Kate Braun : Beltane Fire Festival Celebrates Life

Beltane Fire Festival. Photo from Damn Amazing Pics.
Celebrate life, fertility, passion:
Beltane: Sunday, May 1, 2011

By Kate Braun / The Rag Blog / April 27, 2011

“Dark of the Moon what we envision will come to be by the full moon’s light”

Sunday is Lord Sun’s day, and Beltane is a festival celebrating life, fertility, vitality, passion, and growth. It is a fire festival, so be sure to include fire in some form as you plan your festivities.

Beltane, like Samhain, is a time when the veil between worlds is thinnest; the Spirit World can easily interact with the Mundane World on this day and especially after dark.

Lore tells us that on this night (also named Walpurgisnacht) spirit light will glow on the site of buried treasure (or so Count Dracula told Jonathan Harker), but this is Lore only; I do not recommend venturing forth with picks and shovels to follow a will-o-the-wisp.

All colors may be used in your decorations, but be sure to include white, dark green, and red. Your menu should include custards, sweets of all kinds, green salads, red or pink wine punch, breads, cereals, all red fruits, and ice cream.

Roses, representing the flowering dimension of the human soul, are insightful additions to your decorations as are mirrors, honeybees, and braided fibers.

Robin Hood and Maid Marian are frequently used as symbols of God and Goddess at this celebration. You may designate two of your guests to personify them by blessing all your guests, leading them in weaving red and white ribbons around a May Pole, and exchanging a kiss to symbolize the union of God and Goddess. Their kiss would be a signal for the blowing of horns and whistles, ringing of bells, and other signs of joy.

In addition, if you are able to celebrate outdoors and can build a fire, Marian may bless any animals present by adding fragrant herbs to the coals and then using a feather or feather fan to wave smoke from the fire over them.

In the Long Ago, two fires were built and cattle, horses, and other farm animals were guided between the fragrant smoke of both fires; now any animals included in this festival are more likely to be pets, led or carried by a family member to receive Marian’s blessing.

Don’t forget the fairies and other nature sprites. Decorating a tree or bush with bells and ribbons will not only please them but also prompt them to care for and protect your gardens and outdoor areas.

[Kate Braun's website is www.tarotbykatebraun.com. She can be reached at kate_braun2000@yahoo.com. Read more of Kate Braun's writing on The Rag Blog.]

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