May Day - Beltane

"I'm one with the Goddess
and open to Her Wisdom."

29th Day of the 4th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Hecate
Lunar Tree Cycle of Fearn/Alder
17th Day of the Celtic Tree
Month of Saille/Willow
29th Day of the Cycle of Annwyn-
Days of Avalon
Moon Phase: Balsamic
Moon rises: 5:08AM EDST
Moon sets: 7:04PM EDST
Moon in the Cardinal Fire
Sign of Aries
Ceridwen's Cycle of the Moon
Lunar Meditation: The times when
things seemed hopeless but came right.
Sun in Taurus
Sunrise: 6:20AM EDST
Sunset: 8:14PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "What
creative possibilities are surfacing
at this time?"
 Beltane (Calan Mai) Quarter
of the Year
May 1st, 2011

Beltane:  The summer quarter of Beltane brings the gift of increased confidence and is a time of growth and greater sociability as the weather grows fine and hot. It is traditionally the time for celebrating the essential eros of the year, the vitality of Summer and the joys of youth. In the human growth cycle it corresponds to the period of young adulthood when the blood is hot, when ideas are sometimes impetuous and ambitions pursued with vigor and ardor. Beltane is a good time to celebrate the lives of all heroes and heroines, all protectors of the land, all who were involved in innovative and resourceful means of help, all holy ones whose great love complements their spiritual practice with human grace.
[From Caitlin Matthews' Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers & Blessings ]

Activities for the Summer Months:

Practice your physical skills such as sport/exercise/ dance, etc., drawing upon the vigor of the season.

Regularly assess your motivations and your use of the gift of life.

Remember spiritual kindred - those whose spiritual focus you share.

In this busy season, make time for proper soul-nurture.

Be aware of the heroes and heroines who have made the spiritual pathways come alive for you.

Plant and plan your garden to provide a treasury of color in late Summer and Autumn.

Walk and meditate  outdoors for at least half an hour daily.

Identify flowers and animals in your locality and learn about their life and habitat.

Create a spontaneous dance that physically expresses your kinship with the universe.

Be active with like-minded others, in providing support for environmental concerns both at local
and global levels.

As you travel through the country of Summer, relate your spiritual journey to the bright gifts of this season. 
[From Caitlin Matthews' Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers & Blessings ]


Beltane:  The festival of Beltane marks the onset of summer; the Hawthorn is in blossom, as are many other plants; wild animals and birds are busy raising their young. All around us can see the life of the land. This is the time to welcome the Mother Goddess in all her bounty, and the God her Consort as they come to bring fertility to the land and the crops.
     Take a little wine or fruit juice, honey and fruit out into the woods. Find a well-grown, mature tree and make your offering under its branches. Then sit down, resting your back on the tree, and take several deep breaths to center yourself. Look slowly and carefully all around you and observe all the signs of the season. Now close your eyes and visualize the Mother Goddess walking towards you. As you watch her approaching you become aware that walking towards you from another direction is the God, a young man in the prime of his life. Watch as they greet each other and then turn to smile at you. If you have a question for them you may ask it now. Wait until they say farewell and walk away together. Once they have gone, you can open your eyes. Once again look all around you and take in all the sights, sounds and scents of the season. Look carefully to see if there is anything special which catches your eye; a piece of wood, stone or whatever. If there is, you may take it with you as a reminder of the festival.
[From Kate West's The Real Witches' Year ]