SABBATH SERIES: BELTANE
Beltane is a fire festival known even to those who don’t declare themselves pagans or wxtches, that is how profound this Sabbath is. Its story is known through many cultures, in its varying forms, all incorporating fire as a means of exuberant celebration, sacrifices or offerings to the May Queen or Green Man, and the Maypole dance ritual of colorful ribbons and singing. Those who do not have spiritual or religious practices in these traditions deem it to be ‘satanic’, or ‘barbaric’ due to the thinning veil and closeness to the dead, the sexual energy that is palpable, explored and experienced during Beltane, and even calling out the use of fire as demonic in nature…but we wxtches know better.
Those of my wxtches who are reading from the southern hemisphere, you may want to jump over to our Samhain Article for myth, lore, activities, and deity worship that correlates with your seasonal change this time of year. I have to admit, it’s one of my favorites!
Beltane and It’s Names Throughout Cultural Lore
This Sabbath goes by many names for many reasons. Different cultures and locations in the world have names suited based on their language and understanding of what the day represents to them. Pagans and Wxtches of Celtic, Gaelic, Norse or Druid background will know this Sabbath as Beltane, Bealtaine, Bhealltainn, Bealtinne, or Cétshamain. As you can see all of these names are discernible but one; Cétshamain, which means “First of Summer” in old Irish. Each of these names refers to the same festival, the same day, however some cultures may celebrate it on the Lunar Cycle/Calendar opposed to the Gregorian Calendar (like many of us do). That means that wxtches who follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate Sundown on April 30th through end of day May 1st. Whereas others celebrate based on the Lunar Cycle, and planetary alignments which can change each year. This year it begins on May 4th (the solar awakening) and ends on the Full Moon May 12th. This can get a little confuser to some, so listen to your intuition, know what is culturally aligning for you, and continue to research if need be. Here is a great source for the Lunar Beltane guidlines. There are even more names for this magickal holiday than what I’ve shared here, so don’t stop exploring and adding to your craft.
Why Should I Celebrate Beltane as a Witch?
Traditionally speaking, witches are beings who explore, listen to, and try to understand the earth and it’s ever changing reality. At our core we are alchemists which demands acknowledgment of the Earth and it’s many evolving ways; one of these is the seasonal cahnges. So why does it matter to celebrate and honor Beltane? Well, Beltane gets represented as the coming together of the “divine feminine” and “divine masculine”, but I caution genderizing something that is much greater than what our brains can comprehend. The Earth at Beltane is in the process of giving birth and procreating, then procreating and giving birth. That is it’s entire purpose, to continue to blossom, and grow, and thrive with everlasting life! As a witch this is such a profound experience because we are constantly in the same process; with spell work, divination worship, shadow work, planetary exploration and astrological understanding…it’s always a cycle of death and rebirth- Beltane is simply the rebirth section of this process. If it isn’t honored you may have a harder time working through the depths of the darkness within oneself, and within ones craft. We are not entirely one thing, we are all things and therefore divinely connected. When you honor the life in Beltane, you honor the life within you.
King Arthur and His Connection to Beltane * Warning SA and Spoilers *
The story of King Arthur we know today has many adaptations and variations according to scholars. The legend of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and Sir Lancelot even inspire Dante Alighieris story/retelling within the 5th Canto, Second Circle of hell in his Tragic Comedy Inferno. That also shows how far back this Briton Myth goes. But today we are going to discuss how King Arthur is tied to Beltane, and unfortunately it’s a bit of a doozy… Placed back in the time of Druid Paganry at the peak of Beltane, Viviane, a sorceress (of course *eye roll), of King Uther Pendragon, has a foretelling that he will have a son who will be his heir and carry on his name. What Viviane then does is go to Morgaine, Uthers sister, and convinces her to partake in a traditional ritual known as “The Virgin Huntress”. Obviously this sounds horrible already. That evening, as the ritual begins, folks are running around ‘scantily clad’ or with only flower crowns or animal skins/horns to adorn them. Morgaine is rushing through the forested terrain when she is come upon by “The Horned One”, who takes her virginity (aka rapes her) and impregnates her. This perpetrator ends up being her brother, King Uther Pendragon. The only “good” to come of this is Morgaines belief that her child will be of greatness, and lead their people with more heart than his father. This is the origin story to King Arthur, The Beltane Prince.
