How to Celebrate Beltane as a Witch
Beltane is a wonderful Sabbat (witchy holiday) also known as May Day, is celebrated on the first day of May in the Celtic tradition. May Day is celebrated all over the world and is known for its display of beautiful flowers. It is a fun spring-time holiday and a time of joy and celebration as the sun reaches its zenith (its peak) and nature bursts with new growth and fertility. Beltane is right in the middle of spring and summer, so it's a great time to build and grow, especially with your personal practice. This festival is all about life, love, and the union of the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine.
If you’re looking to celebrate Beltane, or even just honor the day here’s a Witchy guide to get you started. Personally, I like to refer to this holiday as May Day, because to me, it feels more modern and right to me. In this article, I will be referring to this holiday as Beltane as it's more historically accurate, both are right!!
5 Ways to Celebrate Beltane as a Witch
1. Perform a Beltane Ritual
Beltane or any sabbat or equinox is a powerful time for magick....thus making it a perfect time for a ritual or at-home working. You can create your own ritual or use one Beltane rituals often involve fire, so lighting candles or a bonfire is a great way to mark the occasion. If you have access to a bonfire, this is a great time to gather with friends and tell stories and dance to your favorite music (the cupid shuffle has become a favorite in our Coven if you need a great Spotify playlist just ask in the comments).
2. Decorate Your Altar
Setting up a Beltane altar is a great way to get into the spirit of this festive season. Decorate your altar with fresh flowers, herbs and greenery to represent the fertility and growth of spring. Add a a red, orange or yellow candle candle to represent the sun, or perhaps a pretty lilac or blue candle to represent the springtime flowers, or throw some dried roses on your altar, and some lavender smudge sticks, or just a chalice full of wine, or a dish filled with some honey as an offering. You can also incorporate something to honor the Divine Masculine and Divine feminine, such as symbols or an athame for example. Do what feels right to you! I will probably just put a yin yang symbol to represent divinity, or maybe just look up some cool photos of divine union on Google.
3. Make a Maypole
One of the most popular activities at Beltane is dancing the Maypole. The Maypole symbolizes (you guessed it) the union of the God and Goddess, and is traditionally decorated with flowers, ribbons and bells. You can purchase a small Maypole, or make your own using a tall stick and some decorative materials, or you can get really crafty and make a giant one. Get your friends and family involved, and dance around the Maypole to celebrate the joy and abundance of life, have fun with it!!! The kiddos love it and
any excuse to dance and be silly is fun.
Witchy Beltane Story Time:
Last year, the Witches Cottage Coven created a fundraiser to support the Myramid Cultural center in Oceanside, CA. We created this super awesome Maypole and danced around to the beat of the drums at sunset. It was a wonderful event an everyone had a great time.
4. Create a Beltane Feast
Beltane is a time of abundance and fertility, so why not celebrate with a feast? Yes, not just a dinner, but a FEAST. It's a time to indulge and celebrate so why not? You can prepare a meal using seasonal ingredients like asparagus, strawberries and rhubarb to get your tastebuds in the moon. If you're feeling really legit, definitely incorporate traditional Beltane foods such as oatcakes, honey and wine. Share your feast with friends and family, and give thanks to Spirit for their blessings as any holiday is a time for sharing abundance, no matter where you are in life.
5. Connect with Nature
Finally, Beltane is a time to celebrate the beauty and abundance of nature, so be a good Witch and just take in the beauty of the season. Spend some time outside, whether that means going for a hike or simply sitting in the park or on a nature preserve. Take in the sights and sounds of new growth and greenery, and connect with the natural world through meditation or a simple walk in the woods. I like to lay out a blanket and just soak up the sun for a bit, and allow myself to be present and take in the sounds and feelings of being in nature.
Beltane is a time of celebration and abundance, and there are so many ways to honor this important festival. Whether you choose to perform a ritual, decorate your altar, make a Maypole, prepare a feast, or simply connect with nature, there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit of Beltane. So grab your friends and family, gather some flowers and greenery, and celebrate this radiant season of growth and renewal.
What do you like to do for Beltane? Let me know!
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