscious mind. This card indicates that during Beltane, your spiritual and intuitive abilities are ripe for growth. By connecting with your inner wisdom and embracing your intuition, you can tap into hidden knowledge and unlock new realms of understanding. Trust your instincts and explore your spiritual path with curiosity and openness.
Card Six – Judgment
The Judgment card signifies a spiritual awakening, renewal, and a fresh start. In manifesting abundance during Beltane, we encourage you to embrace self-reflection and self-evaluation. By reassessing your values, goals, and life purpose, you can make conscious choices that align with your true desires and attract abundance into your life. This card reminds you to listen to your inner calling and take inspired action towards your dreams.
Therefore, it is suggested that you face some significant changes and shifts during Beltane. As you do, embrace it as you find your inner spark so you can explore new ideas and projects to focus on during the new season. And you will want to ground yourself during the process while also focusing on letting go of past disappointments. You can find ways to do that by tapping into your wisdom and intuition. Allowing yourself to evolve is how you can manifest abundance.
Beltane is on May 1st and is halfway between the Ostara (spring equinox) and the Litha (summer solstice), which means this is the time to welcome the summer season. You can get into the spirit of this Sabbat by creating a bonfire if your area allows it, making a maypole, having a barbeque, creating an altar with summer colors flowers, and knowing that you can enjoy the lovely weather for the upcoming season. Winter is long over.
