Beltane celebrates the consummation or sacred marriage between the Earth and Sky, and this union has been re-enacted throughout the centuries
Beltane Ceremonies have been in full swing across the planet as people celebrate another marker of the change of seasons. Falling midway between the equinox and the solstice, in the northern hemisphere Beltane Ceremonies honour ‘life’ – representing the peak of Spring and the beginning of Summer, when all of life is bursting with potent fertility.
At this point in the Wheel of the Year, the potential is ‘conception’ as the ‘Maiden Goddess’ has reached her fullness. She is the manifestation of growth and renewal, known as the ‘Goddess of Spring’, the ‘May Queen’, and the ‘May Bride’. She is so beautiful and brimming with fertility that the ‘Young Oak King’, also known as ‘Jack-In-The-Green’, or the ‘Green Man’, falls in love with her and wins her hand.
On this day their union is consummated and the May Queen becomes pregnant….Their consummation is the symbolic union of the sacred marriage between the Earth and Sky, and this union has been re-enacted throughout the centuries, with Beltane fires, feasts, and dancing around the Maypole.
You may have been feeling the effects of the Beltane energies in the past few days, as wherever we are on the planet on May Day, Earth’s energies are strong and active. While the season is different in the southern hemisphere, the energy has a similar manifestation.
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It is about embracing and celebrating sensuality, passion, vitality and joy.
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It’s a fantastic time to bring flowers to your altar, light candles and celebrate.
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It also helps us to ‘conceive’ ideas, and focus on bringing hopes and dreams into action, so now is the time to envision your dreams, write, draw, paint and create your unique vision for the year ahead.
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In the bigger picture, it helps us reflect on our capacity for a Sacred Marriage between the inner and outer masculine and feminine, and how the powerful forces of Heaven and Earth unite in our mind, body and spirit.