Beltane 2010

Last night I celebrated Beltane. Beltane is one of the main festivals in Wicca, celebrated on April 30th/May 1st. It's all about fire and fertility. Wiccans believe that the Goddess gives birth to the God (the sun) at Yule, by Beltane the God is a virile young man who takes the Goddess as his lover. Young people used to use Beltane as a time that they would go into the woods and choose a lover, under the pretense of "gathering may flowers". To come back the next morning with a basket full of flowers would be a sure sign they weren't successful! Beltane is a time to do magics for good fortune and fertility in all areas of your life.

I particulary like this verse from Rudgard Kipling's 'A Tree Song'

"Oh, do not tell the priest our plight, 
                Or he would call it a sin; 
            But--we have been out in the woods all night, 
                A-conjuring Summer in! 
            And we bring you good news by word of mouth -- 
                Good news for cattle and corn -- 
            Now is the Sun come up from the south, 
                With Oak, and Ash, and Thorn! "

 

 Here are a few of photo's from our celebration:

Our altar:

Our indoor version of a Beltane fire:

Some cord magic: