Beltane also known as Cetshamhain (and May Day in the Northern Hemisphere) is the halfway point between spring and summer and is celebrated as a fertility and/or fire festival.  Traditionally it is a Gaelic festival which is part of the four seasonal festivals celebrated in Ireland and Scotland. Historically Beltane dew was collected in the morning to promote beauty and youthfulness, as well collecting water from holy wells for the same purpose.  Rites which includes the building of communal bonfires were held to protect and encourage growth of people’s harvest and livestock by going around or over said bonfires whilst being bedecked in flowers, ribbons and shells as representations to invoke protection.  Offerings were made to the sprits and fairies and embers were taken from communal bonfires and taken home where their hearths were ignited, to bring the protection home where feasting would then follow.  These days the focus of this fertility festival by neo pagans and witches is placed upon honouring the union of the God and the Goddess as well as making offerings to the spirits of the land which can involve maypole dancing, bonfire and feasting.

This year in the Southern Hemisphere calendar,  it falls on Saturday the 8th of November at 8.12am (Traditional Date is Friday the 31st October). Gods such as Artemis, Apollo, Flora, Bacchus, Bes, Kokopelli, Pan, Hera, Herne, Sheela-na-Gig, Eros, Venus, Xochiquetzal, Vesta, Odin, Priapus, Cernunnos, Orien and Mbaba Mwana Waresa can be honoured during this time of year.

I have celebrated Beltane with groups of people in various settings and the one thing which I found linked them, was the coming together to celebrate the quickening of the land with dancing and feasting.  Something which I have experienced often during this festival day, is the acknowledgement of the polarities of the earth and the union of these polarities. 

One of the fondest memories I have during this time of year is celebrating Beltane with bonfires whilst wearing wreaths upon my head which has been handmade from my garden’s flowers, trees and herbs.    In my coven and magickal groups we would always have fires usually in the form of a firepit or fireplace where we performed rites to celebrate the significance of the day, as well as perform various forms of divination using fire such as scrying in the flames of said fire.

As an avid herbalist, during this time of year, I notice that my garden is bursting with new life.  A lot of my herbs are flowering which allows me to take cuttings and transplant them, make pressings for my herb grimoire and also for drying or preserving to be used in magickal workings later.  The flowers are blooming in my garden, most predominately the heirloom roses and lavender which were planted by now deceased family members which makes them even more special. I tend to take the rose petals and lavender flowers and make water essences for beauty products I hand make as well ritual and magical use such as incense blends or candles.  My sultana grape vine is absolutely flourishing and I collect the excess of leaves for rice stuffed vine leaves as well as for garlands I wear whilst conducting my rites.  

I like to acknowledge and thank the traditional owners of the land as well my garden and the Devas of the land and its blessings by leaving tokens and offerings throughout my garden.   I ensure the bird bath and feeders are functioning, as well as encourage any insects or bees which pollinate my garden by leaving them appropriate food such as organic honey water.

During this time of year I also tend to cook and bake as a way to infuse my personal energies with the offerings I make to my Gods, Ancestors and land spirits.  I use what is in season and make a lamb roast, Greek style, but in recent years rosemary infused from my garden and serve it with Greek pine wine and rice stuffed vine leaves which I then offer upon Hekate’s, Dionysus and my ancestors shrines during my seasonal devotionals.  I also bake things like fruit pies and apple tea cakes and leave these offerings on the base of my favourite trees in my garden some of which I have been practising magick with for many years.  

Since Beltane ends up being around Samhain in the Northern Hemisphere I also ensure I have lots of sweets on hand to give out to trick-or-treaters.   Along with this I like to visit my blessed dead at the cemetery where I clean their tombstones and refresh their offerings which consists of various things including flowers, olive oil, water and incense.  I recite prayers to them and also the land devas where the cemetery is located ensuring to always acknowledge the original indigenous custodians.

I personally feel that Hekate resonates with this time of the year.  The light is growing as is the potential within us to take up her torches and flame the fertile energies we want to manifest.  The time is full of possibility as the sun waxes and strengthens towards summer, so now is the time to fully ignite our personal fires.  As our days lengthen use the flames of Hekate to propel and push you towards attaining that which you want to grow.

Hekate can be a guiding force which moves us away from that which is stagnant and decayed and helps us turn our attention towards that which needs fertilising and can bring great growth and future bounty.  She does this by assisting us to burn away the old to make way for the new by clearing and regenerating.  

I personally like to honour Hekate during this time and make offerings of  eggs, apples, meat (lamb/goat), flowering herbs (including lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, lemon balm, mint) pomegranates, mead, wine, grape juice, brandy, puffed wheat, fruit pies or cakes, oat cakes and bread, dandelion tea and fruit punch. 

I also like to throw any old herbs, plants and tree branches which I can’t upcycle into my Hellenic firepit before my chthonic shrine to Hekate in my garden.

Seasonal Planting Guide:

Vegetables such as capsicum, celery, chilli, beetroot, carrot, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, potato, pumpkins, leeks, silver beet, squash, beans, beetroot, corn and zucchini.

Herbs such as basil, coriander, dill, chamomile, parsley, oregano, rosemary, rue, thyme, mint, lemon balm and sage.

Flowers such as petunias, snapdragons, daisies, carnations, lavender, pansies, foxglove, dahlia and marigold.

Some things you can do to honour and mark Beltane in your personal practice (or with a group of likeminded individuals) can be:

Make food usually consumed during this time and partake or share with loved ones, as well as leave as offerings to your gods or gods of the season, land spirits and ancestors: meat (lamb), wine, ale, cakes made from oat and fruit and anything which can be shared and is seasonal.Make floral or herbal wreaths or bouquets to adorn yourself with, decorate your altars, shrines or doorways with, leave as offerings for the spirits, devas and elementals of the earth, seasonal God/dess or your patron/matron.Rituals, spells and magick for fertility and endeavours which you want to see growth in (especially at dawn and dusk).Acknowledge the four cardinal points and make offerings to them consisting of the four elements they encompass – earth, air, fire and water.  You can also recite evocations to them whilst doing this starting from the east.Leave food and drink on your home’s doorstep to appease the fairies and spirits who might be mischievous or wish you harm. Milk, bread or biscuits made from seasonal grains will be well received.Get up at sunrise and visit a holy well and walk the path of the sun (east to west) whilst praying for good health.  Collect the morning dew in a glass jar, leave it out in the full sun of the day, then strain/filter it and wash your face with it before going to bed, to be able to imbue yourself with beauty, health and vitality.Take the day off if you can and spend the time in nature ie a picnic or hike.Light a fire (bonfire, firepit or fireplace) or candles to celebrate and honour the light of the sun during this time.  If it’s a fire as part of a bonfire or firepit, walk around it or jump over it three times.Take a torch, taper or candle and from the flames of the bonfire,  firepit or fire place  you have created, walk around your house whilst invoking protection for all those who live within its boundaries.Craft some items which resonate with the season for you.Revamp your shrine or altar with the colours of Beltane (Green, Red, White and Silver).Make protection talismans for the home such as oak crosses and hanging eggs.

So work your magick this Beltane, honour the land and its spirits, and ask for protection and what you want to make fertile in your life.

(c) T. Georgitsis 2021, Updated 2023/5