The word "Bealtaine" (Beltaine) means "fire of Bel".  Bel is the "bright and shining one".  In modern Irish, Bealtaine means "May".  In his honor, on the eve of May 1st, the ancient Celts set two large fires using nine of the sacred woods.  Animal herds were ritually driven between the two fires to purify and protect them from disease and harm.

On Bealtaine, witches celebrate the great fruitfulness of the earth.  In our rite we light a beltaine fire symbolically in a cauldron, using the sacred woods.  If we have the space, we light a large fire more in keeping with tradition.  In ritual we celebrate the union between the Great Mother and her young horned God.  Their coupling brings a fresh new life on earth, which we each experience in the exuberant healing of spring.

Bealtaine is the season to "go a-Maying".  may is a month of sensuality and sexual revitalization.  Our five senses are particularly sharp in May.  Love is in the air.  On this day, couples may decide to live together for a year and a day by handfasting.

May Eve is a time of preparation for May Day.  This evening is spent singing, feasting, dancing and watching the flames of the Bealtaine fire.  The next morning some of the hot coals are placed in the cauldron for all to jump over before the maypole dance.

The Bealtaine Ritual

Preparation

Green is the colour of Bealtaine.  The altar should be draped in green cloth and decorated with blooming flowers and herbs.  At Bealtaine we wear green robes, many coloured vestments, and floral crowns.  Sometimes we braid flowers in our hair or don leafy green masks to represent the "green people". or Pan race, who have pointy ears and little horns.  The legend of  Robin Hood, who dressed in green from top to toe, symbolizes the return of gifts of things stolen from us by winter.

Ritual Tools

A floral crown, a chalice of spring water, an athame, a cauldron, twigs of sacred woods, matches.

Ritual Place and Time

At Bealtaine the is at 15.00 degrees

Bealtaine Ritual

Priest

The light, long smothered by winter's chill in Bel's halls beneath the the earth, is now set free.  The Goddess Dana, once restrained by the dark season's lord, is now released from his hold.  The seed of life buried in loan long ago springs forth anew.  Think now on the never-ending cycle of light and darkness; how the light first blazes ever so bright, then sinks into the depths, dark, and nigh into death, yea, snuffed into death.  We, the children of the Goddess on the verge of summer, tender now our memories of summer days and warmer seasons past.

Priestess

We call on our Earth Mother to return, to reclaim the domain and her throne of power.  We call for the May Queen and bid her answer to her children's call.

At this point, another priestess who has been selected is named Rhiannon and called by the first priestess.

Priestess

Rhiannon, step forward.  How may we herald the return of our Goddess?  How may we hasten the arrival of spring?  How may we initiate the magic of life's return and encourage mother Dana to blanket the Earth with greenery and the warmth of love?

The Priestess hands a crown that is green and decorated with flowers to Rhiannon.

Priestess

Thus we mark this holy day.  Thus we crown the Queen of May.

Rhiannon places the crown on her head.

Coven

We light the Bel fire and call our Goddess forth.  We bid great Dana to return to the lusty embrace of mighty Belenos, Sun God.

O! great God of shiny countenance and ruddy cheeks, let your flames melt our Goddess' heart once more.  Let your love Quicken the life within her womb.

A Bel fire is now set alight either on a hill or in a cauldron.  The Priestess invokes over the flames.

Priestess

Hear us, ye old ones.  We call forth the Goddess Dana from her hidden realm, for this is the time she reclaims her power.  We call to thee, O! Dana, Queen of May, faery fair, Goddess of Moon and Earth.  Thee, great star Goddess, come to us, great Dana, and share thy powers.  Return!  Return!  Return to your children who gather in thy name.  O! bride of the Sun, Earth Mother, return.

The Priestess lifts the chalice.  The Priest lifts his athame.

Priest

Belenos, Belenos, up from the South, we call thee.  Sun God, who courses the heavens with chariot and steeds of fire, whose bow looses the arrow of sunlight, whose rays now beat once more upon the earth and by turn nourish temperate breezes, favor us with blessings
O! great Sun God, in thy mating with the Goddess. Bring us joy and passion and bless in sweet surrender Pleasure our Goddess with summer heat.

The Priest turns the blade in the water three times.  They each take a sip of the water and set it the chalice down.  Now everybody jumps the flaming cauldron singing the following song:

Coven

Here we come a piping,
in Springtime and in May.
Green fruit a ripening,
and winter flood away.
The Queen, she sits upon the strand,
fair as lily, white as wand.
seven billows on the sea,
horses riding fast and free,
and bells upon the sand.

After the ritual of jumping the cauldron, all participants dance around the maypole, singing the following song:

Coven

May the balance be restored,
Between the Lady and the Lord.
Earth below and sky above,
share the blessings of their love.

(Ritual from Celebrate the Earth by Laurie Cabot)

Quarter Calls for Bealtaine Circle

The priest casts the circle for beltaine.  The Priestess and priest together take up the coven sword and call the quarters in unison, symbolic of the fertility theme of Bealtaine.

Priest and Priestess

East ~ We call forth the element of fire, the source of energy and potential found in the breath of the blazing dragon, the power of light.

South ~ we call forth the element of air, the energies of beginnings and changes found in the ebony wings of the great raven, the power of life.

West ~ We call forth the element of water, the means to nourish, strengthen and purify found in the heart of the wise salmon, the power of love.

North ~ We call forth the element of earth, the form and definition of energies manifested in the horns of the mighty stag, the power of law.

Releasing of Quarters for Bealtaine Circle

United by the circle of spirit, the power of truth, we thank the elements of creation for their presence and protection, and ask that they bear witness to these rites.

By the powers of north (West, South, East) We release thee unto your native land.  Go in friendship and in peace, as ye did come, harming none on thy way.  Until your return when next we do call, we say hail and farewell.

(These quarter calls are based upon the Celtic fourfold cross or wheel of life; the powers of the creation of the world.)

Recipes

Dana Oil

1 dram almond oil
1 dram dragon's blood
1/2 dram rose oil
clear quartz crystal
a few dried rose petals

Warm all ingredients in an enamel saucepan on very low heat.  Let cool and place in a magic bowl or bottle to store.

Rhiannon Oil

1 dram dragon's blood oil
1 dram rue oil
1 pinch paprika
rose quartz