The Path to Beltane

"This is the time when sweet desire weds wild delight. The Maiden of Spring and the Lord of the Waxing Year meet in the greening fields and rejoice together under the warm sun. The shaft of life is twined in a spiral web and all of nature is renewed. We meet in the time of flowering, to dance the dance of life." Starhawk

Images from Beltane past and prepartion for this Years Summer Rose. All pics by Sanctum of the Rose.

As the Southern Hemisphere Wheel turns we flow now towards the Sabbat of Beltane traditionally on 31st October in the Southern Hemisphere and and the energies of High Spring awakening into Summer, it's time now to embrace the budding and opening of the fertile blooms and the unfurling vines as the goddess and god unite and impregnate the world with ripeness.

EXACT 2025: I have seen Beltane Exact 2025 posted as several different times already this week and so I have just consulted my friend who is a master astrologer:

7TH NOVEMBER 2:04.32PM AEST (QLD) AND 3:04.32 AEDT (NSW)

Beltane, also spelt Beltaine, Bealtaine, is derived from Sun God Belenos, god of light, fire and healing and means" Fire of the God Bel". Beltane also marks the midway point between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice and is a sacred fire festival. In ancient times fires were lit upon the hill tops to encourage the warmth of the Suns potent return), it was also used to purify livestock who where driven through the smoke. The ancients worked closely with the land and the seasons to create a bountiful harvest that would ensure their survival during the darker colder months. Fire is also symbolic of life force energy, passion and creativity, all important themes for this potent celebratory time of the year.

Beltane is a time of revelry, of joyful celebration, of sensuality and union, to many like Samhain it is also another point in the year where the veil is thinner and spirits, elementals and ancestors are more accessible, to those of us who work with the liminal, the veil is always thin.

Regardless of your associations it is an invitation to honour your connection to the Earth, the Seasons, the Elements and to realign yourself to the burgeoning energies of potential, potency and abundance. We could all do with more positive abundance and loving joy in our lives.

Beltane Activities:

Fire as mentioned is a big part of celebrations, however here where I dwell we are on a total fire ban due to the early heat and dry wind and so for us here the safest option is floating candles in bowls of water or using symbolic imagery.

Floral Crafts: flowers are a hug part of Beltane celebrations in any form that you can conceive, so let your creativity flow. Always popular are flower crowns, wreaths, hoops, garlands, wands, petals, floral waters, drinks, edible decorations and botanical incense.

Some of the Flower Crowns I have made over the years using fresh botanicals, silk and a mixture of both. Have you made a flower crown before, comment and tell me about it.

Symbols become fertility rites and crafting tools for abundance: The May Pole is the most obvious which probably originated in Germany and before it became a deeply ingrained rite in the British Isles. Symbols of the Goddess and The Green Man also in Stag form, Fire and Flowers as mentioned, Spirals and Hoops and Cauldrons also all have fertility associations, Ribbons and Weaving. Use your imagination and don't be afraid to invent your own traditions that are relevant to where you dwell.

Here is a link to some May Pole History that may be of interest:

britishhistories.com

185. The Maypole

Amongst the wealth of May and Mayday traditions the Maypole and maypole dance are widely recognised customs throughout Europe and beyond, still observable today in many places and very much enjoyed by both those who part...

Some General Correspondences:

Deities: generally The Goddess and The Green Man/The Horned God. Bel, Cernunnos, Sheela-na-Gig, Dagda, Rhiannon. Hathor, Bes, Min. Apollo, Fora, Demeter, Pan, Dionysus, Aphrodite, Venus, Eros, Ishtar.

Colours: Green, Pink, Red, Yellow and Orange.

Botanicals and Scents: Rose, Jasmine, Bergamot, Honeysuckle, Musk, Patchouli, Cinnamon, Clove, Dandelion, Clover, Mint, Mugwort, Thyme, Frangipanni, Grevillea, Jacaranda, Hydrangea, Daisy, Lilac, Hibiscus.

Stones: Rose Quartz, Garnet, Amber, Malachite, Carnelian, Emerald, Moss Agate, Aventurine, Bloodstone, Fire Agate, Flower Agate, Lepidolite.

Activities: Weaving, Song, Dance, Floral Crafts, Balefire, Candle Magick, Cauldron Magick, Fertility and Abundance spells, rites and ceremony, Sensual Pleasure, Sexual Union.

Here is one of my Floral Incense Blends, my philosophy is use what you have and whats in season:

Homegrown dried Lavender and Rose Petals, Cinnamon Powder dried Patchouli and Sandalwood and Rose Geranium Oils.

Lavender: Air/Mercury. Purification, Protection, Love, Grace & Clarity.

Rose: Water/Venus. Love, Passion, Healing & Hidden Mysteries.

Cinnamon: Fire/Sun. Love, Prosperity, Success & Stimulation.

Patchouli: Earth/Saturn. Passion, Courage, Prosperity & Abundance.

Sandalwood: Water/Moon. Divinity, Meditation & Consecration.

Here are some other Beltane Incense Recipes:

I'd love to hear what you are doing for Beltane this year, I will be co-hosting our Summer Rose Celebration with my dear friend and magickal sister Tay from The Old Bone Mother in the lovely Darling Downs region near Toowoomba this year as we gather folk together for two days of creativity and celebration - 1st & 2nd November.

During Day: 1 Tay will guide us through creation of our own Rose Ritual Rattles including a journey of connection and history sharing as well as communion with our masculine and feminine and the celebration of union. Our beautiful rattles will then be used during our Day 2 together.

www.oldbonemotherapothecary.com.au

Summer Rose Rattle Birthing Workshop | The Old Bone Mother

Birth your Own Devotional Rose Rattle in communion with the energies of the Summer Rose and the Divine Masculine & Feminine energies of Beltane Weekend!

Day 2: I will be guiding us through celebratory activities designed to foster deep connection to union and fertility, we will be singing, weaving, dancing, creating floral crafts and of course using our rattles. Info and Tickets:

https://events.humanitix.com/summer-rose-immersion-beltane-weekend

However you choose to celebrate this beautiful time of the year, enjoy the journey into the loving embrace of Beltane.

Blessings,

Jenni-Rose

Sanctum of the Rose