Beltane Lore and Rite
Pronounciation: BEL-tayn
Date: May 1st (although some observe April 30th instead)
Other Names: May Day, May Eve, Beltaine
The culmination of the year's fertility and beginning of Summer. The God and Goddess, as the King and Queen of the May, are joined and finally consummate Their love. This is a time of rejoicing, and celebrants dance around the Maypole, which itself represents not only the physical act of love but the Divine Union as well. The name of this Sabbat refers to the "Bel fires," great fires that were built and leapt over in the hopes of fertility, which is not limited to bodies but extends to ideas and endeavors as well.
BELTANE RITUAL
If this is a Group rite, needed are a mini-Maypole on altar, leaf and flower crowns, makings of belfire in cauldron, ribbons.
If this is a Solitary rite, omit the ribbons.
Set the altar and cast the Circle as usual. Ignore the "P/S" speaking distinctions and directions if this is done as a Solitary rite, and change "we/you" to "I/me" as appropriate.
PS: TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE THE UNION OF THE GOD AND GODDESS! THEIR COY FLIRTATIONS AND COURTING NOW DEEPEN AND COME TO FRUITION, AS THEY MEET IN THE ECSTATIC DANCE OF LOVE. WITH JOY DO WE ALSO DANCE, TO CONJURE SUMMER FROM SPRING, JUST AS THEIR SWEET DESIRE HAS RIPENED TO WILD DELIGHT
If this is a Group rite, the P/S face each other.
If this is a Solitary right, replace "I am" with "S/He is" as appropriate.
P: I AM THE STAG AT THE FOREST’S EDGE
PS: I THE DOE WAITING ON THE MEADOW
P: I AM THE LIFE-GIVING RAIN FROM THE HEAVENS
PS: I THE FERTILE EARTH BENEATH
P: I AM THE WIND RUSHING OVER OPEN WATER
PS: I THE MOUNTING WAVE THAT BECKONS
P: I AM THE GOLDEN BLAZE OF THE SUN
PS: I THE SILVER GLOW OF MOONLIGHT
P: I AM THE STEEL-EYED HAWK ON THE CLIFF
PS: I THE STEALTHY OWL IN THE TREES
P: I AM THE GOD WHOSE HEAT SETS PASSIONS ABLAZE
PS: I THE GODDESS WHO RECEIVES THE OFFERED FLAME
If this is a Solitary right, the following exchange between the asterisk lines may be omitted.
**************************************************************
P: MISTRESS MINE, WHERE ARE YOU ROAMING?
STAY AND HEAR YOUR TRUE LOVE’S CALLING
AND IT SINGS BOTH HIGH AND LOW
PS: TRIP NO FURTHER WITH YOUR GREETING!
JOURNEY’S END IN LOVER’S MEETING
WHICH ALL WISE FOLK SHOULD KNOW
WHAT IS LOVE? NOW AND HEREAFTER
PERFECT MIRTH BRINGS PERFECT LAUGHTER
LOVE’S TO COME, LORD, THIS IS SURE
P: IN DELAY THERE IS NO BOUNTY
SO COME AND KISS ME, SWEET AND PLENTY
FOR YOUTH’S A STATE DOES NOT ENDURE!
**************************************************************
If this is a Group rite, the P/S light belfire together and retrieve crowns, and skip down to below the asterisked portion.
If this is a Solitary rite, light the belfire, retrieve the crowns, and speak the alternative script between the asterisk lines below:
**************************************************************
YOU: WITH JOY, THE LADY COMES TO DANCE.
Place the flower crown around the Goddess candle.
YOU: WITH JOY, THE LORD COMES TO LOVE.
Place the leaf crown around the God candle.
**************************************************************
P: LADY, WILL YOU COME DANCE WITH US?
PS: WITH JOY, MY LORD
P crowns PS
PS: LORD, WILL YOU COME LOVE WITH US?
P: WITH JOY, MY LADY
If this is a Group rite, the PS crowns P, P/S kiss. Ribbons crossed over altar, male to female, P taking extra females’, PS the extra males’.
All dance, leap the belfire, and chant.
