BELTANE
LIFEFORCE
The Moon is in her waning gibbous phase in Capricorn
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 and many retrograded planets. 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?! Are dormant seeds suddenly poking through the darkness?
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.
It is also the season for fertility rites and powerful energy to harness for those looking to create new life in all the ways
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 with 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. Taureans by nature are very good at this - showing us how to indulge our senses
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. Something to ponder…
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!
Please listen to this WATER transmission
~ Invitation ~
Surrender to the feeling of the rising energy without needing to harness it. Find ways to wield your life force that comes from an inner impetus rather than be pulled along before you are ready. Its tempting to fall into the slipstream of these intoxicating energies
MOON
Capricorn at Beltane would suggest a subconscious realm that holds a sense of resilience and determination to earth our dreams and desires
ALTAR
It is time to call in the sacred union or ‘sacred marriage’. The Heiros Gamos.
Whilst we can interpret this in terms of union between two lovers it is also concerned with the Sacred Inner Marriage - an internal alchemical process that invites the sacred feminine into holy union with the sacred masculine. This return to inner wholeness is the key to creating peace in the self and in the community
The greening of the land is upon us and we can celebrate the life giving abundance and rich medicine that is supporting us - our altars can be filled with fragrant blossom and the rich life force of mother natures powerful fire energy
Taurus Season
Taurus is all about Earthly embodiment - so what is showing up for you? How are you being called into the Earth realm of your own eco system? How can you support and nourish yourself on every level?
PRACTICE
Fires of purification and flames of passion
Consider jumping the Beltane flame in your own way - you can even jump over a simple candle with intention. Ideally this is a group celebration of life rather than a solitary one but make your ritual your own
JOURNAL
What spark of life is calling for your attention.
What is your love language?
What is making you nervous you want it so much?
What direction are you moving in?
What is important and what needs a spring clean of purification, a new direction or perspective?
ASTRO HERBALISM WITH PLANT KIN
Plant spirit support
Lemon Balm
This delightful and powerful herb is an amazing support for feeling fractured and frazzled. She has scented high notes that makes her easy to identify in the family of mints. She both uplifts as well as calms. Again this speaks to the sacred marriage of harmony and balance. For me her dual energies of uplifting yet holding make her an ideal tonic for these times
Tenacious Dandelion is now out in full force - consider making a dandelion honey or continuing to taste her in salads to get the green bitters supporting your liver - at the very least - let her grow and share her rich healing properties with the land. She will aereate the soil and offer much needed sustenance for the pollinators
Wild garlic is flowering so you can batter these for a fun edition to meals or make pickled buds if you still have them. The mints have had a resurgence and are returning thick and fast. I trecked through a boggy forest the other day utterly filled with water mint - it was a whole body experience! The three cornered leeks have now gone over in my garden but the Lady’s Smocks are still just there - these tender pink buds pack a punch as our native mustard / horseradish
Can you feel the land pulsing with life?!
INCANTATION
“My body is my home, I vow to tend to this home with love and attention. I treat my home like beloved landscape and nourish its soil, careful to replenish its precious resources.”
RITUAL
The druids used honey and milk to show offerings to the land in exchange for their harvests. Consider using honey in a ritual such a face or body mask and lean into the goddess invocation as you annoint yourself with the honey nectar of the bee priestesses. See how much love goes into the creation of all things and bless yourself. Acknowledge yourself as a divine creatrix and honey bee of the hive of your life.
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD
Our kin in the Southern Hemisphere are sliding along the harvest season and into the descent - in this way the great mother shows us how to live in balance
ARCHETYPE
I am working with the Empress Archetype at this time. This powerful nurturer who presides over her kingdom with love and nurture. She knows how to balance giving with receiving and is blessed with so many skills in the way of the land and its tending. I would encourage you to deepen with this archetype in your own way - get to know her and how you can invite her energy into your life.
May you surrender it all up to spirit and allow your creative life force to blossom
May your Beltane fires flow with creativity and inspiration
Many blessings on your bright fires
Next Steps on the pathway …
As the moon turns dark you will be guided to the next doorway