AIR

BELTANE

THE IGNITION OF LIFE

The Moon is waxing in her first quarter phase, just over half way to becoming full as we move towards Beltane on Monday. It is currently in the sign of Leo (more fire). Pluto will also move into a retrograde phase on Monday ~ this sign connects us to the underworld, the subconscious realms and transformation. It is the ruler of Scorpio - which is the sign that the moon will wax to fullness under. These planets tend to govern that which is taboo, unspoken and yet has great power - sex, death and money. We may experience some old wounds resurfacing during this phase. As ever we can look to the earth mother for support and holding through these paths. As a collective we are in a powerful time of rebirth.

Beltane refers to ‘The fires of Bel’ (Belenus is the Celtic sun god - within which we also have the reference to El. El (the root meaning ‘light’) and a connection to Elen of the Ways - a prominent goddess of the trackways in this land. Elen can support us when we are off the beaten track and sitting in the unknowable mystery. If we are lost - Elen can help us find our way. Of course we also have her sister goddess in Brighid - another fire goddess of these lands who connects us to the light.

It has been a powerful and overwhelming arrival into Spring energetically with the eclipse portal, the retrograde and the second Aries new moon. Don’t be surprised if you feel chaotic - travelling through periods of heightened excitement and lows from the relentless and tiring energies. You might feel heavy, foggy or confused. Retrograde periods tend to slow us down and really make us take stock. What is being revealed through this. The more you resist the more you may find resistance. Equally what is bursting forth and propelling through. What energies are full of their own life force that you can not control!

Mercury is retrograde for another couple of weeks so be aware of how this may affect your ability to communicate. Don’t forget to use Rosemary if you need support with clarity. Vervain is good for inspiration if it feels lacking. Retrogrades have us revisiting old ground - especially in terms of communications.

Taurus season is for the lovers and Beltane is traditionally a time of hand-fastings across the land - sacred ancient land based pagan marriage rites - where the couple would jump the broom hand in hand and head over the threshold with their hopes and dreams together symbolically and energetically bound in their hands.

Hawthorn is the tree of Beltane - from where we get the May flower - the May blossom of the Hawthorn trees. And of course we connect to the May Pole - the symbol of the sword (the channel between heaven and earth planted in the ground and the dancing around it representing the swirling of the fecund energies - (symbolic of the the double helix of the DNA strand, the kundalini rising, the spanda, life force growing). Working with Hawthorn blossom always feels very playful and maiden like in energy to me. And we need to be reminded to have fun - to play, to relax, to lean into the surrender to the joy of living.

It is said that the only time you should bring a bough of Hawthorn inside is on Beltane. I am always intrigued by these suggestions - I wonder where they originate and how much magic we might be missing due to outdated concepts to do more with control than truth.

I was once told that you could make a powerful virility elixir and conversely one to help cessate desire with Hawthorn - one with the leaves and the blossoms and one without. The person sharing this with me forgot which way round it was. I have made both and am yet to discover which is which. I am forever reminded that the intention of the maker and the taker are also powerful!