Beltane in the Park April 23, 2011
Gathering at
11:00AM Rite to start at 1:00PM
Beltane, and its counterpart Samhain, divide the year into its two
primary seasons. As Samhain is about honoring Death, Beltane, is
about honoring Life. Beltane marks the passage into the growing
season. May is the month of sensuality and sexuality revitalized,
the reawakening of the earth and Her Children. It is the time when
we reawaken to the vivid colors, vibrant scents, tingling summer
breezes, and the rapture of summer after a long dormant winter. May
is a time when flowers bloom, trees are green and life has again
returned from the barren landscape of winter, to the hope of
bountiful harvests, not too far away, and the lighthearted bliss
that only summer can bring.
Beltane is also a time for the hand fasting of the Goddess and
God. This is the union between the Great Mother and her Young
Consort. This coupling brings a new cycle of life to the earth.
This union on a Spiritual level is the unifying of the Divine
Masculine and the Divine Feminine. On the physical, it is the
union of the Earth and Sun that brings about the fruitfulness of
the growing season.
The Maypole is an important element to Beltane festivities, it
is a tall pole decorated with long brightly colored ribbons,
leaves, flowers and wreaths. Young maidens and lads each hold
the end of a ribbon, and dance revolving around the base of the
pole, interweaving the ribbons. As the dancers revolve around the
pole the ribbons will weave creating a pattern, it is said that
the pattern will indicate the abundance of harvest year. The
magical energy raised while dancing the Maypole is sent into the
earth's womb, awakening Her and encouraging fertility of the land.
After the rains of April, Iris brings the rainbow. Iris is the
messenger who speaks directly to the soul. Swift as thought, she
binds earth to sky with ribbons of light.
Many bright blessings to you and yours this Beltane. May this
year bring you many pleasant surprises!
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