Queen Guinevere
There are very few stories or myths throughout history that end with women regaining their power, or maintaining their dignity. Unfortunately Guinevere falls also into this category. However, I insist on reading further adaptations and reviews that have a more feminist lens, or even LGBTQ+ lens, for the story of these three people goes far beyond the Christian ideology that took over not long after their time. I highly recommend this article from the Times. Queen Guinevere gained her title by marrying King Arthur after her father helped him in a crusade, and it is known that they were very much in love upon meeting one another. This was an ideal situation, especially of that time. Guinevere wanting children, and having a hard time conceiving with Arthur, goes to the woods with some of her maids and knights of the round table. She asks them to wear green, no armor, and as little weaponry as possible. It is here that some say she is performing a ritual for Brigid, or Beltane itself, asking for help in her process. This was also know as “Guinevere’s Maying”. She then meets a new Knight of the Round Table, Lancelot, who she has an affair with and falls madly in love. What could’ve been a beautiful polyamorous relationship (some retellings actually include this) unfortunately turned to jealousy from King Arthur. Upon him finding out he, depending on the adaptation, kills Guinevere, exiles her, or marry’s her off to someone awful… The backdrop of Guinevere’s journey is greatly highlighted in Beltane and tidings of May.
Sir Lancelot
Our sweet romantic Lancelot, and what tragedy behold him. Remember our sorceress from earlier? Well, Lancelot is her child, born of the Lady of the Lake (at least in some retellings). Lancelot comes to Logres as a very nobel, and well loved knight to Arthur. There friendship, possibly even romantic, becomes so powerful it almost feels magickal. Their bond is then questioned when Guinevere is abducted and Arthur sends Lancelot to retrieve her, only for them to fall madly in love and for them to be thrusted into the thralls of passion (I mean he did just save her life). Conflicted with his love for both, Lancelot isn’t sure how to press on as both a friend and a lover to either…a decision must be made. But before that can be done King Arthur finds out about their affair, which chases Sir Lancelot away only to return to fight King Arthur for Guinevere…again multiple retellings indicate Arthur either already killer Guinevere, married her off to someone horrible, or agreed to exile her to a convent. When this war ended Lancelot chased after Guinevere to the Convent, but was only met with coldness, never returning his affections. They both remained apart, but when Sir Lancelot heard of Guinevere’s death, he starved himself until his own passing. This tragic love story is set in the spring, the peak of Beltane- all in hopes of flourishing love and friendship…but ends in tragedy.
Camelot (1967) Film Still - Getty Images
Goddesses and Gods of Fertility, Sunshine, and Springtime Frolicking
Cernunnos
Also known as the Lord of the Wild Things, Cernunnos is a horned deity with a mans torso and head, but with a hoofed trunk. Many compare him to Pan, or Baphomet, but their energies are very different and not to mention each one comes from a different background. Cernunnos lives amongst the forest, who tends to the wild foliage and its creatures. His significance amongst Beltane is that of fertility, life amongst nature, and the cycle of life and death. Beltane is very much about the renewal of life, day, season, and so Cernunnos comes forward to excite the natural world with the energy of Spring. Because of his connection to the natural rhythms of life, he is also associated to death, which is present at all times of year including Beltane. This is a time when the veil is thin, call upon Cernunnos as a guide to bring forward, or to guide back, those who have passed on.
Flora
Our Roman Goddess of flowers, fertility, and Springtime- she is the epitome of soft fertile energy. I like to think of her as one who lives closely to the fae realm, but never fully crosses it’s path. Or to that of a cherub that has grown out of their chubby cheeks and wings. Her gentleness and unwavering joy for nature is so profound during springtime, and is what makes her such an important deity on Beltane. Although she is not a Celtic Goddess, she can still be honored during ancient Celtic rituals. Any God or Goddess can be, depending on how you work within your own practice. There is an ancient Roman Festival dedicated to her, Floralia, similarly to Beltane it honors the Spring and her gifts upon the Earth as she fertilizes the land, keeping it prosperous and ever growing.
Brigid
Hello again to our Fair Irish Queen. We cover Brigid so much in the Sabbaths leading up to Midsummer, that you may already understand her significance here. Nonetheless I will shed some light on why her importance is amplified on this day. She is the alchemist of fire, and the mother of water. She is the passion in our bellies and the depth in our hearts. Artists, Craft-Smiths, Poets, Farmers, and Women in general receive her blessings and energy daily. She oversees those within these fields so she may continue the purpose of her elemental magick. Her significance on Beltane is that of the Fire Bringer. During this fire festival there will be a flame to jump over, to dance around, poetry to be spoken, songs to be sung…all in the name of the Sun, and the Season of Spring for new beginnings, and brighter days arrival. For further exploration into the lovely Brigid, I recommend reading our Deity Appreciation Article on her here.
