Here are 5 simple but satisfying ways you can celebrate the pagan holiday of Beltane.
Beltane is upon us, and the realm of the fae is near.
Indeed, Beltane is the time when the veil between the human realm and the realm of the fae is as thin as it gets.
Beltane – which falls on May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and is also known as May Day – is a a time of fun, fertility, abundance, sensuality, romance, celebration, and purification.
And while you can certainly build a bonfire and drum or dance the night away if you so desire, even a brief ritual of magic or devotion can have a powerful resonance, and can transport your consciousness into the realm of the sacred.
With that in mind, here are five Beltane ritual and celebration ideas that don’t need a ton of supplies and that you can fit into even the busiest schedule.
Easy Beltane Idea #1: Make a candle bonfire.
A Beltane bonfire is a traditional way to purify by burning away the last remnants of winter and turning stuck energy into vibrant power and life.
To perform the same energetic action in miniature, place a pillar candle on a plate and arrange naturally shed twigs and fresh blossoms around its base.
Light the candle, breathe deeply, and send your consciousness into the center of the flame.
Inwardly feel, see, and sense the fire burning away all old unnecessary conditions and stuck energy into beautiful, radiant light.
Easy Beltane Idea #2: Frolic.
This Beltane, find a song that fills you with joy, wildness, and sensuality.
Blare it as loudly as your neighbor situation permits.
Then, dance, with as much silliness and freedom as possible.
Make sure to move your hips.
And fairies love laughter, so laughing is extra credit.
Easy Beltane Idea #3: Make a faerie offering.
Beltane is a wonderful time to celebrate your interconnection to the web of all life.
This, of course, includes the fairy folk.
A handful of birdseed can be an excellent offering to the fae, as can tumbled or faceted crystals, shiny coins, berries, grapes, or walnut shells filled with alcoholic spirits or juice.
Easy Beltane Idea #4: Purify your threshold.
Beltane is a powerful time for purification.
Additionally, doorways – by virtue of being portals – are very much in alignment with this expansive and transitional time.
As such, try opening your door all the way and cleansing the threshold with the smoke of white sage, desert sage, or palo santo.
You might also want to wash the door itself, using a bucket of warm water into which you’ve added a drop or two of essential oils like spearmint or cedar.
You could also mist the threshold with a smudge spray.
This will help clear away energetic blocks and open you up to your natural flow of blessings.
Easy Beltane Idea #5: Experience Sensual Pleasure.
Sensuality and pleasure are in Beltane’s domain.
Taking even a short moment for earthly enjoyment (today and everyday) can reap wonderful, lasting benefits.
For example, you might slowly eat some gourmet chocolate, mindfully walk barefoot across a lawn, or anoint yourself with a romantic lotion potion.
And, of course, Beltane is possibly the best Sabbat for celebrating and reveling in sexual attraction and romantic love.
What do you think of these Beltane ideas? Did you try any of them? Do you have your own to share?
You may also like these 4 Unique Ideas for Your Beltane Celebration.
Tess Whitehurst says
Hi Traci! Awesome – so glad you liked them. Thank you for sharing them on your blog too. Hope your Beltane was magical!
Anonymous says
Doing the first one. While I was picking up twigs, a little straight cat that has been showing up at my house, kept following me and jumping on every twig he could find. Too funny.
Vika says
Certainly helpful cat haha! Blessed be!
Traci York says
These ideas are awesome! I love them so much that I edited my own Beltane blog post to include this! I quoted the first suggestion, but if you'd rather I just linked to this, please shout out. Thanks for giving my Beltane celebration some much needed inspiration!
http://www.traciyork.com/ww-beltane-blessings/
Nyx Myst says
It depends on which Pagan tradition you follow whether Beltane is celebrated April 30th or May 1st. For some, the celebration begins in the evening of April 30th. For others, it is literally May Day. Neither is wrong.
Tess Whitehurst says
So glad they resonate! Thank you for connecting and for sharing my excitement about the book, and brightest Beltane blessings to you.