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Spring is here ! In my backyard, the daffodils with their bright yellow color are blooming. Robins scurry around on my green lawn. Days are becoming warmer with longer days. Beltane is coming! Beltane is a seasonal celebration, also known as May Day, that celebrates the boisterous energy at the height of Spring. Beltane is a Cross-Quarter holiday on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. It occurs at the midpoint between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice.
My coven and I are getting ready to dance around the Maypole this week-end and welcome in the Fairies. We decorate our altar and ritual space with bright colors, flowers and gifts for the fairies. This is one of our joyous celebrations. We give thanks for the fertility of our planet and the ability of the Earth to renew herself.
In the Wiccan tradition, we celebrate the sexual union of the Goddess and the God, an allegory of the Mother Earth impregnated by the seed of the Green Man. Beltane celebrations are often infused with a boisterous and bawdy energy that reflects the fertile energy of the season. The maypole is a phallic symbol of the masculine energy which is then joyfully embraced by colorful ribbons, symbolic of the beautiful abundance and diversity of our living world.
Our religion embraces sexuality as scared. All acts of joy are in Her name! The relationship between body and spirit isn’t separate for us, which is different to the other major religions. Beltane is the time to celebrate fecundity and life.
Questions you can ask yourself at this time are; How have you grown over the last season? How is life different? Who has supported us? How can we honor our progress and our mentors?
Historically, Beltane was originally celebrated by the Celtic Gaels of Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Pastoral people, the Gaels aligned their farming and livestock practices with the changes of the season. Beltane marked the time of year when they would put their livestock out to pasture. Part of their seasonal celebrations was a cleansing and protection ritual incorporating smoke and fire. They would pass their livestock between two fires to keep illness away.
Some ways to honor Beltane-
Here are a few of my favorite things for a Beltane altar:
Blessed Beltane!
About Aurora Raven Dragonfly: Aurora Raven Dragonfly aka Julie Anne Stratton - The basis of my teaching is gleaned from over 34 years of practice based in Germanic, Dianic, Gardnerian and ultimately Reclaiming Witchcraft. There were Goddesses in every culture prior to the major religions and patriarchy. The belief in a Divine Feminine is essential to the healing of Mother Earth. Witches, Shamans and healers are demonized by the major religions to instill fear and take away our agency. The truth is we are all both female, male and all genders divine beings.
I have led and participated in many covens over the years; The Circle of the Rising Phoenix, Sacred Daughters of Her, and Reclaiming the Radiant Wild. I did a green witch intensive for a year with Susan Weed and have taught workshops at witch camps, organized for VWC and was on the World Witch Council as a representative for VWC.
Some of my teachers are Judith Jannberg, Lucia Francia, Angelika Aliti, Susan Weed, Starhawk, Pat Harmatuk and many more.
I have a close relationship with the Goddesses Aphrodite, Diana and Hekate. The Goddess in her many forms though, has been my greatest teacher and mentor. I love working with, people, dance and co-creating magical experiences. I also love gardening, writing and music.
Aurora Raven Dragonfly's website: https://www.julieannestratton.org/bio-about.html
Check out her book aka Julie Anne Stratton