MSN Home  |  My MSN  |  Hotmail
Sign in to Windows Live ID Web Search:   
go to MSNGroups 
Free Forum Hosting
 
Important Announcement Important Announcement
The MSN Groups service will close in February 2009. You can move your group to Multiply, MSN’s partner for online groups. Learn More
Temple of the MoonContains "mature" content, but not necessarily adult.[email protected] 
  
What's New
  
    
  Welcome  
  Kindred Sites  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Our Temple  
  General  
  Messages  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Wiccan Moon Temple - Chat  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Atlantis Chat  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Moon Energies  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Wiccan Rede  
  Wiccan Crafts  
  Wicca  
  Circle  
  Spells  
  Goddess & Gods  
  Faeries  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Healing Circle  
  Meditations  
  Chakra Chart  
  Runes  
  Elements  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Herbs  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Samhain  
  Yule  
  Imbolc  
  Ostara  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Beltane  
  Litha ( Midsummer )  
  Lughnasadh  
  Mabon  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Recipes  
  **Copyrights**  
  Pictures  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Ceremony Scripts  
  -:¦:- -:¦:- -:¦:-  
  Beltane Circle...  
  Samhain Circle  
  Opening and closing  
  4 Corners  
  Goddess - New Moon  
  Goddess - Full Moon  
  Archives  
  
  
  Tools  
 

 


Beltane

May 1st
Also known as Roodmas or May Day

Beltane has long been celebrated with feasts and rituals. Beltane means fire of Bel; Belinos being one name for the Sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate. As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood prevails. In old Celtic traditions it was a time of unabashed sexuality and promiscuity where marriages of a year and a day could be undertaken but it is rarely observed in that manner in modern times.

In the old Celtic times, young people would spend the entire night in the woods "A-Maying," and then dance around the phallic Maypole the next morning. Older married couples were allowed to remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one night. May morning is a magickal time for wild water (dew, flowing streams, and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for beauty, or to drink for health.

The Christian religion had only a poor substitute for the life-affirming Maypole -- namely, the death-affirming cross. Hence, in the Christian calendar, this was celebrated as 'Roodmas'. In Germany, it was the feast of Saint Walpurga, or 'Walpurgisnacht'. An alternative date around May 5 (Old Beltane), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus, is sometimes employed by Covens. (Both 'Lady Day' and 'Ostara' are names incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca.)

Think of the May pole as a focal point of the old English village rituals. Many people would rise at the first light of dawn to go outdoors and gather flowers and branches to decorate their homes. Women traditionally would braid flowers into their hair. Men and women alike would decorate their bodies.

Beltane marks the return of vitality, of passion. Ancient Pagan traditions say that Beltane marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, he desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God.

To celebrate, a wedding feast, for the God and Goddess must be prepared. Let Them guide you! Breads and cereals are popular. Try oatmeal cakes or cookies sweetened with a dab of honey. Dairy foods are again appropriate...just make a lovely wedding feast and you are sure to enjoy yourself! An early morning walk through a local park or forest could be fun for everyone. Gather up some plants or flowers to display in your home. Mom and daughter could braid their hair, and weave in a few tender blossoms.