Beltane Greetings

 

Beltane Greetings, everyone!

Ostara

 

Spring begins today!

Return Of Persephone

It is Beltane once again in the northern hemisphere, time for fertility rituals and celebrations of the return of the growing season. In Pagan life, this is the time of year that belongs to the Goddess; late Autumn and Winter are the seasons of the God. On Halloween, Persephone disappears into the Underworld and to her consort, Hades, and on Beltane, she returns to the surface. Her mother, Demeter, graces the earth with plants and crops for another growing season. Fertility was celebrated at this time, and entire villages ran their herds through ceremonial fires, called bale fires, for fertility and luck. Dancing around the Maypole, during which every dancer "weaves" ribbons around a maypole while dancing, is also a very old custom. It has always been a time for parties and joy. Have a wonderful Beltane!

Celebration Of Beltane

Beltane is celebrated either on the first of May, or on the first full moon of Taurus. It is the Pagan celebration of fertility, the time of blessing fields, herds, and of announcing engagements and marriages. The Goddess is celebrated by sensuality
and beauty, and in some ancient Northern European villages, all fires were extinguished, in order to be ceremoniously re-lit from the ritual balefire. It was a festival that involved everyone.

This is the celebration of Persephone's return from the realm of the underworld. On Halloween, she has become the consort of Hades, Lord of the underworld, and in this capacity, Persephone is the Queen of the Dead. During the six months between Halloween and Beltane, the earth is at rest, and growing season is dormant. It begins again, full swing, at her return.

Light Of The Earth

Happy Alban Eiler, everyone! Alban Eiler means "light of the earth", and today is the first day of spring! Sacred to the Goddess Ostara, the vernal equinox is the original Easter. The ancients wanted to make sure fields were plowed, or ready to be plowed, and eggs were decorated,  symbolic of fertility. Easter egg hunts were held in celebration, and rabbits are also associated with this Sabbat, as fertility symbols. Even those among us whose pursuits are not agricultural should still prepare in whichever ways are appropriate for the upcoming seasons of planting and harvesting. I hope everyone is ready for a fun and productive growing season. Blessed Be!

Beltane Fire

Dancing flames in Beltane fires

Passion, strength, and Love's desires!

In Case You Didn't Make It To Church On Sunday

If you didn't make it to church on Sunday, you missed Easter Sunday, the day when all the Christians pretend that Easter has something to do with them! the real Easter is over; it's actual date coincides with the Vernal Equinox. The bunnies, eggs, and chicks are symbols of fertility. Be careful how your youth pastor celebrates this occasion with your children.