The Pagan Heart
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May 2005 Issue
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Beltaine
By Nokomis Dream
How do you celebrate Beltaine? As you are finding out, I am pretty new to my path, and am very excited about Beltaine this year. The beginning of planting season, (thank you, Mary Q for all your help there!), and the promise of summer has always been so welcome to my cold bones. Beltaine starts on April 30th and lasts until May 1st, which is also known as "May Day" (there is also the cross-quarter day method of determining the date, based upon the day that falls half way between the Vernal Equinox and Summer Solstice - 5th to 6th of May). Interestingly, as a child, we always did special arts and crafts, and had picnics on the first of May. My sister was adamant that her wedding be on "May Day", and boy did she get her way! Little did we know that we were honoring our ancient spiritual ancestors by acknowledging Beltaine. I think that so much of who we are is "old knowledge", kind of just inborn knowing of things from old times. I feel that with so much of life - things that I shouldn't know because I haven't been taught, but yet somehow I do know. So let me share my newfound information with you, as we revel in the coming of the warm season. In these modern times people choose to celebrate in a variety of ways. There are many groups that get together for a big weekend of workshops, music, parades, magic shows, bonfires and the May pole. Yes, the May pole is alive and well in 2005! Talking of the May pole reminds me - I discovered a beautiful erotic ritual as well, for 2 or more people to participate in at the website of the Tuatha de Brighid Druid Clan (see below). Indeed, let's not forget, that celebrating fertility is a major part of this holiday, and modern Pagans not only accept but greatly enjoy focusing on the erotic pleasure of this day. Of course there is more to it than simply sexual pleasure - one has to eat, sometime! There are feasts, and the ceremonial extinguishing of winter's fire, and the relighting of those flames using the Bealtaine fire. Blossoms are used for decorating, and spring is truly in the air. As mentioned, Beltaine was celebrated over two days, April 30th through May 1st, starting at sundown as the ancient Celts considered a day to be from sunset to sunset. It was primarily honored by peoples in Western Europe, and the British Isles, as another one of the great "fire festivals" of the year, along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnassadh. We continue to celebrate as they did - venerating fertility, the return of light and end of the dark winter, and the celebration of life. This was the time of year to plant, and to give thanks to Mother Earth for sustaining life. Animals were birthing their young, and people were finally able to get out and enjoy the outdoors. The return of the sun, after a long dark winter must have been very welcome indeed, as these people were without the electricity and heat that we take for granted in these days. There is some disagreement as to what Beltaine stands for. One idea is that it is named for Bel, or Belenus, sun god of the Gauls, whose feast day is on May 1st. Perhaps it is named for Beli, who gives his name to the bael fire. Depending on who you ask, there seems to be different answers. What is predominant, is that this sabbat is in celebration of the love and marriage of the God and Goddess, the child of which will be born at Imbolc, the next year. On Beltaine Eve, the hearth fires were ceremoniously extinguished at sunset, and the ashes were thrown into the fields to ensure good crops for the coming year. Fresh bonfires would then be lit by the Druids, and as night deepened, the cattle were driven between them to ensure year-long protection from disease. Fire has always been an important part of the festivities that mark one the turning points of the Celtic New Year. Many theories abound, but the idea that the fire represents the sun, purifies and cleanses and fills the worshippers with magical blessings is popular, and from what we know of the Celts seems likely. There are claims that the festival honours Belinos, a fertility god - the accuracy of this historically is unknown as Belinos was definitely a continental deity, not of Ireland or Britain. Human participants also "jumped" the fires, probably as a way to draw fertility to them. Around midnight, it was customary to go out and gather flowers and other greenery to decorate yourself and your home. On the way home, revelers would leave flowers at houses along the way. The maypole was also a large part of the festivities. Originally simply a tall, delimbed, debarked tree, buried deep in the ground for stability decorated wonly with a crown atop it, over time it evolved to the modern version with ribbons. Nowadays, males and females hold brightly colored streamers attached to the de-limbed tree. Dancing about the obvious phallic symbol, males one direction, females the other, they wind their fabric around the tree. The May pole dancing is one of many activities held at Beltaine - people engaged in other dances, mummery, games, and the feasting as they celebrated. At the night fires, couples would pair off, sometimes with their usual partner, and sometimes with a new partner, for some private time. Greenwood marriages - good for the night only. If you were lucky enough to conceive at this time, your child was thought to be a gift of the gods. These children were called "Merry Be Gots". An interesting note here, in 1644 the Puritans declared the May pole illegal. They were horrified at the "May Day" practices, most of all the men and women who paired up for the Greenwood marriages. These young people went out for the entire night, and at sunrise brought back flowers and greenery to decorate their villages. It's no surprise that the Puritans tried to get rid of these festivities - makes one wonder just how many "Merry Be Gots" came of this night out! Beltaine is alive and well, and there are many ways that you can celebrate. Around the world, groups of Pagans get together for a long weekend of merry making, complete with bonfires, magic shows, barbecuing, and generally a camplike atmosphere. Make a headpiece out of spring blossoms and later throw it into a body of water. This is a blessing to the spirits of the water. Go enjoy nature, and have a picnic at your favorite outdoor spot. Be sure to add berries, eggs, herbal tea or wine, and green salads. At dawn, women can wash their faces in the dew to make themselves beautiful. This is reminiscent of the old Mother Goose rhyme: "The fair maid who, the first of May, goes to the fields at the break of day and washes in dew from the hawthorn-tree will ever handsome be". Men, wash your hands, and it will enhance your skills. It is believed that if you make a ring out of a rowan sprig, and you look through it, you may be able to see fairies. Wear flowers in your hair and spend time with your loved ones. Make up a May basket, filling it with flowers and kindness, and give it to someone who may need some cheering up. Burn some incense, such as Musk, Clove, Cinnamon, Patchouli, and Jasmine. Make a bonfire, if you live in a place where it's appropriate, and (carefully) jump over the flames! Or, if you can't have an actual bonfire, light a candle and jump over that. It's not the size of the flame, but what it stands for! And of course, if you can have a May pole, then enjoy that ancient practice. And give thanks to the God and/or Goddess in your life.
Staines Morris Come ye young men come along, with your music dance and song
CHORUS
'Tis the choice time of the year, and the violets now appear,
Chorus And when you were reckoned bold, kisses you your sweetheart gave,
Chorus And when you've well spent your time, and the day is past its' prime,
Chorus Come ye young men come along, with your music dance and song,
Chorus
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Primary Article - Frigga Blot - Sacrifice for Frigga
Secondary Article - Sheela na gig
Return to the Index of articles for Seasonal Festivals