ALL: ROUND AND ROUND, THE STRANDS ENTWINE
WEAVING IN THE LOVE DIVINE
If this is a Group rite, the P will call “DOWN,” all direct energy to Maypole. P points to Maypole with wand.
If this is a Solitary rite, simply point with the wand.
P: SEE HOW THIS POLE SINKS INTO THE SOFT EARTH. IMAGINE HOW IT FILLS THE FERTILE SOIL WITH ENERGY, ABUNDANCE, AND LOVE. FEEL WITHIN YOURSELF THAT SAME ENERGY OF FERTILITY AND FULLNESS, AND KNOW IT IS THE POWER OF CREATION, THE VERY ESSENCE OF LIFE! BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Cheer as moved.
Now to Cakes and Wine.
During Cakes and Wine, read “Corinna’s Going A-Maying” by Robert Herrick out loud. After, just before closing, PS reads adjusted “Woman to Man” by Judith Wright (below) while sitting before belfire (relit if necessary), if possible with it between her legs and cradling it like a pregnant belly.
PS: THE EYELESS LABORER IN THE NIGHT
THE SELFLESS, SHAPELESS SEED I HOLD
BUILDS TOWARD ITS RESURRECTION DAY
SILENT AND SWIFT AND DEEP FROM SIGHT
FORESEES THE UNIMAGINED LIGHT
THIS IS NO CHILD WITH A CHILD’S FACE
THIS HAS NO NAME TO NAME IT BY
YET YOU AND I HAVE KNOWN IT WELL
THIS IS THE HUNTER AND THE CHASE
THE FALLEN AND THE GRACED
THIS IS THE STRENGTH THAT YOUR ARM KNOWS
THE ARC OF FLESH THAT IS MY BREAST
THE PRECISE CRYSTALS OF OUR EYES
THIS IS THE BLOOD’S WILD OAK THAT GROWS
THE INTRICATE AND FOLDED ROSE
THIS IS THE MAKER AND THE MADE
THIS IS THE QUESTION AND REPLY
THE BLINDNESS OF THE CAULDRON’S DARK
THE BLAZE OF LIGHT ALONG THE BLADE
THE PROCLAMATION MADE FOR MAY
BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Date: May 1st (although some observe April 30th instead)
Other Names: May Day, May Eve, Beltaine
The culmination of the year's fertility and beginning of Summer. The God and Goddess, as the King and Queen of the May, are joined and finally consummate Their love. This is a time of rejoicing, and celebrants dance around the Maypole, which itself represents not only the physical act of love but the Divine Union as well. The name of this Sabbat refers to the "Bel fires," great fires that were built and leapt over in the hopes of fertility, which is not limited to bodies but extends to ideas and endeavors as well.
BELTANE RITUAL
If this is a Group rite, needed are a mini-Maypole on altar, leaf and flower crowns, makings of belfire in cauldron, ribbons.
If this is a Solitary rite, omit the ribbons.
Set the altar and cast the Circle as usual. Ignore the "P/S" speaking distinctions and directions if this is done as a Solitary rite, and change "we/you" to "I/me" as appropriate.
PS: TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE THE UNION OF THE GOD AND GODDESS! THEIR COY FLIRTATIONS AND COURTING NOW DEEPEN AND COME TO FRUITION, AS THEY MEET IN THE ECSTATIC DANCE OF LOVE. WITH JOY DO WE ALSO DANCE, TO CONJURE SUMMER FROM SPRING, JUST AS THEIR SWEET DESIRE HAS RIPENED TO WILD DELIGHT
If this is a Group rite, the P/S face each other.
If this is a Solitary right, replace "I am" with "S/He is" as appropriate.
P: I AM THE STAG AT THE FOREST’S EDGE
PS: I THE DOE WAITING ON THE MEADOW
P: I AM THE LIFE-GIVING RAIN FROM THE HEAVENS
PS: I THE FERTILE EARTH BENEATH
P: I AM THE WIND RUSHING OVER OPEN WATER
PS: I THE MOUNTING WAVE THAT BECKONS
P: I AM THE GOLDEN BLAZE OF THE SUN
PS: I THE SILVER GLOW OF MOONLIGHT
P: I AM THE STEEL-EYED HAWK ON THE CLIFF
PS: I THE STEALTHY OWL IN THE TREES
P: I AM THE GOD WHOSE HEAT SETS PASSIONS ABLAZE
PS: I THE GODDESS WHO RECEIVES THE OFFERED FLAME
If this is a Solitary right, the following exchange between the asterisk lines may be omitted.
