Here we are at the mid-point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. In Pagan traditions, this day is known as Beltane. It is celebrated as a time of fertility, union of the masculine and feminine, and honouring the Earth to bring about abundance and prosperity this growing season.
Beltane 2020
I normally feel so light and joyful this time of year. But this year feels different amidst everything occurring globally. This generating, expansive and abundant energy this time of year usually has me feeling so inspired and joyful… but I’ll admit, I even had a hard time sitting down to write this blog because I’m having moments that are feeling less than inspiring. It can be hard to feel joyful about Spring with so much uncertainty swirling around, fear and division being perpetuated in the media, and a lack of community support.
Last night I sat down for a few minutes and meditated on what needs to be focused on this Beltane; what is going to serve and uplift. And what came to me was “love and beauty”. Love and beauty really do trump worry and fear. A voice told me, “When you feel low, create something of beauty. When you feel afraid and helpless, drop into your heart and let love wash over you.” And so I drank in this message, and from this place came inspiration to write about this year’s Beltane energy.
The Energy of Beltane
Beltane- traditionally celebrated May 1- is a time to celebrate the return of the growing season, the fertility of the Earth, and the union of the divine Masculine and the divine Feminine. There is a very potent energy this time of year; the energy is building stronger and stronger every day as we move closer to the High Sun at Summer Solstice. Just as the 1st Quarter moon carries a tremendous amount of generation and creation energy, so does this point in the cycle of the Sun.
And so, if you are feeling low, stagnant, small or helpless, can you for today, or for this moment, connect to something stronger? Can you join in on the higher realm of emotions: Joy? Love? Gratitude? Abundance? Expansion? Beauty? Truth? Love? Lift yourself into this place, and you may start to tune into something a little lighter and expansive!
If you need some inspiration- just look outside! Particularly if you are in a Northern climate, you are only now really beginning to see the flourish of Spring; daffodils, tulips, blossoms on the trees, magnolias in full bloom, cherry blossom trees… the soil is fertile! And the potential for growth is HUGE! The Earth is inhaling, waiting to receive, wanting to grow, to expand and to fill the world with beauty! With your beauty! With your love! And with your creations!
Here is your opportunity to offer something into this energy. Let’s help raise the energy of our home, our community and planet through our thoughts, actions and deeds. Release all fear, worry and anxiety through beautiful creations, prayer and a positive mental attitude.
Are you in?
Traditionally Beltane is a fire celebration, so if you have a fire pit on your property, light it up! Otherwise candles will do! I want this ritual to feel as simple as possible, so you don’t need a lot of things to participate. But that being said- get as fancy as you want! If you want to adorn your home in flowers, crystals, light candles, bake cakes, etc, by all means go there! But if all you have is yourself and a quiet place to sit, that will do!
A Beltane Ritual to Invoke Beauty and Love
What you need:
a journal and pen
candle(s) - optional
flowers - optional
any kind of floral scent (ie rose, geranium, ylang, jasmine, neroli) - optional
Set your Sacred Space
Make your space feel sacred and lovely in any way that feels right for you. Flowers, diffusing essential oils, incense, candles, photos you love, a plate of delicious food, clothes that make you feel beautiful- anything goes.
Get Grounded
Burn any incense, herbs or resins to cleanse and purify the air, and then sit and relax. If you have any floral essential oils, put some on your heart. (This is completely optional, but I always feel that floral scents drop me into a place of feminine beauty. I love it). Let your breath slow, let your body settle, let your mind get quiet. Let all the rhythms of your body slow down, and drop a little deeper into the ground.
Connect to Your Heart
Bring your awareness to your heart centre as you breathe; breathe into your heart space, inviting in more love, more beauty, more compassion; breathe out from the heart as you feel that energy expand around you. Continue on like this for a few more rounds of breathe.
When we come into our heart space and truly start to connect with its energy we are able to eradicate the ego. In this place fear cannot exist. Anger cannot exist. Hate cannot exist. We tap into our divine centre where love reigns. We remember who we are and we release what no longer serves.
Journal
Grab your journal and you’re going to answer these 3 questions:
How can I create more beauty in my life?
How can I love myself better?
How can I extend this love and beauty out into my world?
Don’t judge, censor or edit. Just dig in and go for it.
Set your Intention
Did you get some insight from your journaling? Perhaps this was able to shed some light on what your intention may be for this Beltane. Remember, the soil is fertile and the Earth is waiting to receive… what do you want to sow? What came up in your journaling? Be honest, dig deep, and drop into your own God-given love and beauty.
Write down your intention.
Light Your Candle (optional)
With your intention in mind, light your candle if you’re using one, and start to visualize your intention growing stronger and strong. Visualize it coming to fruition. How does it make you feel when your intention has come to pass? Let those powerful, positive emotions wash over you. You can place your written intention under your candle until it is burnt down.
If you are not using a candle, leave your written intention in your sacred space for the day/night, or under your pillow as you sleep tonight. Tomorrow it might be a nice idea to bury your intention in nature, or in your garden.
Close Your Ritual
As you close, send massage amounts of gratitude for all your blessings. Give thanks to the Earth who continues to support and nurture us. Give thanks to God/Source/Creator for this life you have, even when things feel upside down. Let your candle burn down. Eat something delicious. Smell some flowers. Anoint yourself with something yummy.
Leave an Offering
If you are able this Beltane, extend an offering for our planet. This may be in the form of planting seeds, leave an offering somewhere in nature (nuts, seeds, organic apple pieces, cut flowers etc), pull some weeds in a community garden, meditate for 10-15 minutes as you visualize the Earth surrounded by white light, pick up garbage in your community… you get the idea.)
I am wishing, as always, love, beauty and joy this Beltane. May you be blessed with abundance, prosperity and the gift to grow from all your lessons.
Happy Beltane.
