Father Sun shines brightly
Warming mother Earth
Joining in creation
Nurturing growth
It’s the Beltane season within the Southern Hemisphere – the traditional time to observe fertility celebrations. A few centuries ago, you would have been preparing your bonfire; deciding which of your lusty neighbours were worthy of your attentions.
I’ve included many ideas, both historical and modern, to help you decide how to honour the abundance of life that returns to us each year after the cold winter months have passed. These may be found on my website ~ please click here.
The Beltane bonfire is a tradition that goes back hundreds of years. The bonfire was not just for warmth and light. It was a time of community and gathering; merry-making and festivities. Traditionally, it was lit with a bundle of nine different types of wood on Beltane Eve and allowed to burn through to the following nightfall. Each household would take a piece of wood from the fire back to their own homes and light their own fires from the Bel-fire. This was to ensure abundance through the coming seasons.
Today, I prepared my Beltane Ribbon Tree: a 2 metre tall dead tree, painted pink, decorated with crystals and white ribbons. The following ritual was developed from the wonderful wisdom of other people and adapted for my own use. I hope you may find it useful as well.
Visualise yourself standing in front of the Beltane Fire – a large bonfire where the flames cleanse, clear and re-energise the world that we live within. With you is a basket with all that you require for this healing ceremony.
We symbolically join hands in a circle of energy for healing; Welcoming Universal Source in all its forms – Help us to bring ourselves into the alignment that is our Truth so that our bodies, in the Now can heal and be at rest.
Visualise yourself dancing, laughing and singing around the Fire.
Beltane is here! It is a time when the earth is fertile and full.
Long ago, our ancestors planted their fields at Beltane.
The fields that lay fallow for months are now warm and waiting.
The soil that was dormant for the winter now begs us to plant our seeds.
The earth is awakening and ripe, and this is a season of love and passion.
As our fires grow, lighting up the night sky, the fire within us grows stronger.
It is the fire of lust and passion, knowing that like the earth, we too are fertile.
Tonight, the God emerges from the forest. He is known by many names –
He is Pan, Herne, Cernunnos, the Green Man. He is the God of the Forest.
Tonight is the night he will chase and capture the maiden.
She is the Queen of the May, Aphrodite, Venus, Cerridwen.
She is the Goddess of fields and flowers, she is Mother Earth herself.
Fire and passion, love and life, brought together as one.
Lady Goddess ~ you are the earth, the womb of all creation.
Like the earth itself, Within me, new life grows each year.
Water is my blood, air my breath, and fire is my spirit.
We give you honour through our co-creation with you.
Lord God ~ you are the fertile stag, the seed, the energy of life.
You are the mighty oak that grows in the forest; The spark to the fire.
We give you honour through our co-creation with you.
Now visualise a tree in your mind – a tree that has special significance to you or the Tree Of Life is appropriate here…
Walk around the tree three times, clockwise. At the end of each rotation, touch the tree with your right hand and make a heart connection with it.
As you circle the tree for the first time, say: “With a grateful heart and loving mind I give thanks for your wisdom”. Touch the tree with your right hand for as long as you feel necessary.
As you circle the tree for the second time, say: “With a passion-filled heart and respectful mind, I give thanks for your silent strength”. Touch the tree with your right hand.
As you circle the tree for the third time, say: “With a blossoming heart and inspired mind I give thanks for your wild beauty.” Touch the tree with your right hand.
Sit or kneel in front of the tree. Take the honey from inside your healing basket and pour a little at the base of the tree and say: “May you be blessed with Beltane’s bursting, replenished in Beltane’s greening, strengthened by Beltane’s passionate flame. Brightest Beltane Blessings on you my friend.”
Pour the last of your honey out at the base of the tree. Take ribbons from your basket. Each represents a person, situation or place that requires healing. Tie them to the branches of the Tree. State: “With love, gratitude and open heart.”
Thank the tree, the fire and the Universal Forces for a wonderful healing and blessing ceremony.
Namaste
Caithe
References:
Hold a Beltane Bonfire by Patti Whittington (2011) http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/beltanemayday/ht/BeltaneBonfire.htm
Beltane Tree Blessing Charm by A Sacred Journey (2011 ) http://celticawitch.wordpress.com/2011/04/13/beltane-tree-blessing-charm/