How has a third of 2024 already passed?! It always shocks me but it also tells me that it's time for Beltane! For those who aren't familiar with the Neo-Pagan Wheel of the Year, Beltane is another name for May Day.
Beltane is a very special time to me and I must admit that this is the time of year when I marvel at all of the flowers, buds and general outpouring of life. The one flower that I love for this turning of the Wheel is the Cherry Blossom or Sakura. I love to see the cherry blossoms and have even changed my phone's theme so I can see it every day.
This time of year isn't just sacred to the Ancient Celts who would have celebrated Beltane with cattle being driven through the smoke of the balefires, and blessed with health and fertility for the coming year.
The Greeks would have celebrated Plynteria in honour of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle and the patroness of the city of Athens (which was named after her). It lasted for 2-3 days beginning around 25th May. Temples were closed to the general public. The Plynteria included the ritual cleansing of Athena's statue, along with feasting and prayers in the Parthenon. In the temple of Athena, only women performed the task of cleansing the statue, which was hidden behind a large cloth so that no one could see it during this sacred time.
The Romans spent the first day of May paying tribute to their Lares, the gods of their household. They also celebrated “Floralia”, or festival of flowers. This consisted of three days of unbridled sexual activity. Participants wore flowers in their hair, and there were plays, songs and dances. At the end of the festivities, animals were set loose inside the Circus Maximus, and beans were scattered around to ensure fertility.
There are quite a few Gods associated with the festival of Beltane: Apollo, Baldur, Beal/Bel/Belenos, Cernunnos, Chung K'uei, the Horned God, Odin, Pan, Pluto, Ra, and Wotan. And just as many Goddesses too: Aphrodite, Artemis, Astarte, Bona Dea, Chin-hua-fu-jen, Danu, Diana, Flora, Freya, Horae, Maia, Prosperina, Rauni, Sarasvati, and Venus.
The colours associated with Beltane could be used to inform a particular kind of ritual or spell that you wish to do at this time:
Brown – animals, earth energies, family, protection, wealth
Green – abundance, fertility, growth, health, life, prosperity, vegetation, wealth
Pink – beauty, cooperation, contentment, friendship, love, nurture, romance
White – lunar energies, purity, power, protection
Yellow – communication, dream work, happiness, solar energies
When it comes to herbs, crystals, and plants, there are so many that are associated with Beltane but if you are wanting to use specific ones in a ritual or spell, then use the ones that you want to use. They don't have to be associated with Beltane for you to include them in a Beltane ritual/spell.
As has become my habit, I did a reading around Beltane using a spread by Emerald Lotus but rather than reach for one of my many tarot or oracle decks, I chose to reach for one of my rune-sets. I wanted to use the runes because I feel like I haven't paid them enough attention recently.
What energy is around me at this Beltane?
Dagaz
This is the rune of dawn or daybreak, so it's saying that the energy around me at Beltane is all about new-ness, like new beginnings, new starts, new cycles, and new relationships.
But I also feel like there's an energy of hope because the bright light of dawn appears after the darkness of night has deepened in preparation for a whole new day to begin.
So there was a hopeful beginning happening at Beltane for me, and I look forward to what comes of it.
What can I learn from Beltane this year?
Ingwaz
This rune is associated with Ingwho was the Norse earth god, Tyr who was the Norse god of justice, and the Norse god of prosperity, sunshine and fertility, Freyr. Odin also makes his presence known through this rune, as it's more of a gestational, creation kind of rune - if you look at it, it's a very simple image of DNA.
I feel like this rune is saying that I can learn how to have patience, to truly put projects, plans and ideas together so that they thrive in the wider world.
How can I let light into my life?
Ansuz
This rune is also associated with Odin but more around the communication of the runes and their lore. I feel like this rune is saying that I can let light into my life by paying attention to the signs, signals and messages I receive.
Odin has a tendency to not speak unless his wisdom is necessary and needed so I feel like he's telling me to listen more than I speak so that I can actually look around and truly see what I need to see.
I can also let light in by being open to greater and deeper knowledge and wisdom but I can only do this by releasing some burdens I no longer need to carry.
What area should I light a fire to and release?
Sowilo
This rune is associated with the Sun so it's all about success, and achieving goals. I feel like this rune is saying that I need to release the times when I followed bad advice that I'd been given in the past because it's still causing me issues mentally. These events weigh heavily because I could have done things differently and had an easier time of achieving my personal goals.
I need to release my past in general so that I am no longer influenced by a lack of power to make positive changes in my life. This really is a burden that I no longer need to carry.
What area of my life is fertile for growth?
Tiwaz
This rune is associated with the Norse sky god, Tyr. Tyr was also associated with justice as he had his hand bitten off while making a deal with the wolf Fenrir. Anyway, I feel like this rune is saying that the area of my life that is ready for growth is likely to be knowing where my true strengths lie.
But another thing that this rune is associated with is the wolf or dog community that is better known as a pack. Perhaps it's time for my sense of community and teamwork needs to grow.
Either that or I need to think about growing and learning about my inner, quiet, calm warrior.
How can I manifest abundance as Summer approaches?
Nauthiz
This rune is associated with the Norns, the Norse goddesses who oversaw the past, present and future with their weavings. I feel like this rune's message is that I need to use the power of my will to overcome any distress, confusion or conflict.
There's also a message of patience within this rune as I feel like recognising my fate will take time but I will also need to be determined in this endeavour.
Nauthiz does have a dual nature because it's all about need, whether physical or spiritual so manifesting abundance could be a spiritual or physical endeavour/journey.
This was a really interesting reading that has given me quite a lot to think about. Beltane was certainly a special time for me as I rediscovered my passions. This was certainly a time of introspection and has only re-affirmed that I should use my runes more often than I have in the past.
I hope this inspires you for what you could think about at Beltane. Not just with doing your own reading but also the various associations (gods, goddesses, crystals etc) that you could work with or explore at this time.
Peace and love to all!!!!
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