Beltane

Sabbats

The sacred marriage of goddess and god. Fire festival—cattle driven between two fires for purification. Night when faeries ride and the greenwood calls. Maypole represents union of masculine (pole) and feminine (ribbons, earth). Life force at peak. The Red Goddess walks.

Tradition · Wiccan ModernCross Quarter

Correspondences

Elemental Correspondence
Fire
Planetary Correspondence
Venus

Offerings

Offerings
FlowersHoney cakesMeadMilkHawthorn blossomsDancingUnion with belovedFire offeringsRibbons

Sacred timing

Sacred Timing
Begins
Sunset april 30
Peak
Dawn may 1
Ends
Sunset may 1
Moon phase ideal
Full moon
Planetary hour
Venus or mars

Symbols and forms

Alternate Names
May DayMay EveWalpurgis NightCétshamhainBright Fire
Symbols
MaypoleBonfireHawthornFlowersRibbonsMay basketGreen manAntlers

Practice

Invocation Approach
Tone
Ecstatic celebration of life force
Address to
May queenMay kingGreen manGoddess in full bloomHorned god
Relationship
Participant in divine union
Warning
Boundaries essential in ecstatic states
Resonance
Lovers creatives those embracing desire
Modern Practice

Build and dance the maypole. Jump bonfire for purification and blessing. Leave offerings for faeries. Honor desire as sacred. Handfastings traditional. Make love with intention if appropriate. This is the peak of life force—use it for creation.

Nature and meaning

Mythology Summary

The sacred marriage of goddess and god. Fire festival—cattle driven between two fires for purification. Night when faeries ride and the greenwood calls. Maypole represents union of masculine (pole) and feminine (ribbons, earth). Life force at peak. The Red Goddess walks.

Deities
FreyjaAphroditeVenusFloraPanCernunnos

Details

Pronunciation
BEL-tayn, BELL-tin-ah
Wheel Position
Peak fertility
Order
5
Dates
Northern hemisphere
Primary
May 1
Range
April 30 to may 1
Astronomical
Sun at 15 degrees taurus
Southern hemisphere
Primary
November 1
Range
October 31 to november 1
Themes
FertilityUnionSacred sexualityPassionFireThe greenwoodMay queen may kingHieros gamosLife forceVitality
Secondary Elements
Earth
Secondary Planets
MarsSun
Zodiac Position
Taurus
Correspondences
Colors
RedWhiteGreenGoldRainbow
Stones
EmeraldRose QuartzCarnelianMalachiteBloodstone
Herbs
HawthornRoseBirchRowanWoodruffMeadowsweetDamiana
Scents
RoseLilacVanillaFrankincense boswellia sacraYlang ylang
Woods
HawthornBirchOakRowan
Animals
White cowStagGoatBeeDove
Tarot
The LoversThe EmpressThe EmperorAce of Cups
Runes
GeboIngwazBerkano
Ritual Focus
Primary
FertilityUnionPassion ignition
Workings
Sex magicLove spellsFertility ritesHandfastingFire jumpingMaypoleSacred union
Avoid
BanishingDeath workCelibate workings
Veil work
Veil between worlds thin—faerie contact
Preceded by
Ostara
Followed by
Litha
Opposite Sabbat
Samhain
Wheel Teaching

Desire is sacred fire. Union creates. Life force is meant to be used, not hoarded. Embrace the body, the earth, the beloved. What is joined in love grows strong.

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Referenced by 103

Every entry that names Beltane, grouped by the system it comes from.

☥ Deities 83

🜂 Incense & resins 18

🜔 Elements 2

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