BELTANE

(April 30th-May 1st)

Also Known As:

May Day
Rood Day

Rudemas
Walpurgisnacht

    This is the Sabbat that most Pagans consider to be thier favourite and most important.  It represents the Great Fertility Rite of  Life.  This traditionally starts at dusk on the 30th and ends at dawn on the 1st. Beltane is also devoted to flirting, courting, and falling in love. The God and Goddess come together on this day and concieve the Sun Child.
     Beltane is also the most discouraged Sabbat by Christians because of it's unashemedly sexual meanings and celebrations. Traditionaly, the night before, (the 30th) couples would take to the woods and feilds to make love. They believed that this helped and encouraged the crops to grow.
     The main celebration of this Sabbat is the May Pole Dance.  This is something that has remained a Pagan tradition, unchanged thorought the many centuries and the Catholic ridden Ireland.It is basically a large Phallic symbol (a pole) representing the god,  with streamers or vines of flowers hung to the sides representing the fertile womb..  The men and women dance  around winding the ribbons or vines drawing the energy of the sky God down to the Body of the Earth Goddess. Those participating are assisting in the sacred marriage of the Deites.
     Beltane is also on of the Fire Festivals. Therefore, there are often bonfires lit.  It is also customary to leap over the fires to bless a relationship or bring fertility.  Clothing is very optional on this Sabbat and if it is worn, it is very sensual and colourfull.  This is also a time of many marriages and handfastings in the Pagan community.  This is the Sabat of Happines, Ferlitliy and  free love!

Traditional Ritual Herbs:

Primrose
Roses
Satyrion Root
Woodruff

Ivy
Lilac
Marigold
Meadowsweet

Cinquefoil
Daisy
Frankincense
Hawthorn

Almond
Angelica
Ash Tree
Bluebells

Yellow Cowslips

Traditional Altar Decorations:

Small Maypole
Phallus-Shaped Candle (symbolizes Fertility)
Daisy Chain
Springtime Wildflowers

Incense:

Frankincense
Lilac
Rose

Sabbat Gemstones or Jewels:

Emerald
Orange Carnelian
Sapphire
Rose Quartz

Sabbat Dieties:

Flora (Roman  Flower Goddess)
Lunar Goddesses Diana and Artemis
Pan (Greek Horned-Goat God of Woodlands, Fields, and Fertility)
All Gods and Goddesses who preside over Fertlity

Foods:

Candle Colours:

All Red Fruits
Green Herbal Salads
Wine Punch
Oatmeal or Barley Beltane Cakes

Dark Green
Love Red
All Rainbow Colours