It's no secret I love me a ritual. Crossing a threshold into the sacred mystery. Taking a moment to honour and be fully present in the heart. Inhale a little divine magic.
It’s Beltane in the northern hemisphere, a magical time of year that celebrates the return of spring and the coming of summer.
Finally!!
Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival that has been celebrated for centuries and is still celebrated today by many Pagans, Wiccans and Pilgrims of the mystery. It falls on May 1st and is a time to honour the earth, connect with nature, and celebrate the beauty of life.
Beltane has a beautifully rich history that dates back to ancient times.
It was a time when people would light fires and perform rituals to ensure fertility and abundance for the coming season.
It is a time to embrace and revel in the incoming light, to gather, dance and sing our dreams into being. To give thanks to this divine mystery of life and celebrate being an aspect of this magical creation.
The holiday is closely tied to the elements of fire and water, as the fires were often lit near bodies of water and people would jump over the flames for purification and blessings.
Call in and connect with the elements at this time.
Give thanks to the clean waters and offer blessings that all living things have access to pure waters. Be hydrated and cleansed by the life giving element of water, and bathe in your good intentions for the coming seasons.
Allow the fire in your belly and fire in your heart to rise now. Allow your digestive system to cleanse and purify, allow your heart to transmute anything that no longer serves you, into forgiveness, love and compassion.
So that we may shine our light to all life around us and the people we interact with. Let’s allow our fires to manifest in dance, movement and joy. Let's fuel our fires and feed the flames.
We have navigated a dark winter,
now let's play!
As we emerge from the depths of winter, it's so important to take care of ourselves and nurture our bodies and minds. Spring is a time of renewal and rejuvenation, inside and out. Beltane is also a perfect time to celebrate our bodies, our sensuality, and our connection to the earth. We can do this by spending time in nature, taking walks, and engaging in activities that bring us joy and pleasure.
Being fully present with our body brings untold benefits and dare I say miracles.
Among the many rituals and ceremonies that will be happening in my home town of Glastonbury this weekend (thousands will be visiting this sacred land and we feel the joy!), one of the most famous Beltane rituals is the Maypole dance, where a tall pole is decorated with ribbons and flowers, and people dance around it in celebration of fertility and growth. This ritual is a beautiful way to honour the energy of the season and connect with the earth and each other.
It is believed that the Maypole represents the world tree, which connects the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. This ritual was believed to promote the growth of crops, ensure the fertility of animals, and bring blessings of abundance and prosperity to the community.
The act of dancing around the Maypole was also believed to symbolise the weaving together of the masculine and feminine energies of the universe. As people dance, they intertwine the ribbons, creating a beautiful and intricate pattern that represents the interconnectedness of all things.
Connecting with nature is a key part of Beltane, and it's just gorgeous to take time to appreciate the beauty of the earth.
To pull back from the story, the screen, the distraction, the entertainment.
Whether it's watching the sunset, listening to birdsong, or simply feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin (admittedly scarce right now in Blighty), nature has the power to uplift and inspire us. When we connect back into the frequency of the Earth, we are connecting to our natural state and becoming grounded, balanced and present. Able therefore to present ourselves to the world authentically.
This beautiful time of Beltane is a time to celebrate the magic of life.
It's a time to honour the cycles of nature and the beauty of the world around us.
It’s a time for gratitude.
Nature went wild and didn’t just give us a few different colours, smells and tastes – she offers an abundance! Take them in, indulge, revel, join her wild abandon and take in the full spectrum of her majesty!
By creating rituals and ceremonies that honour the elements, connecting with our spirit, taking time to reflect, and offer thanks to the beauty and mystery of the world – we are saying yes to a magical life.
We are saying yes to our potential, our expansion, our future selves.
Carving out a little sacred time and space for magic and play is not a reward, it’s as real and essential as anything on your list.
A little (or a lot) journalling, dreaming, visioning. A little candle, posy of roses, salt bath. An altar, a dance, a song. A fire, an affirmation. It doesn’t matter what it is. It’s yours.
Opening a space, crossing the threshold, meeting yourself and your intentions.
We are saying yes to all the juicy ripe new opportunities and tastes yet to come.
As a joyous advocate, Beltane is a beautiful and inspiring time that celebrates the power of nature and the magic and mystery of life.
It's a time to connect with the earth, honour our bodies, and nurture our spirits. To listen for the things that light us up and excite us. This space nourishes us in return with new opportunities and new shoots of possibility.
So, take some time this Beltane to celebrate the beauty of the world around you, and let the energy of the season inspire and uplift you.
Blessed be!
I offer space holding to integrate all of this magic into daily life, find out more at www.clarebelmont.net
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