Beltane marks the half way point between the Spring equinox and the Summer Solstice, marking one of the 8 key points in the solar cycle in the wheel of the year. Celebrated on the first of May, Beltane is a time of fire, fertility, and festivity. From the Gaelic “Bealtaine,” likely translating to “Bright Fire,” it’s one of four yearly fire festivals reminding us of the ever changing cycles of the Earth and her seasons.
Due to it most commonly being celebrated on May 1st, it is often referred to as May Day around the world. Historically, the bonfires kindled during Beltane were believed to have protective powers, and people would leap over the flames for luck, ignite the fireplaces in their homes and towns for protection and run their livestock through corridors of flames in order to purify and cleanse them from disease before moving them to summer pastures.
As the wheel of the year turns, we find ourselves at the threshold of summer. The Celts feasted and commemorated this day in reflection of the life giving force in all things. The flowers are blooming, the fields are sown or being sown and will also bring about new life for the harvest.
Beltane is a fertility festival for all things and a celebration of the pleasures in life. It’s no wonder it falls in Taurus season. Dancing around the maypole is a common tradition now, symbolizing fertility, growth and the interconnectedness of all things (especially where the community is concerned). The colorful ribbons attached to the pole are held by dancers who’s movements around one another weave together a tapestry of vibrancy.
This is a beautifully symbolic tradition of how each of us come together to create a community of diversity and strength. On our own, our individuality is plain and singular but together we can create so much more.
In ancient pagan tradition, it was seen as the wedding and union of the god and goddess that brought forth all life. Sexuality and fertility are a big correspondence of the holiday and can be seen in many of it’s aspects. I could probably do a whole article/podcast episode on how taking the sexuality out of traditional celebrations has done us more harm than good culturally but I don’t think you came here for that.
On the wheel of the year calendar, it’s directly opposite of Samhain, or Halloween, therefore is the vibrational opposite of it. Whereas Samhain celebrates the end of the harvest, those who have passed, our ancestors and the darkness, Beltane celebrates the beginning of the harvest, light, life and birth. Both are associated with the thinning of the veil between this world and the next.
The Wheel of the Year is a beautiful representation of nature’s cyclical journey. It encompasses not just the changing seasons but also the inherent duality that exists within the natural world. Just as day gives way to night, and winter eventually surrenders to spring, the Wheel acknowledges both light and dark, life and death.
Light and dark, death and life, are not separate entities but 2 sides of the same coin. One cannot exist without the other. We wouldn’t understand the vibrant beauty of life without knowing the cold darkness of death and winter. We spend a lot of time these days trying to avoid the dark sides of life and for it, have created an unbalance within ourselves.
Bon fires and flowers are staples of this sabbat as communities would gather to feast and frolic. Images of flower crowns and dancing around may poles to celebrate the union of life in all of it’s aspects. Beltane is a time for joy, love and all things sweet in this world.
Bringing back these community celebrations could do us all a lot of good. So many of us feel disconnected to each other, ourselves and everything in between. We don’t know how to bridge the gap we feel to reach the longing in our souls. Coming together to acknowledge the natural milestones we all face and bring meaning to the mundane could serve to be the antidote we’re all starving for.
Beltane Aspects
- Love
- Passion
- Fire
- Flowers
- Sexuality
- Life
- Light
- May pole
- Green
- Yellow
- Pink
- Blue
- Abundance
- Prosperity
Fire is a form of purification. It is believed that it cleansed the land and it’s people. Anything fire related is appropriate for this fire festival but please make sure you’re always using proper fire safety.
Abundance and prosperity are prevalent in this celebration because winter is finally officially behind us and spring is in full bloom. Summer and easier times are just around the corner and we are all blessed.
Beltane Essential oils
Any flowery, aphrodisiac-y and passionate laden essential oil is perfect for Beltane.
Floral and Aphrodisiac Essential Oils for Beltane:
- Ylang Ylang: This exotic oil boasts a sweet, floral aroma that’s known for its calming and mood-elevating properties. It’s also considered an aphrodisiac, promoting feelings of romance and sensuality.
- Jasmine: Another sweetly floral oil, jasmine is associated with love, sensuality, and confidence. Its intoxicating fragrance can set a romantic mood and heighten intimacy.
- Rose: The quintessential love oil, rose offers a complex aroma that can be both calming and uplifting. It’s associated with love, passion, and deep emotional connection.
Spicy and Warming Essential Oils:
- Cinnamon: With its warm, spicy scent, cinnamon is a powerful oil that can stimulate the senses and create a sense of excitement. It’s also considered to be symbolic of prosperity and abundance.
- Ginger: Similar to cinnamon, ginger has a stimulating and invigorating aroma that can spark passion and creativity. Traditionally, ginger is associated with good luck and new beginnings.
- Sandalwood: This woody, musky oil has a grounding and calming effect, but it can also add a touch of sensuality to the atmosphere. Sandalwood is associated with spiritual connection and heightened awareness.
- Essential oils are potent and should always be diluted before use. A common method is to add a few drops of your chosen oil to a carrier oil, such as almond oil or jojoba oil, before applying it topically.
- If you have any health concerns, consult with a healthcare professional before using essential oils.
Additional Tips:
- When selecting essential oils for Beltane, consider the overall atmosphere you want to create. Do you desire a romantic and sensual mood, or are you looking for something more stimulating and invigorating?
- Essential oils can be diffused in the air, added to bathwater, or diluted for topical application (avoiding sensitive areas).
- Experiment with different blends to find what resonates most with you for your Beltane celebrations.
