Beltane is one of the eight sabbats on the Witches’ Wheel of the Year that marks the seasonal changes. Celebrated on May 1st in the UK, Beltane marks the beginning of Summer. As with most of the sabbats, there are a number of different spellings and translations, but most agree that it translates in part to ‘fire’, reflecting it’s roots as a fire festival.
As the days get longer and crops start to thrive, Beltane is recognised as a time of health, fertility, growth and abundance. Traditionally, rituals were done to bless livestock and land to ensure health and fertility for the coming season. Bonfires were lit and decorations were made with flowers to acknowledge the Sun and it’s impact on life and vitality.
It’s a time to connect with nature and others as we start to come outside and notice what is growing around us. It’s a time for doing and nourishing what is appearing from the seeds we have sown during Spring. With it’s fire energy, this is a fun, bright and beautiful festival, full of life.
Beltane Altar Ideas
Here are a few suggestions for what to place on your altar for Beltane.
- Basket – to represent the harvest for everything you have cultivated during this season.
- Cauldron – to hold your fire, or the ashes of fires burned.
- Flowers – to represent life and growth and vitality. You can use add any flowers you like, or choose some to represent specific intentions. For example, Roses for love and passion, daffodils for friendship and connection.
- Maypole & Ribbons – the Maypole is traditionally associated with rituals of fertility and community, with the intertwining ribbons signifying connection. Make a mini maypole with a twig and ribbon to add to your altar.
- Lanterns & Candles – to represent fire for this festival.
Beltane Correspondences
Colours: Red, Pink, Yellow, Green, White & Blue
Crystals: Sunstone, Carnelian, Rose Quartz, Emerald, Tiger’s Eye, Moss Agate
Flowers & Herbs: Rose, Dandelion, Nettle, Mint, Hawthorn, Thyme
Foods: Bread, Oat Cake, Leafy Salads, Strawberries
Rituals & Activities for Beltane
Sit around a fire with friends, taking time to connect. Get some marshmallows to toast on the fire and sit outside enjoying the brighter evenings, maybe share your goals for the month or next 6 weeks and see how you could help others reach theirs.
Baking a loaf of bread on Beltane is thought to bring good luck. Share it with loved ones, or maybe leave an offering for the land in exchange for blessing and fertilty with whatever you are growing.
Make a flower crown or daisy chain. The circlular shape represents the wheel of the year and the turning seasons, and using your hands to make a crown with flowers connects you to nature. It represents beauty and the cycle of life, and wearing a flower crown is sure to invite a little bit of whimsy and joy to the celebrations.
Make yourself a bracelet with ribbons, weaving in your intentions and promises for the coming season. Choose colours to match your intentions, write your promises on the ribbons or even add charms. Tie the ribbon round your wrist. It is thought that when the bracelet falls off it signifies the release of the intention into the universe.
Go on a walk and take a picnic, include bread or pastries and strawberries and go and watch the world go by. Notice what is growing as you walk around and enjoy the (hopefully) blue skies and sunshine.
Do a small fire ritual. Traditionally, 2 bonfires would be lit next to each other, with enough space to walk between them safely, it was thought to offer protection for the coming season. If you do not have space to do this, you can light 2 candles and place them on the floor to step over them, walk between them or carefully pass your hands through their smoke. As always, when dealing with fire and candles, do so carefully and have the proper precautions in place.
How will you be celebrating Beltane this year?
