BELTANE
By SpiritLady Yve
Beltane is the beginning of Pagan’s Summer. Beltane is the opposite of Samhain and is known as the Festival of Life. Beltane (which is also spelled Beltaine or Bealteinne) comes from the Gaelic word "La Bealteinne" (pronounced "Law BALL-tuh-nuh), and refers to the sacred Balefires which were lit in ancient times for the God Bel, or Belenos. Beltane celebrates the union of Goddess and God which creates a child who is then born at Yule. Traditional festivities include weaving and plaiting, as these symbolise union. The May Pole is a Beltane tradition, with the ribbons representing Goddess (white) and God (red). Women hold the red, men hold the white. The red ribbons go clockwise and the white ribbons go anti-clockwise. (Please note: I am not sure if this is reversed in the Southern hemisphere) Morris dancing is also a traditional Beltane activity, using the Goddess and God colours, and the bells are to drive away evil. At Beltane, menstruating women would ride broomsticks (hobby horse style) across fields to bring fertility to the crops. Beltane is a time of fertility, so if you are wanting children, now is a good time to try to conceive. But remember that fertility doesn’t just include physical fertility (making babies), fertility can be emotional fertility (Bringing to birth what we wish for). It is believed that if you wash your face in the morning dew of Beltane morning it will increase beauty.
Plants for Beltane: Hawthorne, honeysuckle, St Johns wort, Woodruff, All flowers.
Foods for Beltane: Dairy foods, Marigold custard, Vanilla, Ice cream, Oatmeal cakes.
Stones: Emerald, Jade.
Colours: Bright blue, lavender, Warm pink, Lemon yellow, White, Red.
Element: Earth.
Planet: Venus.
Zodiac: Taurus.
Pagan belief: The God grows into manhood, the Goddess & God unite.
Beltane Goddesses: Aphrodite, Artemis, Diana, Rhea, Cybele, Erzulie, Freya, Rhiannon, Shiela-na-gig, Venus.
Beltane Gods: Bel, Cernunnos, Cupid, Frey, Orion, Puck, Faunus, Herne, Odin, Pan.