Remember, essential oils are a wonderful way to enhance your Beltane experience, but the true magic comes from connecting with the vibrant energy of the season itself.
Beltane Crystals
Any stones that associate with love of self and/or others as well as those tied to abundance and prosperity.
Love and Self-Love Stones:
- Rose Quartz: This gentle pink stone is a classic for matters of the heart. It’s believed to promote self-love, compassion, and emotional healing, creating a foundation for healthy relationships with others.
- Carnelian: Carnelian’s warm orange hue resonates with passion, motivation, and creativity. It’s said to boost confidence and encourage openness to love, both for oneself and others.
- Garnet: Depending on its color variety, garnet can represent different types of love. Red garnet is associated with passionate love, while pink garnet leans towards a gentler, more compassionate love. All garnets are believed to promote feelings of security and self-worth.
Abundance and Prosperity Stones:
- Green Aventurine: Often referred to as the “Stone of Opportunity,” Green Aventurine is said to attract luck, abundance, and prosperity. Its vibrant green hue reflects the flourishing life force of spring.
- Citrine: Nicknamed the “Success Stone,” Citrine is believed to manifest abundance and attract wealth. Its bright yellow color resonates with the warmth and optimism of Beltane.
- Pyrite: With its shiny, metallic luster, Pyrite has long been associated with wealth and abundance. Nicknamed “Fool’s Gold,” it’s said to attract prosperity and spark creativity, both qualities important for achieving one’s goals.
Additional Tips:
- When choosing Beltane stones, consider your own personal intentions. Are you seeking self-love or passionate love? Do you want to attract general abundance or focus on career success?
- You can incorporate these stones into your Beltane celebrations by placing them on your altar, carrying them with you, or meditating with them.
- Remember, crystals are tools to enhance your own energy and intentions. The real magick lies within you!
Beltane Food
Traditionally, Beltane was the time of the first slaughter and also a celebration of fertility so traditional Beltane food consists of meat and dairy.
If you’re vegan, I’ve got some options for you below. It’s also a time for pies, cookies, cakes and breads which I also try to stay away from so I feel your pain if you’re looking for healthy Beltane alternatives.
Tap into your local farmer’s market and check out what’s in season in your region right now. That’s by far the best way to select your Beltane food!
- Summer berries
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Blackberries
- Currants
- Elderberries
- Gooseberries
- Loganberries
- Raspberries
- Salmon berries
- Saskatoon berries
- Summer wines
- Those made with any of the above berries
- Summer greens
- Arugula
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Swiss chard
- Collard Greens
- Kale
- Lamb’s Quarters
- Lettuce
- Mustard Greens
- Purslane
- Rapini
- Sorrel
- Spinach
- Watercress
- Salads
- Buddha bowls
- Nut cheeses
- Herbs
- Thyme
- Tarragon
- Sage
- Rosemary
- Oregano
- Nettles
- Mint
- Cilantro
- Chives
Anything that’s currently in season is perfect! If you have any Beltane recipes you’d like to share, PLEASE drop them in the comments! You’d be doing a great service to us all!
Beltane Rituals
- Meditate and set intentions based on love (self and otherwise), abundance, rebirth, prosperity and the beauty of nature.
- Plant your herb garden if you didn’t already do that during Ostara.
- Reignite passion projects. Fire festivals are a point of in between when we pour more fuel into life to get us to the next point. Use this energy to fuel a project of yours that needs more ‘umph.’
- Dance around a may pole. This was traditionally symbolic of the sacred union of the god and goddess on their wedding day that would lead to the creation of all life. But who doesn’t love a reason to dance?
- Make some flower crowns! In this culture, we use whatever is around us and abundant in nature. Everything is flowering this time of year. Take what you use sparingly, after asking with respect to the plant it comes from and thank it for it’s sacrifice to you. Remember to save plenty for pollinators and reproduction of the plant!
- Dew on Beltane morning has magickal potency. Wash your face and body with it and be fair all year.
- Twigs of the Rowan tree are hung over doorways as a form of protection.
Celts would leap over the fire for purification and fertility and would guide their live stock through a path of fire on either side to kill of any remaining winter disease for good milk yield and a healthy herd.
Ultimately, Beltane is yours to do with what you will. Whatever feels right for you is what you should be doing. Make it special and celebrate in a way that matters to you with all of your friends and family. Leave a comment telling us how you celebrate/plan to celebrate!
Beltane Journaling
Beltane is a time to reflect on the connection with the universe, nature and the energies we all have. Light a candle, burn some incense or diffuse some essential oils and sit with your thoughts on the energy of the sabbat.
- What do you want to breathe new energy into? What do you desire to create, birth into your life?
- Do you connect with your sexuality or suppress it? It is a natural part of life that your confidence and self esteem need approval of in order to thrive.
- What pleasures do you take part in regularly? What pleasures do you deny yourself?
- What seeds do you want to figuratively plant now so that you may harvest in the fall?
- Note all of the things you have in your life to be thankful for.
Beltane Affirmations:
- Life blooms all around me.
- I bloom and grow continuously.
- The universe gives life to my desires.
- Pleasure is sacred.
- I am beautiful as I am part of nature.
- I am cleansed of the hardships of my past.
- I am in a state of rebirth.
Tell us in the comments below what your Beltane affirmation is!
Other Articles that may interest you:
- Ostara; The Celebration of the Spring Equinox
- Make a Lucky Jar for Manifesting Abundance
- Aquamarine; the stone of mermaids
- How to Create Sacred Space
Author
S.S.Blake; Confidence Coach, Yoga + Meditation Teacher and Founder of Earth and Water
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