As we welcome the blooming flowers and the warm sun, we also celebrate Beltane – a time of year that represents the vitality and passion of life.
Beltane, which falls on May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere, is a time to embrace the energy of fertility, beauty, and growth. Let’s explore the origins of Beltane, traditional ways to celebrate, and how you can incorporate passion and manifestation into your life during this time.
The Origins of Beltane
Beltane is an ancient Gaelic festival that marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and summer solstice. It was a time when people welcomed the abundance of spring and looked forward to the long, warm days of summer ahead.
The word “Beltane” comes from the Old Irish word “Beltaine,” which means “bright fire.” In ancient times, people would light fires to symbolize the return of the sun’s warmth and its power to bring forth new life.
Traditional Ways to Celebrate Beltane
One of the most iconic ways to celebrate Beltane is by dancing around the Maypole. The Maypole is a tall pole decorated with ribbons, flowers, and other adornments. People hold the ribbons and dance in circles around the pole, weaving the ribbons in and out until the pole is covered. This is a symbol of the unity of the community and the intertwining of energies.
Another way to celebrate Beltane is by decorating your home with flowers and greenery. You can create a beautiful altar with fresh blooms, plants, and candles. This is a time to honor the beauty and abundance of nature and express gratitude for all that it provides.
Incorporating Passion and Manifestation into Your Life
Beltane is a time to celebrate passion, so why not incorporate that energy into your life over the next week? Here are some ideas to help you tap into the vitality and manifestation of Beltane:
Make Aphrodisiacs
Use this time to make foods and drinks that ignite passion and desire. Some examples include chocolate, strawberries, red wine, and spicy foods. Buy yourself a lovely bouquet of flowers to give fragrance to the air and bless your space.
Create Love Charms and Potions
Use herbs like rose petals, lavender, and jasmine to create love charms and potions. These can be used to enhance the passion in your relationship or to help you bring more loving energies to those around you.
Focus on Manifestation
Beltane is a time when the veil between worlds is thin, making it an ideal time to focus on manifestation. Take some time to meditate and visualize your goals. Write them down and place them on your altar or in a special place where you can see them every day.
Spend Time in Nature
Beltane is a celebration of nature and its abundance, so spending time outdoors can help you connect with the energy of this season.
Take a walk in a park or forest, have a picnic, or simply sit and observe the beauty around you. This can help you ground yourself and connect with the natural world, which can enhance your manifestation efforts. See my article on Grounding for more ways to ground and connect with nature and yourself.
Gather With Women in a Women’s Circle
If you’re feeling especially witchy, you may decide to gather with other women to celebrate your wildish nature. You can start a bonfire and dance around it, or gather virtually in a women’s circle to listen, take time for reflection and share stories together. Take time to learn about the divine feminine throughout history and share the inspiring stories of goddesses and heroines with your besties.
Conclusion
Beltane is a time to celebrate the beauty and passion of life. Whether you choose to dance around the Maypole, decorate your home with flowers, or incorporate passion and manifestation into your life, remember that this is a time to embrace the energy of growth and abundance. So go ahead and let your inner fire burn bright!
Resources
- Beltane: Springtime Lore, Rituals and Celebrations by Raven Grimassi
- The modern witchcraft guide to the wheel of the year : from Samhain to Yule, your guide to the Wiccan holidays by Judy Ann Nock
- The Spiral Dance by Starhawk (@starhawk_spiral)