**************************************************************
P: MISTRESS MINE, WHERE ARE YOU ROAMING?
STAY AND HEAR YOUR TRUE LOVE’S CALLING
AND IT SINGS BOTH HIGH AND LOW
PS: TRIP NO FURTHER WITH YOUR GREETING!
JOURNEY’S END IN LOVER’S MEETING
WHICH ALL WISE FOLK SHOULD KNOW
WHAT IS LOVE? NOW AND HEREAFTER
PERFECT MIRTH BRINGS PERFECT LAUGHTER
LOVE’S TO COME, LORD, THIS IS SURE
P: IN DELAY THERE IS NO BOUNTY
SO COME AND KISS ME, SWEET AND PLENTY
FOR YOUTH’S A STATE DOES NOT ENDURE!
**************************************************************
If this is a Group rite, the P/S light belfire together and retrieve crowns, and skip down to below the asterisked portion.
If this is a Solitary rite, light the belfire, retrieve the crowns, and speak the alternative script between the asterisk lines below:
**************************************************************
YOU: WITH JOY, THE LADY COMES TO DANCE.
Place the flower crown around the Goddess candle.
YOU: WITH JOY, THE LORD COMES TO LOVE.
Place the leaf crown around the God candle.
**************************************************************
P: LADY, WILL YOU COME DANCE WITH US?
PS: WITH JOY, MY LORD
P crowns PS
PS: LORD, WILL YOU COME LOVE WITH US?
P: WITH JOY, MY LADY
If this is a Group rite, the PS crowns P, P/S kiss. Ribbons crossed over altar, male to female, P taking extra females’, PS the extra males’.
All dance, leap the belfire, and chant.
ALL: ROUND AND ROUND, THE STRANDS ENTWINE
WEAVING IN THE LOVE DIVINE
If this is a Group rite, the P will call “DOWN,” all direct energy to Maypole. P points to Maypole with wand.
If this is a Solitary rite, simply point with the wand.
P: SEE HOW THIS POLE SINKS INTO THE SOFT EARTH. IMAGINE HOW IT FILLS THE FERTILE SOIL WITH ENERGY, ABUNDANCE, AND LOVE. FEEL WITHIN YOURSELF THAT SAME ENERGY OF FERTILITY AND FULLNESS, AND KNOW IT IS THE POWER OF CREATION, THE VERY ESSENCE OF LIFE! BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!
Cheer as moved.
Now to Cakes and Wine.
During Cakes and Wine, read “Corinna’s Going A-Maying” by Robert Herrick out loud. After, just before closing, PS reads adjusted “Woman to Man” by Judith Wright (below) while sitting before belfire (relit if necessary), if possible with it between her legs and cradling it like a pregnant belly.
PS: THE EYELESS LABORER IN THE NIGHT
THE SELFLESS, SHAPELESS SEED I HOLD
BUILDS TOWARD ITS RESURRECTION DAY
SILENT AND SWIFT AND DEEP FROM SIGHT
FORESEES THE UNIMAGINED LIGHT
THIS IS NO CHILD WITH A CHILD’S FACE
THIS HAS NO NAME TO NAME IT BY
YET YOU AND I HAVE KNOWN IT WELL
THIS IS THE HUNTER AND THE CHASE
THE FALLEN AND THE GRACED
THIS IS THE STRENGTH THAT YOUR ARM KNOWS
THE ARC OF FLESH THAT IS MY BREAST
THE PRECISE CRYSTALS OF OUR EYES
THIS IS THE BLOOD’S WILD OAK THAT GROWS
THE INTRICATE AND FOLDED ROSE
THIS IS THE MAKER AND THE MADE
THIS IS THE QUESTION AND REPLY
THE BLINDNESS OF THE CAULDRON’S DARK
THE BLAZE OF LIGHT ALONG THE BLADE
THE PROCLAMATION MADE FOR MAY
BLESSÈD BE!
ALL: BLESSÈD BE!