Celebrating Beltane By Rachel Lisi And now the Sun King has become a young man and has fallen in love with the beauty of the earth. Aphrodite, Freyja, Siff, Cerridwen, Persephone and Demeter all bless the world with their grace. This is a time of love, fertility, beauty, rebirth, purification, merriment.   I woke up the other day to the smell of morning. There is no other time when it is as potent as during the wee hours of spring when everything is newborn, including the dawn.  It was refreshing and like a chick about to pop out of its shell, it made me want to stretch and get up rather than remain under my cozy blankets.  It made me feel alive. This is the same spirit that the Beltane holiday celebrates.  Life, love, rebirth and sex are all dawns that we humans enjoy waking up to and with.  There is much to rejoice especially in today's world where rejoicing almost seems like a guilty pleasure, but in reality is a necessity.    So after all that has happened between last Beltane and the next, how can we celebrate?  There are many ways to welcome in this beautiful time of year both traditional and unique, but all are simple and full of joy.  Dancing around the maypole is one tradition that is very popular and quite fun.  The maypole is known to be an ancient fertility symbol.  In older days it was a tree that was used rather than a pole symbolizing the roots in the earth and the branches towards the sky encompassing all and in between.  You can create your own maypole for your friends or family by attaching ribbons to the top of a pole or tree for each person and dancing around the pole weaving in and out braiding the ribbons until they reach the end.    Another idea is to gather some friends together for a beautiful spring picnic complete with Beltane inspired recipes (offered below) enjoying what the goddess has bestowed upon us.  I find that taking an early morning stroll in the morning and truly paying attention to the world allows for a true and most succulent celebration of the glories of spring.  The world has been dew kissed.  The birds serenade the sunrise and all other creatures are busy getting ready to start their day.  I feel I am an integral part of the nature that has always existed about me at this time.   Involve your children in this springtime feast of fun as well!  Some simple Beltane crafts for children that are most fun are creating Beltane/Spring baskets for them to collect flowers and dew.  You can use paints, stickers, margarine tubs, construction paper, pipe cleaners, paper cupcake cups or whatever your imagination conjures to make the baskets!  When the children have gone out to collect the flowers give them something to leave the faeries and thanks to the goddess such as bits of rosewater cookies (recipe below)!  Read them stories that are rich with ideas about the earth and nature.  A wonderful book to read to children is called Child of Faerie, Child of Earth by Jane Yolen and Jane Dyer.  A fantastic website that is full of faery lore, crafts and recipes that all children young and old can enjoy is The Faery Crossing (http://www.thefaerycrossing.com/).    Another wonderful way to celebrate Beltane is by being aware of ways in which to help mend our environment.  Take the family out and plant a tree or a garden.  Do not use your car for the whole day.  Go to pick up trash in your local park.  Conserve on your water and electricity.  And most importantly take some time during the day to read up on the environmental concerns that are present today and what you can do to help.   Creativity is most important for this time of year as it awakens and exercises our minds.  Create your own spring ritual and spend the day or evening praying to the goddesses and gods of your choice thanking them for their gifts.  Because this is a time for purification another suggestion is taking a cleansing ritual bath with blessed salts, candles, incense, prayer and a warm bath saturated with herbs such as hyssop and flower essences such as rose and lavender.  Afterwards, you can cast your own circle and meditate.  A ritual is not the only destination for the creative path.  You can paint, write, play an instrument, sing, draw, sculpt, garden, cook, build something or create anything that allows you to utilize your talents that are a true gift in and of themselves.   Beltane can also be a time for remembrance and gratitude.  There are many emotions within our hearts these days that need to be set free.  In this time of discord around the world, being thankful for our blessings is crucial.  Praying for the ending of the suffering of others and for peace is just as urgent.  A dear friend of mine suggested we all combine our individual power of prayer by lighting a white two hour candle in the name of wisdom, peace and love on Beltane.  Celebrate by thanking your friends, families and partners for the love they have bestowed upon you.  Write a letter to your favorite poet or musician or artist thanking them for moving your heart and soul.  Feel your senses fully awaken and play with the elements!  Leave a little extra money in the tip to the waitress who brought you extra mayo.  Smile at a stranger.  Sing!  Coo at a baby.  Rejoice!   Enjoy your delicious self, life and your loved ones in these opening days of the summer's blessing of growth and harvest.  Blessed be!

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