Beltane

Beltane is a solar Sabbat that celebrates the holy aspects of sexuality. Although many more common religions of the modern era consider sexuality something that is "unclean" or to be hidden at all costs, Pagans and Witches celebrate sexuality as the physical expression of romantic love, and as a natural gift from the Goddess and God. Many Pagans feel that all acts of consensual love are sacred acts before the Goddess and God and honor Them as a ritual. Family is especially important to Pagan people and the sacred ties of marriage and love are especially honoured. Rites of sexuality also ensure the continued life of our people, through the next generation. The Goddess and God of Old are in myth young and merry at this time. Many Pagan ritual reinact a courtship of sorts between the young Goddess and the young God: the God pursues the Goddess, Who evades Him with laughter and much teasing, eventually to turn the chase around and come willingly into His embrace. Pagans of ancient times often held festivals in which their young people danced and courted throughout the night, and many a marriage was made out of this night.

Ancient customs still in practice today are commonly seen in the Maypole rite. The Maypole, a phallic symbol dedicated to the God, is strung about with ribbons, dedicated to the Goddess, which are then woven together by the men and women of the community in a circle dance. This symbolically and Magickally ensures that the community will continue to be bound together, and that love will continue to tie us.

Legend tells us that this is one of the nights of the year when the Fey Folk are present at our rites. Pagans and Witches will often seek out Faery Rings of Mushrooms, or hollow trees called "Faery Houses" to leave offerings of food and drink for the Fey Ones. The Fey People are considered to be Keepers of the Earth and much Sacred Knowledge, and their presence and Magick much respected. Children born nine months after a Beltane gathering are considered to be Faery Born, gifts of the Gods and especially blessed. This custom continued well into the 1800's, despite official disapproval by the Christian church which became dominant.

The most important ritual still present in Pagan gatherings is the crowning of a May King and May Queen. As Beltane celebrates the Sacred Marriage of the Goddess or God, this Queen is crowned with a wreath of flowers and the King with a wreath of green leaves, to rule over the rite until its end, as living representations of the Goddess and Her Consort. The May Queen leads the dance around the Maypole, and after the ribbons are wound, binding the marriage of the Goddess and God, the May Queen and May King often slowly lower a wreath of flowers down over the Maypole, as a symbolic sexual union between the Two Who Are One.

Many Pagans and Witches consider the month of May to be unlucky for mortal marriages, despite its strong fertility and sexual content. To enter into a human marriage at this time is to trespass on and compete with the celebration for the Sacred Marriage of the Goddess and God. For this reason, although May is a favourite time for weddings among Cowen folk, the Pagan people will wait until the following month to formalise a union. Foods include strawberries and white wines, sugared violets or rose petals, meals made with oats and dairy products, and deserts and teas flavoured with honey are favourites. Celebrate, and enjoy the life that is given to us by the blessings of the Old Ones!