The Sabbat of Beltane

Beltane

Most traditions celebrate on May 1st

 some Celtic traditions celebrate on May 6th
Greater Sabbat

God and Goddess:
Honoring the union of the Maiden Goddess and the God, creating the divine trinity. Some refer to the trinity as the Father, Mother, God; The God, Goddess, Divine Universe; or the Mind (the Maiden), Body (the God) and Spirit (the Divine Union).

General:
Beltane is the great Fertility rite of life! As a spiritual holiday, Beltane is the celebration of life, the land, the union of mankind with the mother earth and the purification and rebirth of all things.

In History: 
Let's start with the name. Beltane, Beltain or Bealtain are all correct spellings. Many historians however suggest the original spelling to be Beltane. In any case, the word consists of two parts. Bel (also Belenos, Beli, Belin or Belinus. Bel is associated with the Roman god Apollo), the patron God of this High Holy Day. Bel is recognized as the son of Light or the first Light of the Universe. He is also considered to be the deity of Therapy further aligning his energies with Apollo. The alternative spelling Beal is associated with a combination of pagan and Christian deities. Bel and Ba'al (meaning 'master') who is found in the Old Testament. His association as the son of light maybe the reason behind his secondary label as the divine Holly King who battles during the year with the wise Oak King.

The recurring theme in the legends of each name described here, is that Bel is the son of the Divine God, not THE God himself. This could be an example of the Holy Trinity that embodies many magikal and even Christian beliefs. The Divine Spirit at the top of the trinity is the whole or the union of the God (the son) and Goddess (the daughter). It's also another representation of his youth as the Holly King.

The second part 'tan', 'tine' or 'tain' meaning fire is associated with the God and the ceremony itself. Bealtaine is the last of the spring festivals, but it rings in the start of summer as well. On the eve of Bealtaine, large bon fires were lit (and still are today) to purify the land from the devastation of winter.

Bealtaine is also seen as the union of the God and the Goddess in matrimony. So how did that come about? According to the The Lebhar Gabhála Éireann, May 1st marks the anniversary that the first human beings set foot on Irish soil. Ireland was considered to be the Lady, the Mother of life giving gifts and sustenance. Some speculate that this event symbolizes the union of the people (The Sons of Mil Éspáine) with Maiden Ireland. The symbolism of this union is presented in the form of the God (the son of light, the sons of Mil Éspáine) with the Goddess (the maiden soil of Ireland).

Traditions

May Pole:
Being a fertility festival, symbols of the God and Goddess can be used as decorations. The May Pole as a symbol of May day is a representation of fertility that survived Christian opposition over various attempts to end it's practice. The concept of a central tree or pole as the center point of the cosmos is widely found in many cultures. Representing the masculine energy of the universe (a phallic symbol), the pole is decorated with brilliant colored ribbons representing the Goddess. Dancing around the pole with the ribbons represent the flowing energy of the cosmos or the waters of the world which bring life to the frozen land.
Here's How:
1. The pole was erected on the village green or common, or even a handy field -- thrust into the ground either permanently or on a temporary basis -- and brightly colored ribbons attached to it. Young people came and danced around the pole, each holding the end of a ribbon. As they weave in and out, men going one way and women the other, it created a sleeve of sorts -- the enveloping womb of the earth -- around the pole. By the time they were done, the Maypole was nearly invisible beneath a sheath of ribbons.
2. To set up your own Maypole dance, here's what you'll need:
• A pole anywhere from 15 to 20 feet long, preferably made of wood
• Guests who like to have fun
Dig a hole in advance, a few feet deep. You don't want your friends to wait while you hunt for a shovel. The hole should be at least three feet deep, to keep the pole from flopping over during the ceremony.
3. Ask each participant to bring their own ribbon -- it should be about 20 feet long, by two to three inches wide. Once everyone arrives, attach the ribbons to one end of the pole (if you put a metal eyelet screw in the pole beforehand, it makes it a lot easier -- you can just tie each ribbon to the eyelet). Have extra ribbons on hand, because inevitably someone will have forgotten theirs.
4. Once the ribbons are attached, raise the pole until it is vertical, and slide it into the hole. Be sure to make lots of bawdy jokes here. Pack dirt in around the base of the pole so it won't shift or fall during the dance.
5. If you don't have an equal number of male and female guests, don't worry. Just have everyone count off by twos. People who are "1" will go in a clockwise direction, people who are "2" go counterclockwise. Hold your ribbons in the hand that is closest to the pole, your inside hand. As you move in the circle, pass people by on first the left, and then the right, then the left again. If you're passing them on the outside, hold your ribbon up so they pass under it. You might want to do a practice round beforehand. Keep going until everyone runs out of ribbon, and then knot all the ribbons at the bottom.
6. One thing that's always welcome at a Maypole Dance is music. There are a number of CDs available, but there are some bands whose music have a May theme to them. Look for the phrase "Morris music" or traditional pipe and drum tunes. Of course, the best thing of all is to have live music, so if you have friends who are willing to share their skill and sit out the dance, ask them to provide some musical entertainment for you.
Tips:
1. If you're doing a kids' Maypole, it's probably easier just to have them all go in one direction with their ribbons. It doesn’t look quite as fancy when it's done, but it's still pretty.
2. You may want to have a crown of flowers attached as well -- put that at the top once all the ribbons are in place, but before you raise the pole.

With Kids:
You could do any craft that involves ribbons and flowers in Beltane colors. Make some flower crown with ribbons trailing down the back or daisy chains. Make a wreath for your front door. If you have girls with long hair you could also have a girl’s day and braid ribbons in their hair. Think of something being a “smaller version” of a may pole, anything with wrapping ribbon! 

