Right here we come a’ piping,
In Springtime and in Might;
Inexperienced fruit a’ ripening,
And Winter fled away.
The Queen she sits upon the strand,
Truthful as lily, white as wand;
Seven billows on the ocean,
Horses using quick and free,
And bells past the sand.
~ Witchcraft for Tomorrow, by Doreen Valiente
Phoenix Publishing 1985
While within the Southern Hemisphere, our brothers and sisters observe Samhain right now, within the northern lands, we rejoice Beltane, Beltainne (pronounced Bel-tinna), Cetsamhain (‘reverse Samhain’), and Walpurgis (German).
Hail to Thalia, Grace of Joyful Festivity, and
Aglaia, Her Sister and bringer of Magnificence and Splendor!
Welcome Euphrosyne, the Grace of pleasure, good cheer and mirth!
Hail to blessed Flora and to Maia Majestas!
We bow in gladness to The Lord and The Girl!
We merrily welcome the King and Queen of Faery!
The medieval Church tried to rename this celebration Roodmas in an try and shift the frequent folks’s allegiance from the Maypole (an apparent phallus and image of life) to the Holy Rood (the Cross – image of their God’s loss of life and resurrection).
Equally in additional trendy occasions, in international locations which have tried to utterly eradicate all folks traditions and spirituality, reminiscent of North Korea and Russia (previously the Soviet Union), Might Day was modified to a day for army and workforce demonstrations.
In all cases, when these in energy should not forcing the folks to obey, these appropriations haven’t been as widespread.
Dancing with the Flame
Beltane is a reference to ‘Bel-fire’, the hearth of the Celtic God of sunshine (Bel, Beli or Belinos). He, in flip, could also be traced to the Center Jap God Baal. 
No matter you select to name it, this can be a Fireplace Pageant celebrating the start of Summer season, when the breezes are scented and the evenings are getting heat.
At the moment we rejoice Life’s inventive ecstasy. The veil is skinny as we dance the mysteries of fertility, magnificence, and Nature’s flowering.
That is our competition of affection, lust, and fecundity. This 
sabbat encourages hearty enjoyable, feasting, and pleasure.
On Beltane, our ancestors herded their livestock to the luxurious greater pastures, guiding them between hilltop bonfires that warded away in poor health fortune.
Now the younger Oak King has received the hand of the Maiden Goddess and with their union, She turns into pregnant.
We honor and emulate the divine union of the Lord and Girl. Celebrations embrace the apparent pleasures of sexual coupling, like most all of Nature is doing in all places proper now! All acts of affection and pleasure guarantee the continued fertility of the land, and due to this fact the well-being of the group.
Thus we observe this magical time by weaving an online of life across the Maypole and leaping the Beltane fires for luck.
The Flowering
After all it’s possible you’ll know we named our residence Laurel Hill in honor of the towering mountain laurels that encompass our little cottage within the woods. That is the time yearly after they showcase their attractive blooms.
And lilacs, roses, lily-of-the-valley, and different blossoms could also be introduced inside on at the present time to symbolize the fertility of the candy Earth. I particularly adore Might wine – made with white wine infused with (pesticide-free!) candy woodruff blossoms.
Nevertheless – beware. The hawthorn’s flowers, most sacred to the Lordly Ones, ought to by no means be reduce and should stay outside, else grave misfortune befall you. Additionally, assume twice about bringing honeysuckle into the home except you need a wedding ceremony quickly!
For a lot of generations in my household, reduce flowers have been bred and tended as presents of affection, hospitality, and beauty. Nevertheless, because of my years of Faery Custom coaching, I’m studying to assume twice about reducing blossoms. That’s as a result of dwelling blooms are Earth’s laughter (as Emerson famous), however a reduce flower is however a smile.
Nonetheless although, after I ask permission to snip just a few of my very own blossoms for particular events, and asking is one thing which one ought to unfailingly do, it’s generally granted to me. Respect and honor are important when communing with any of our Inexperienced kindred, and notably when you’re eradicating a few of their potential for regeneration.
This can be a time of specializing in our personal fertile prospects! You would possibly make a want right now or search steerage out of your most popular technique of divination, because the veils are so very skinny at the moment.
And I actually hope you remembered to scrub your face within the dew very first thing this morning, making certain youth and sweetness endlessly. And likewise, in fact, you mentioned “Rabbit! Rabbit!” didn’t you? For that is the primary day of the month.
Magical Trysts
Wiccan handfastings are frequent at Beltane, nevertheless the clever grandmothers knew very properly that the majority lusty trysts shaped within the merry month of Might weren’t prone to final, so precise marriages have been prevented and generally even thought of unhealthy luck throughout this month.
As a substitute, the smitten {couples} have been inspired to get pleasure from their pleasures, however wait at the very least one lunation earlier than the intense enterprise of marriage.
That’s why June is taken into account a a lot extra favorable time for an enduring union and to at the present time is the preferred wedding ceremony month.
And if a being pregnant resulted after the Beltane revelries, properly, so what? The mom was thought of blessed and the kid was positive to be magical. Each have been supported and welcomed by the entire village, and all was properly.
Don’t you simply love this clever option to work with our horny nature, somewhat than to sentence it, and forbid it to take its course?
The Truthful Ones
At Beltane, we bear in mind the arrival of the Tuatha de Danann in Eire, and we honor on at the present time the Nice Mom-Goddess Danu (or Danann). The Tuatha de Danann (which means, “the folks of Danann”) have been the fourth invading tradition to reach in Eire, many centuries earlier than the Christian period.
They have been fairly stunning and astonishingly superior, being extremely expert in science and metalworking. They got here to be understood as a race other than people.
They inhabited Eire for about 2 hundred years, till the fifth and final invaders, the Milesians (Gaels), conquered them. When the Tuatha de Danann had been lastly defeated, they withdrew to the hole hills, the place they reside to at the present time.
Also referred to as the Sidhe (pronounced “shee”), they’re the supply of a lot of our lore in regards to the Celtic Gods, Goddesses, and our communion with the Faery races.
So this is a vital time to provide choices to the our Cousins and co-walkers. The actions of the Folks of Peace are actually rising and can attain their peak at Summer season Solstice.
Now then, my pricey — sufficient discuss! Get your self outdoors!
Mild the Bel-fires, sing to the bushes, dance with the Wild Ones, give up to this most historical enchantment.
Revel within the sensuous delights of life and love.
Might your magickal rites be most gladly savored!
Blessed Be!
