Witch Willows WanderingsBELTANE - THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE
April 15th 2008 00:23
BELTANE (bell-tayn) HAS ALWAYS BEEN ONE OF MY FAVORITE SABBATS. It is the solar opposite to Yule and on the Celtic calender, these two sabbats are the most important. They mark the beginning and ending of the recognized seasons.
Beltane falls on May first and it’s a celebration that’s full of joy, vitality, and dare I say it, sexual undertones. It is all about life; new life, renewed life…continued life…and is celebrated with gusto, and a lack of inhibition. So, let me tell you about Beltane (also spelled Beltaine, Bhealltainn)
Beltane is celebrated throughout the world and while customs may vary somewhat, much of the ritual and celebration remains the same. The most popular belief among pagans is that the world Beltane comes from a word meaning “bale fire.” Even today bale fires are lit all over Ireland and England on May eve, just as they were in the past. In Europe, many other cultures sought out high places, (atop mountains or high hills) to light their bale fires. In Russia, holly is tossed into the fire to recognize that the holly king will return, and aromatic herbs are also added to create ritual incense. In still other traditions, it was a custom to have two people light the bale fire by striking 2 flints together, symbolizing the union of both goddess and god. In other areas of the world, old brooms were tossed on the fire, having made new ones during the long winter months.
It is traditional to bring home a piece ( ember)of the bale fire to bring summer blessings into your home. The first cook fires of summer were lit from this small ember of the bale fire. In most villages throughout the world, regardless of tradition, it was common that all other fires throughout the village or town would be extinguished and the bale fire would have to be lit first. All other hearth fires could be lit from the bale fire or at the very least, would be relit after the celebration of Beltane.
Beltane is steeped in faery lore. Daisy chains were woven and worn around the neck or on the head like a crown for protection. Cows were fed dill for this same reason. While the Celts honored and respected the faery folk, they also understood that the Fae could be pranksters and if provoked, could get downright mean. Is it any wonder then that bells play a big part in the Beltane festivities? Faery folk dislike the ringing of bells as it is said to hurt their ears. So many who celebrate Beltane or danced around the may pole wore bells. Dancers usually wore ankle bells. If you’d like to wear bells for your Beltane celebration simply get some white or red (or both) ribbons, cut a piece of each (one for each ankle) string several bells on each of the ribbons and tie them on your ankles. The white color signifies the Virgin Goddess, while the red stands for the Sun God. Bells are often placed on the pagan altars and outside around the house. Today, the equivalent of bells, our modern wind chimes still keep away the unwanted or uninvited fae.
During Beltane, the “great rite” is performed. This tradition is widely misunderstood and has been much maligned by the Patriarchal Religions. The great rite symbolizes the union of the Lord and Lady, the God and Goddess from whom all creation flows. The rite is performed by one male and one female who represent the two polarities of diety. Symbolically, they unite sexually by placing a knife or athame
(a’-thum-aye) which represents the male aspect or the phallus, into a chalice; which represents the female aspect. Organized religions try to use this as proof of the sinfulness and immorality of paganism. Please keep in mind that these rites and rituals are SYMBOLIC. Also, remember that pagans believe that when two people consent to a union, it honors the goddess and the very energy their joining creates is the energy of all life. Pagans follow the rule of “harm none, do what ye will.” Sexual pleasure is one of the gifts from the Mother.
Ashes from bale fires were spread over fields to insure good crops. It was also common to drive herds of sheep or cattle through the bale fire as the blaze waned to insure that the animals would be healthy and protected.
Anything that you wish to purify and consecrate can be done through the smoke of the Beltane bale fire. Ritual items, newly obtained altar items and anything else you wish to purify and protect can be done simply by passing them through the smoke of the fire. You can also purify yourself for your sabbat ritual by walking through the smoke. Because ritual purification is an important aspect of pagan practice, it is best to cleanse oneself prior to any ritual or participation in sabbat celebrations.
The May pole dance is still enacted today throughout the world. It is another way of celebrating the fertility of the earth, and is again symbolic of the coming together of the male and female aspects of creation. The pole itself is symbolic of the male phallus. The ribbons, traditionally red and white (again symbolizing the virgin goddess and the sun god) are woven in a dance where male and female participants weave between one another, in mock sexual union. The weaving of the ribbons themselves are representative of weaving a “womb” around the pole.
More recently, may pole today are decorated with ribbons of various colors, pastels are interwoven with the red and white to signify all the colors of the spring blossoms, and the re-greening of mother earth.
Our pagan ancestors decorated for Beltane as much, if not more than they did for Yule. Spring flowers were brought into the homes and petals were strewn along with herbs for luck. Drab and heavy clothing of the winter months were cast off and in their place lighter weight and more colorful garments were worn in celebration of Beltane.
Beltane is a lusty, joyful celebration. Our pagan ancestors took time from their fields and chores to rejoice and enjoy some frivolity and fun.
