Beltane Blessings

Beltane Blessings

Beltane is a major Pagan festival called a Sabbat. It is the union of the God and Goddess. The word Beltane means ‘Bright Fire’. It is named after the God Bel and ancient Celtic God. It is a fire festival and it is traditional to build a fire on Beltane night to honor the Sun Gods.

Beltane is also a fertility festival, as it is the height of Spring and the beginning of Summer. Earth’s energy is very strong and potent with new life. Beltane is also the start of the farming calendar.

Fire is believed to have purifying qualities, it cleansed and rejuvenated both the land and the people. The ritual welcoming of the sun and the lighting of the fires was also believed to ensure fertility of the land and the people. Animals were transferred from winter pens to summer pastures, and were driven between the Beltane fires to cleanse them of evil spirits and to bring fertility and a good milk yield.

In Celtic times, it would be traditional to build a big bonfire in the center of the village and have a big feast. Young men and women would dance around the maypole, while many people would marry in a handfasting (wedding). People wishing to find love or conceive would jump over a Belfire for luck in love and fertility.

On Beltane we celebrate the abundance of the earth, it is a happy time when we give thanks for all we have in our lives and look forward to the bright, sunny days ahead. We celebrate the coming together of the God and the Goddess and the gifts they will bestow upon the earth.

May you have a happy and joyous Beltane.

Full written & photo credit goes to Wicca Teachings. I merely edited this. 

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Blessed Beltane

Beltane is a Celtic word which means ‘fires ofBel’ (Bel was a Celtic Sun God). It is a fire festival that celebrates of the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year.The young horned God who the Goddess gave birth to on Yule has now matured into a man and will marry the maiden Goddess, after months of flirting since the beginning of Spring they will make love for the first time where the Goddess will become pregnant with the harvest to come. Beltane is primarily a fertility celebration. 

On Beltane it is a celebration of the masculine and feminine union, not just male and female, but the masculine and feminine within us all and the balance between them. The light and dark within us. The sky and earth, the sun and moon. Yin and Yang.

It is customary to use a lot of reds and whites today as red represents the fertility of the female aspect and the white the fertility of the male aspect. A maypole is a tradition on Beltane the pole represents the male phallus, while the streams represents the female wrapping around the pole. Fires should be lit to bring a prosperous year and summer, the fire is to worship the Sun Gods. Traditionally people should jump over a small fire to bring luck and fertility, when jumping the fire young unmarried people would wish for marriage; young wives to ensure fertility and couples to strengthen a bond. It is also customary to make flower garlands to wear on your head and daisy chains to wear as a necklace, this will honor the Faerie folk as this is their day of celebration too.

Today we should light red and white candles and place Spring flowers on our altar such as daisies, daffodils, and dandelions. Give thanks for all you have in life and make wishes for the future. If you can get any, burn hawthorn branches to bring you luck and prosperity.

Beltane is a celebration, it is a time to dance, be with friends, have a shared meal with family, drink and be merry. Celebrate life. Beltane is also a time for hand-fasting, which is a Pagan wedding ceremony.

Have a Blessed Beltane. May the God and Goddess watch over you.

*Full written credit goes to Wicca Teachings*