Beltane
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Beltan, Bealtaine, Walpurgisnacht, May Day
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The second most important Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year, Beltane is an intercalary day where the
veil between the worlds is thin. Be careful with working magic during this time, the phrase 'be careful
what you wish for' is most appropriate around Beltane. Many witches have found that their wishes were
granted quite literally and have received what they asked for, rather than what they wanted.
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This is the time of the festival for Bel, God of Fire. He has been worshipped under many names, all
over the world for many years: Bel, Beli, Balar, Balor, Belenus, Baal, and Belial. Usually Beltane is
the night on which the hearth fires of old, are extinguished and new are kindled from the Bel fire.
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At this time, the Goddess puts on the robes of mother and the God descends to reign beside her. This
is when the marriage of the God and the Goddess is celebrated, when she allows him to catch her.
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Since this is the marriage of the Goddess and the God, it is a major fertility festival. A Maypole
may be constructed as a symbol of the sexual union. If you have not yet found a mate you would seek one
at the Beltane rights, wearing green to announce their intentions. It is also considered unlucky to bring
a flower of the May tree into the house, that is why the puritans abolished the holiday, in an attempt
to stop the celebration.
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This is the most common time for witches to Handfst, get married. Both partners approach th ceremony
as equals, the Bride is not given away, they write their own vows, and make their promises to each other,
not through a comentator. Vows need not last for eternity, they may last for a year and a day, a life
time, and for all times. Both parties must agree on how long the Handfasting would last.
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The Great Rite is the center of the Beltane celebration, this is the ritual form of the union between
the Goddess and the God. The Goddess is represented by the Chalice, or cup full of wine, and the God
is represented by the Athame, a witches ceremonial knife.The Athame lowered into the Chalice is a symbol
of the union of the Goddess and the God.
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