The eve of Beltane 2009.

Well its that time again the 30th April the eve of Beltane.Beltane marks the end of the year’s dark half and the beginning of the light half.It is dedicated to Belenos, the god of light and healing who in modern British celebrations takes the form of the Green Man.

The name Beltane means “fire of Bel” or “bright fire.” It is believed that the god of light has to be rescued from the god of death or from an earth giant that has kept him prisoner for six months. To accomplish this, in some areas a hawthorn tree, representing the giant, is cut down and used as a maypole.

Dancing around the maypole clockwise brings luck throughout the summer. In ancient times, two fires containing nine sacred woods were lit for Belenos. The cattle were passed between the fires to purify and protect them. Likewise people would jump over the fire for luck. Beltane is essentially a celebration of fertility.

 

At this time, sexual activity is encouraged, and spice cakes, called barm brack in Irish and bannock in Scottish, are cooked and eaten. As we are between the dark and the light now, the veil between this world and the world of the spirit is thin. It is an excellent time for divination. Do not forget to leave some barm brack on the doorstep over night for the fairies.

If you treat them kindly, you will be assured that they will be kind to you through the year. Beltane is the time when fairies return from their winter rest, carefree and full of mischief and delight.
On the night before Beltane, in times past, folks would place rowan branches at their windows and doors for protection. If you do not wish the fairies to visit, do the same! This is also a perfect time for night or predawn rituals to draw down power to promote fertility in body and mind.

I will welcome the faries with open arms. I love fairy mischief. It works for me.

Imagine the magic around you and say:

O Fairy Queen,
Upon your white steed,
Within me plant
A magic seed.

From you may spring
Many new beginnings.

Great Queen,
Accept these offerings.

Leave the items and walk around the altar three times, then slowly
walk the path back to your home.

Listen for the sound of laughter and bells and know you are blessed.  I will place a green cloth in a wood or a clearing or on my beach and place flowers to make a circle. I don’t have primroses that are suggested but I have bluebells and snow drops and yellow tulips that I will use. I will stick a pole in the centre with ribbons tired to it and light a little fire which I will sprinkle with some fresh herbs I have growing in my pots.

I won’t be attending a festival this year, I went to one last year that my friend organized and had a great 4 days. Yes I stayed for 4 days. I have been invited to a free celebration tomorrow night which I may go to for a few hours depending on my health.

However I will be practicing and wishing and hoping and dreaming tonight with my own little personal ritual. I will show willing.Many people practice many different forms of rituals on this night of Beltane. Here are some I like.

1.
Make a daisy chain and cast it into one of the lakes to please the
water spirits

2.
Rise at dawn on May Day and wash in the morning dew: The
woman who washes her face in it will be beautiful, the man who
washes his hands will be skilled at knots and nets.
3.
Prepare a may basket of flowers and May food and leave it at the
door of a lover or friend, or someone in need of succour.
4.
Twist a Rowan sprig into a ring and look through it- Beltane is one
of the three nights in the year when the uninitiated can see the faeries.
5.
Create a May Day altar with a mirror, a small maypole, a phallic
shaped candle, a daisy chain and springtime flowers.
6.
Throw a May Day party and feast on May wine
and food till the dawn.
7.
Turn a broomstick into a maypole and see how many people you
can get to dance round it.
8.
Light a fire or candle on the top of a hill and make a wish as you
jump over it .

Be careful of the fire if your jumping and dancing around it.Let in the love and the light.Be blessed.

Love Diane