What is Beltane?

Beltane is Sabbat midway between the Spring Equinox (Ostara) and the Summer Solstice (Midsummer/Litha). This Sabbat is closely related to the Celtic Balefire festivals and the Roman Festivals of Floralia, the festival of flowers, and Bona Dea, a fire festival. Many pagan traditions believe this is a time when the “veil is thin” and it is easy for the Fae to pass the boundary into our world. During this time, many people leave offerings for the Fae and may ask favors of them.

Beltane is seen as a time of celebrating the God and Goddess coming together to bring fertility and creativity to the world. A common tradition was for people to dance around a Maypole to symbolize their union. The Green Man and the May Queen are common imagery associated with this holiday as well.

Themes: Abundance, Creation, Fertility, Growth, Love, Psychic Abilities, Purification, Sexuality, Union, Cooperation, Manifestation, Passion, Protection

Colors: Brown, Green, Pink, White, Yellow

Stones/Crystals: Bloodstone, Emerald, Rose Quartz

Imagery/Symbols/Animals: Bees, Cow, Dove, Frog, Rabbit, Flowers, Maypole, Priapic Wand

Gods/Goddesses: Apollo, Baldur, Beal/Bel/Belenos, Cernunnos, Chung K'uei, Horned God, Odin, Pan, Pluto, Ra, Wotan, Aphrodite, Artemis, Astarte, Bona Dea, Chin-hua-fu-jen, Danu, Diana, Flora, Freya, Horae, Maia, Prosperina, Rauni, Sarasvati, Venus

Herbs/Flowers/Trees: Lemon, Mint, Mugwort, Woodruff, Daisy, Ivy, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Violet, Birch, Hawthorn, Oak, Pine, Willow

Crafts/Activities/Acts of Service: Bringing in the May, Decorating May Bush, May Baskets, Divination, Feasting, Fertility magic, Handfastings, Lighting Bonfires, Making offerings to deities/ancestors and the Fae, Maypole dancing, Nature walks, Purification ceremonies, Protection rituals, fertility acts/rites, Singing, Visiting wells, Planting trees, Cleaning up water sources, Removing litter, Working in a community garden

Beltane Spell

This spell is a simple one from Amy’s BOS. It requires a white candle, pen, piece of paper, and oil (optional). I used sunflower oil because of its correspondence with the solar elements of the Sabbat. Write down your wishes you would like to see manifest in your life. Especially effective if you have a relationship with the Fae and leave them an offering

On this blessed and holy night,

White candle, help my wish take flight.

My wishes manifest for me,

As I will so mote it be.

(You can repeat this spell on any Sabbat you chose, but Beltane was the first one I tried it on.)

Beltane Craft

If you are unable to attend a Beltane Celebration with a Maypole, you can always make a small one for your home altar.

Items needed:

• Base for Maypole

• Small stick/dowel rod

• Ribbons of different colors

• Decorations for the top.

Drill a small hole or use an adhesive to attach the “pole” to the base. Next, adhere the ribbons by gluing them or using another ribbon to tie them to the top. Finally, add your decorations to the top. You can be very creative on this, if time allows. Google “Altar Maypoles” for inspiration!