Beltane (May Day)

Other Names: Valpurga, Mean Earraigh, Bealteinne, Beltaine, Beltainne, Roodmas, Calin Mai.

Date: May 1 or when the sun is at 15 degress Taurus.

Meaning of the Word: Beltane means “bright fire” or “lucky fire”.

Primary Focus: Appearance of the matured Horned God, fertility, protection of animals and gardens, leaping the fire for a fortunate summer, love magicks.

Age of Holiday: Said to be the oldest known holiday.

Popular Mythos: Maypole dancing, tenuous link to the Celtic Belenus.

Astrological Sign: 15 degree Taurus; earth; fixed.

Planetary Ruler: Venus.

Of the seasonal European festivals, Beltane and Samhain, the two great fire festivals, seem to have held the most cultural and religious focus. May Day observances are thought to be drawn from two sources: the fire rites from Celtic tradition, and the flower rites from the Roman Floralia. In Celtic tradition, the night before Beltane, all fires in the land were doused. A little before dawn the people would gather the nine sacred woods and prepare them for the birthing of the new fire, which was thought to purify the air of all evil forces.

In many areas, a predawn procession began that reaches its culmination on the hilltops. As the people watched, the fires were kindled at the rising of the sun, and as the flames leapt, the people walked deosil around the bonfire three times. Farm animals were sometimes paraded between the fires to remove any curses or sickness and protect them over the summer season.

In some areas of Europe, people would leap over the flames of a small fire so that they, too, could be purified. Torches lit from the Beltane fire were taken home to the light the new fires of the year. Liberations of milk, butter, eggs, and bread (bonnach Bealltain) were offered to the fire with incantations (pre-Christian) or prayers (during the Christian reign) in hopes that the growing season would be a good one.

European practices included tying a wand of rowan and hanging it above the door, and collecting ashes from the Beltane fire and placing them on the forehead to purify the body and bring good luck. Water collected from wells or cupped stones to catch the morning dew, called May dew, was believed to be especially power for holy water, and was sprinkled about the home to ensure good fortune, health, and happiness. Today, in some group rituals, the sacred fire is made to dance in a deosil spiral in honour of the Beltane purification rite.

Beltane Invocation

Light a fire in a cauldron. Turn to the east and say:

Out of the east the sun wells and whitens, the darkness trembles into light, and the stars are extinguished like the lamps of a human city. The whiteness brightens into silver, the silver warms into gold, the gold kindles into pure and living fire, and the face of the east is covered with the elemental scarlet. The day draws its first breath, steady and chill, and for leagues around, the woods and valleys will sigh and shiver. From every side the shadows will leap from their ambush and fall prone. The day of prosperity has come! This I give to thee, O sacred fire, so that I and my family shall be spared from all evil.

Walk around the cauldron three times, then repeat the following invocation:

Maypole rises to the heavens
lengths of coloured ribbon
flutter in the morning sunlight
tokens kept and given.
Costumed lords and ladies
step quick in deosil round
weaving love and harmony
as the sun goes down.

Circle in to touch the sky, and out to manifest
spiral dance around the ring
grant me my request!
Venus rules, her passions deep
in love and games of war
Taurus vows that he will keep
great riches at the door.
Cupid’s bow is pointed to shoot
right through the heart
Aphrodite’s scented lips breathe
“Romance is an art.”Circle in to touch the sky, and out to manifestspiral dance around the ringgrant me my request!

The maypole is the World Tree
Poteau Mitan of lore
that draws from ebony oceans
stars to earthen shore
and carries power to the dance
through streamers of each hue
the spark of life that is required
to make a Witch’s brew.

Circle in to touch the sky, and out to manifestspiral dance around the ringgrant me my request!
The first dew of the morning
and rowan on the ledge
are secrets of the saeson
renewing each year’s pledge
of joy and peace within my home
prosperity and more
magick thunders from my palms
and penetrates the core

Circle in to touch the sky, and out to manifestspiral dance around the ringgrant me my request!Deosil thrice around the bonfire
leap the roaring flame
cast off the old and birth the new
in God and Goddess’ name.
Protection for the animals
good fortune, healing too
Bonnach Bealltain, an offering
to make my dreams come true.

Circle in to touch the sky, and out to manifestspiral dance around the ringgrant me my request!

Magickal Ideas for your Beltane Sabbat Ritual

. Erect your own Maypole with a Christmas tree stand and a large pole. Decorate with ribbons.

. Hang prayer ribbons on and the trees and bushed on your property.

. Sew ribbons onto a white handkerchief, then empower each ribbon for a different goal or wish. Keep the handkerchief safe until all the wishes are granted.

. Collect the morning dew for magickal use.

. Hang a branch of rowan tied with red thread above your bedroom door for protection.

. Add spells for self-esteem and self-love to your Beltane ritual.

. Bless your garden or the nearest field.

. Beltane occurs when the sun is in the earthy, fixed sign of Taurus. Any magick done now will last (and work hard) for a long time. This is an excellent time of the year for prosperity work, for adding to the stability of your lifestyle, and making those needed repairs around the home.