Beltane: Celtic May Day
Beltane, celebrated as the Celtic May Day, is the season of maturing life and deep found love. This is the time of vows, handfastings and commitment. The Lord and his Lady, having reached maturity, come together in Perfect Love and Perfect Trust to celebrate the joy of their union. This is a time to celebrate the coming together of the masculine and feminine creative energies.
It is also the holiday of soulful love, a time when we feel called to open our hearts and or connect more deeply with others. It celebrates love, attraction and courtship, and “spring fever” or “mating season.”
Many modern couples decide to marry, or pledge their love in a sacred ceremony or hand-fasting on this holiday.
One of the more well-known examples of Beltane is the scene in the movie, Camelot, where Queen Guinevere goes off with her court “a Maying.” She sang the famous Lerner and Lowe sone, “It’s May.”
In Beltane: The Lovers Entwine, it’s explained this way: “Beltane, or May Day, as it also known, occurs at the peak of Spring. This is the time of year when the earth basks in the gentle embrace of the sun’s warmth. The warmth of the sun helps plants blossom, crops fertilize and the rivers overflow with the melted snow of winter past. Animals frolic about searching for mates. People fall in love and consume each other in fiery passion.”
Beltane is both sexy and sacred -- it's symbolic of the passion and love between the Goddess and God. Divine passion was evident in all of nature’s bounty springing forth at this time of year.
Legend has it too that in ancient times, the annual Beltane Baby Boom followed, nine months later.
Pictured: The Offbeat Bride, Rowan, Urban Farmer, Textile Artist, and owner of Rowanica Designs (and Tribesmaid). Her offbeat partner: Peter, Occupational Safety and Health Specialist, Science Nerd, Musician, and Permaculturist.
