When is Beltane?
1st May
When the first hawthorn blossom can be seen
What is Beltane?
Festival of fire and fertility
A major festival within the wheel of the year
One of four fire festivals that take place throughout the pagan and Wiccan calendar
It marks the beginning of the second half of the Celtic year
It is a joyous celebration of new life, fertility and sexuality
It is a time the veil between the worlds thins again, contact with the spirits is easier and the fae are very active.
What happens at Beltane? Traditions and Celebrations
The return of summer and the beginning of the farming season. The planting season begins and the earth returns to fertile abundance. Cattle were put out to pasture after the confines of winter. Bel fires were lit on hilltops and the herds were driven between the bel fires on their way to the pastures to protect them from ills.
Rituals to promote fertility were held, a joyous festival with dancing and merrymaking around the bel fires.
Jumping over the bel fire for luck and fertility for the coming year
Old hearth fires were extinguished and new fires kindled from the bale fires.
Rowan branches were hung over the hearth fire for protection.
Erecting the maypole and circling, dancing around it for fertility. Holding ribbons and weaving in and out until the maypole is bound remains one of the most well-known symbols of Beltane. It represents male and female, the sexual union of Goddess and God.
Young women go ‘a maying’ all night in the woods with their lovers and might bless the tiled field by making love in furrows
A popular time for Handfastings.
Themes and Focus of Beltane
Fertility - biological and creative
Sexuality - celebrating sexuality
Finding love
Life + unity
A new cycle of life
Return of vitality + Passion
Looking forward with hope and optimism
Energy of Beltane
Passion and determination
Excitement and enthusiasm
Vitality
Joy
Love and sex
Spring brings the energy of youthfulness whatever your age.
Return of the sunlight and warmer longer days enliven and heal
Increased energy and improved mood and sense of well-being
What does Beltane encourage us to do or focus on?
Taking action
Creativity
Prioritising those creative projects
Celebrate something in your life
Singing + dancing and finding joy
Optimism and looking forward
Great time to shed any remaining negative or stagnant energy
Fire energy at Beltane
Fire is cleansing and transforming
It is a purifier and a healer as well as a destroyer
It symbolises passion and determination
Beltane is an ideal time to connect with the element of fire and work with its energies.
Create rituals for yourself and symbolically burn and cleanse whatever it is you need to be rid of.
Embrace its energy and get excited about your passions
Consider where you need to take action in your life and what needs to be cleared out.
Goddess and God at Beltane
The union between Goddess and God takes place and she becomes pregnant, transforming from her maiden aspect to mother aspect. They unite in partnership and their marriage is consummated which encourages the earth to bloom.
Beltane Flowers
All spring flowers
Daffodil - Love + fertility
Dandelion - love, wishes + good luck
Lily - Fertility + Growth
Tulip - Prosperity
Honeysuckle - love, happiness + joy
Lilac - Renewal, rebirth + first Love
Hawthorn - fertility
St. Johns Wort - Represent Sun, Rebirth
Beltane Incense
Floral or woody scents
Lilac
Frankincense
Jasmine
Rose
Sage
Strawberry
Beltane Food and Drink
Honey
Oats
Milk + Diary
Cherries
Pomegranate
Peaches
Marigold custard
Vanilla
Oatcakes
Bread
Cake
Floral or herbal wine
Mead
Beltane Symbols and Decorations
Fertility and Fire Symbols and signs of Spring
Maypole
Acorns + seeds
A cauldron filled with flowers
Rings
Antlers
Wreath made with spring flowers
Rings of spring flowers - wreath, headband
May basket
Floral crown
Braided ribbons
Braided hair with ribbons and flowers
Bonfire
Candles
Burning incense, herbs in cauldron
Birds
Bees
Colours of Beltane
Bright spring colours
White/Silver - Peace, Purity, Harmony / maiden aspect of Goddess
Red - Love, Passion, Vitality, Strength, Fire / mother aspect of Goddess
Green - Fortune, Wealth, Growth, Fertility, Abundance, /youthful God
Yellow/Gold - Joy, Sun
Purple - Spiritual growth
Crystals for Beltane
Emerald - Love, Compassion, Healing, Abundance
Malachite - Love, Positive Transformation, Manifestation
Amber - Attract love, vitality
Orange Calcite - Reproduction, Balance Sexual Energies, Vitality
Carnelian - Vitality, Sexuality, Fertility, Creativity, Success
Rose Quartz - Love, Compassion, Relationship Harmony
Spells to perform at Beltane
For wealth + prosperity
For Love and Romance
To strengthen relationship
For sex, lust + fertility
For crops + gardens
For Growth + Abundance
For creativity + projects
To protect property + interests
Good time to perform Candle spells and weaving spells
Fill your home with fresh flowers
Use floral scents in the home - candles and oil burners
Add energising essential oils to your cleaning sprays and water to re-energise your space and invite abundance.
Paint your nails in a Beltane colour
Have a ritual bath filled with spring flowers and crystals for love
Get dressed up and dance around your living room
Plan a romantic date, if you don’t have a partner plan a date with yourself
Write a love letter to yourself