It is a time to look toward the coming year with anticipation, to welcome the warmth of the sun and enjoy the beauty of the season. It is a time to remember that all living creatures enjoy the beauty of spring after a long, cold winter. It is a time for young men to profess their love to their lady love. For a young man to present his lady with flowers on Beltane in public was to ask for her hand, if she accepted the flowers they were as good as engaged.
So bring in the light, bring in the flowers, and enjoy the season of Beltane. Life is an ever renewing circle that changes with the seasons. Celebrate life.
Blessed Beltane
White Willow
Beltane falls on May first and it’s a celebration that’s full of joy, vitality, and dare I say it, sexual undertones. It is all about life; new life, renewed life…continued life…and is celebrated with gusto, and a lack of inhibition. So, let me tell you about Beltane (also spelled Beltaine, Bhealltainn)
Beltane is celebrated throughout the world and while customs may vary somewhat, much of the ritual and celebration remains the same. The most popular belief among pagans is that the world Beltane comes from a word meaning “bale fire.” Even today bale fires are lit all over Ireland and England on May eve, just as they were in the past. In Europe, many other cultures sought out high places, (atop mountains or high hills) to light their bale fires. In Russia, holly is tossed into the fire to recognize that the holly king will return, and aromatic herbs are also added to create ritual incense. In still other traditions, it was a custom to have two people light the bale fire by striking 2 flints together, symbolizing the union of both goddess and god. In other areas of the world, old brooms were tossed on the fire, having made new ones during the long winter months.
Beltane is steeped in faery lore. Daisy chains were woven and worn around the neck or on the head like a crown for protection. Cows were fed dill for this same reason. While the Celts honored and respected the faery folk, they also understood that the Fae could be pranksters and if provoked, could get downright mean. Is it any wonder then that bells play a big part in the Beltane festivities? Faery folk dislike the ringing of bells as it is said to hurt their ears. So many who celebrate Beltane or danced around the may pole wore bells. Dancers usually wore ankle bells. If you’d like to wear bells for your Beltane celebration simply get some white or red (or both) ribbons, cut a piece of each (one for each ankle) string several bells on each of the ribbons and tie them on your ankles. The white color signifies the Virgin Goddess, while the red stands for the Sun God. Bells are often placed on the pagan altars and outside around the house. Today, the equivalent of bells, our modern wind chimes still keep away the unwanted or uninvited fae.
During Beltane, the “great rite” is performed. This tradition is widely misunderstood and has been much maligned by the Patriarchal Religions. The great rite symbolizes the union of the Lord and Lady, the God and Goddess from whom all creation flows. The rite is performed by one male and one female who represent the two polarities of diety. Symbolically, they unite sexually by placing a knife or athame
(a’-thum-aye) which represents the male aspect or the phallus, into a chalice; which represents the female aspect. Organized religions try to use this as proof of the sinfulness and immorality of paganism. Please keep in mind that these rites and rituals are SYMBOLIC. Also, remember that pagans believe that when two people consent to a union, it honors the goddess and the very energy their joining creates is the energy of all life. Pagans follow the rule of “harm none, do what ye will.” Sexual pleasure is one of the gifts from the Mother.
Ashes from bale fires were spread over fields to insure good crops. It was also common to drive herds of sheep or cattle through the bale fire as the blaze waned to insure that the animals would be healthy and protected.
Anything that you wish to purify and consecrate can be done through the smoke of the Beltane bale fire. Ritual items, newly obtained altar items and anything else you wish to purify and protect can be done simply by passing them through the smoke of the fire. You can also purify yourself for your sabbat ritual by walking through the smoke. Because ritual purification is an important aspect of pagan practice, it is best to cleanse oneself prior to any ritual or participation in sabbat celebrations.
The May pole dance is still enacted today throughout the world. It is another way of celebrating the fertility of the earth, and is again symbolic of the coming together of the male and female aspects of creation. The pole itself is symbolic of the male phallus. The ribbons, traditionally red and white (again symbolizing the virgin goddess and the sun god) are woven in a dance where male and female participants weave between one another, in mock sexual union. The weaving of the ribbons themselves are representative of weaving a “womb” around the pole.
More recently, may pole today are decorated with ribbons of various colors, pastels are interwoven with the red and white to signify all the colors of the spring blossoms, and the re-greening of mother earth.
Our pagan ancestors decorated for Beltane as much, if not more than they did for Yule. Spring flowers were brought into the homes and petals were strewn along with herbs for luck. Drab and heavy clothing of the winter months were cast off and in their place lighter weight and more colorful garments were worn in celebration of Beltane.
Beltane is a lusty, joyful celebration. Our pagan ancestors took time from their fields and chores to rejoice and enjoy some frivolity and fun.
It is a time to look toward the coming year with anticipation, to welcome the warmth of the sun and enjoy the beauty of the season. It is a time to remember that all living creatures enjoy the beauty of spring after a long, cold winter. It is a time for young men to profess their love to their lady love. For a young man to present his lady with flowers on Beltane in public was to ask for her hand, if she accepted the flowers they were as good as engaged.
So bring in the light, bring in the flowers, and enjoy the season of Beltane. Life is an ever renewing circle that changes with the seasons. Celebrate life.
Blessed Beltane
White Willow
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