The May Queen
Associated to Brigid, the May Queen is a human that is selected at every festival to represent the maiden of Beltane. As Brigid represents the Mother, the maiden is adorned with a flower crown and provided a torch to light the ceremonial bonfire. This tradition may vary from town to town, or culture to culture, but The May Queens Importance on this day remains the same. Beltane speaks on transformation, and one of those profound transformative moments is when the maiden becomes the mother. This is the Sabbath where that transformation begins.
The Green Man
Not to be confused with The Oak King, although their themes do cross paths, the Green Man is a symbol of natures vitality and fertility. He is usually seen simply as a face usually with wise eyes, but young in spirit, and adorned with leaves, or flowers, or moss. The Oak King is a symbol of the Suns renewal, and fight against the darkness, while The Green Man is one of nature unassociated to winters hold. Although they are viewed by some as the same, their myths are written separately. The Green Man simply appears when Spring is thriving, and nature is alive and well continuing its expansion into the summery days. We honor him, and even worship him and his connection to The May Queen on Beltane.
Dionysus (allegory Of Taste), Caravaggesque
Dionysus
The lush of all lushes, my goodness what a Demi-God! If ever you were someone wanting to lean into desire more, call upon our dear Dionysus. He is a Deity that many look over, but he is a gracious spirit that indulges the heart, gut, and loins. Dionysus was born to a mortal mother by the seed of Zeus…most likely an SA story as Zeus was known to do so to many mortals *insert eye roll*. His mother was not long after killed by one of Zeus’s lightning bolts, and was left to survive Heras jealous wrath! But Zeus saved him, and so he was brought up amongst the Goddesses and Gods, bringing mischief, wine, fertility, playful activities, and sexual energy to those who welcomed him. His importance during Beltane is obvious to those who know him well- he’s a fertility God who loves to party, dance, perform, and engage in sexual activities. He sees the joy in life, even in the chaos, and helps us try to embrace the beauty within it.
Choose Your Own Adventure: Beltane Activities
Our bodies are vibrating with the desire to go, explore, dance, burst with joy! It’s the suns warmth we crave, the desire for pleasure in all things, the titillation of what’s possible and bringing it into reality. Spring has SPRUNG witches, and now is the time to call in the four corners, the 4 elements, and the power of spirit to make manifest our wildest dreams. Here are some suggestions for how to make this season the most magickal one yet:
Perform the Maypole Dance - larger towns or major cities tend to have group rituals relating to the Sabbaths
Make a Bonfire Alone or with Friends dance, play music, sing, and throw offerings into the flames!!
Cast a Love Spell - calling on a partner that is of your highest good; I don’t recommend casting on someone without their consent
Build a Fairy House and Provide Offerings to them honey and milk are greatly appreciated
Take Up Fencing or Combat Classes
Make Flower Crowns
Make Wine (or just drink it) - sober options are great too! I love Carl Jungs de-alcoholized Merlot
Carve and Design a Staff, Walking Stick, or Wand
Build Your Own Maypole it doesn’t have to be life size- I have a 12” one on my alter this time of year
Honor Those Who Have Passed a beautiful ritual is to take petals of a flower, write their names on it, and then send it down a river, stream, or other body of water
Honoring Beltane:
The body is energized, the heart is thrumming, the mind is curious with exploration! It is also a time when the veil is at its thinnest (one of the two times out of the year) so make your intentions known. Invite those from beyond the veil, from other worlds, to celebrate with you. Know what your desires and intentions are and live them out with a pure heart. Here are some suggestions on symbols to use within those actions, and adventures of Beltane…
Creatures: Rabbits, Bees, Swans, Snakes, Frogs, Foxes, Bucks/Doe,
Symbols: Maypole or Ribbons Attached to Branches
Colors: Red, Yellow, Green, Pink, Blue, White - Think about the colors of the Maypole and how vibrant they are
Food items: Raspberries, Blackberries, Strawberries, Honey, Maple Syrup, wine, Grapes, Small Game Roasts (duck, quail, rabbit, squirrel)
Crystals: Lapis Lazuli, Red Jasper, Sunstone, Garnet, Moss Agate, Green Aventurine, Shiva Lingam
Flowers & Herbs: Tulips, Dandelions, Foxgloves, Bluebells, Ivy, Mugwort, Frankincense
Beltane is truly a time for celebration, you can feel it in the air you breath, the land you walk on, the sun that warms you, and hear it in the songs of nature all around you. However you connect to Beltane, and to any Sabbath within the Wheel of the Year, is entirely up to you and the way you wish to honor your own practice. There are no right or wrong ways, instead think of it as what is respectful or disrespectful and select your choices from there.
As always, it is a pleasure to have you, my fair wxtch, as a part of The Whisper Coven. I look forward to the next time we gather, cast, and manifest. Until then, stay spooky darkling xx.
May-Day Norse Mythology By NorseGarde.com