Celebration:
Celebrated with the May Pole, flowers of lavender, red and white. Commitment through friendship or wedding rings. Purification with spring water and lighting purifying bonfires are also part of the holiday celebrations. Decorations are as colorful as spring. And don't forget the flowers! Lots and lots of flowers.
On an individual basis, this is a holiday where you should commit yourself to a goal, a purpose or a plan for the remainder of the year. It could be goal to finally learn about holistic healing, or to fully commit yourself to your spiritual path.
On a larger scale, be it a commitment or recommitment between partners, or a commitment within a family or community, the acknowledgment and celebration of union is pretty much the same. If your family has gone through times of turmoil, Imbolg is the best Sabbat to forgive and let go. Followed by Bealtain to recommit support and compassion. For those looking to unite in handfasting, marriage or even starting a family, Bealtain is the Sabbat to celebrate and make that commitment. For a community struggling with every day life, dangers or "evils", Bealtain is a perfect time to take back the streets, clean up the neighborhood and commit to helping those less fortunate than yourself.

Ritual Ideas:
Supplies You’ll Need:
• One White Candle
• Accompanying Candle Holder
• Jasmine Oil
• Carrier Oil ( i.e. Grapeseed Oil)
• Small Oil Bottle
• 12 inch Ribbons of Various Bright Colors (i.e. green, purple, yellow, pink) 
Cast a circle (or just purify the area) and invoke the Goddess and God. Place your items out before you. Fill the oil bottle ¾ full of the carrier oil and add six drops of jasmine oil. Cap and shake. *** If jasmine oil is unavailable to you, olive oil (without a carrier oil) may be used as a substitute.
Take hold of the candle and anoint it with the oil mixture. Say, 
“I purify this candle for ritual use in the name of the Lord and Lady. May its energy now align for this task. Be it pure, well and right.”
Dab the oil on your pulse points (inner wrists). Then place the candle in the holder. Light the wick. 
Speak this incantation,
“Lady of Flowers and Lord of Greenwood 
I honor you tonight on this may eve.
May your marriage and mating 
Bring forth good into the world
Bestow us with your peace and blessings
I celebrate your divine union
With love in my heart.
Blessed Be!”

Next, tie your ribbons together at one end. Then begin weaving them in any fashion (perhaps a braid). Speak the following chant over and over as you weave,
“Weaving, winding,
Beltane, blessing,
Beauty, blossom,
Light & Love”
When you finish, tie a knot and place your ribbon creation next to the candle. Now, push your hands over the flame away from your body to purify yourself of unwanted baggage. Take a moment to visualize negativity leaving you.
Follow by motioning your hands over the flame towards your body to bring forth wishes. Take a moment to visualize what you want to commit to, set a goal for yourself, or what desire you wish to bring into your life (remember Harm None). Finally, let the candle burn as you meditate on your Beltane goal. When you’re done, extinguish the candle and close up your circle. Keep your ribbon on your altar or hang it on the wall in a special place and keep it till you have made your goal.

Beltane Correspondences

Element:

Air

Threshold:

Dawn

Herbs:

Almond, angelica, damiana,hawthorn, hibiscus, saffron, ash tree, bluebells, cinquefoil, daisy, frankincense, ivy, lilac, marsh marigold, meadowsweet, primrose, roses, woodruff, yellow cowslip, yarrow.

Gemstones:

Emerald, orange carnelian, sapphire, rose quartz, lazuli sapphire, yellow agate, bloodstone.

Incense/Oil:

Passion flower, frankincense, tuberose, vanilla, lilac, rose.

Colors/Candles:

Mainly,Red and White (symbolizing God and Goddess), also: dark green, dark yellow, rainbow spectrum, blue,  pastels.

Animals/Mythical beings:

The white cow, goats, giants, rabbits, honey bees, faeries, satyrs, Pegasus.

Tools/Symbols/Decorations:

Maypole and ribbons, flower crowns, fires, bowers, fields, may baskets, white flowers and ribbons, daisy chain, flower chaplet, white wine , chalice, butterchurn, blackthorn and hawthorn branches, seasonal fruit.

Goddesses:

May Queen, Flora, Maia, Flower Goddesses, Lady of the Greenwood, Divine couples, Aphrodite, Blodewedd, Erzulie, Baubo, Rhea, Prithvi.

Gods:

May King, Jack in the Green, Horned God, Herne, Bel, Baal, Gods of the hunt.

Essence:

Compassion, youthful play, exhuberance, sensuality, pleasure, action

Dynamics/Meaning:

Sacred marriage of the Lord and Lady, arrival of the Tuatha de Dannan in Ireland

Purpose:

Fertility festival, celebrate 1st day of Celtic summer, 1st day of light half of the year.

Rituals/Magicks:

The great rite, love, romance and fertility magicks, elf and faery power, offerings to elements, crop blessings, relighting sacred fires, divination, building shrines, fire-calling, honoring house guardians, snake dancing, bathing faces in the morning dew of May to retain their youthful beauty.

Customs:

Maypole erection, dancing around the maypole, bonfires, jumping fire, mating, picking flowers, making flower baskets, frolicking throughout the countryside, archery tournaments, sword dances, feasting, drinking and music, fire dancing, moving the herds to high pastures.

Foods:

Dairy, honey, oats, red fruits, herbal salads, red/pink, wine punch, large round oatmeal/barley cakes, sweets.