and open to Her Wisdom."
17th Day of the 5th Lunar Cycle
Ruled by Gaia
Lunar Tree Cycle ~ Saille/Willow
16th Day of the Celtic Tree Month ~ Saille/Willow
Moon Phase: waning Gibbous
Moon sets: 7:22AM EDST
Moon rises: 11:09PM EDST
Moon in the Mutable Fire Sign of
Sagittarius
Rhiannon's Cycle of the Moon ]
Lunar Meditation: The release of
forgiveness
Sun in Taurus
Sunrise: 6:19AM EDST
Sunset: 8:15PM EDST
Solar Question for the Day: "Are you
allowing spontaneity into your life?"
Imbolc (Gwyl Mair) Quarter of the Year
April 30th, 2010
BELTAINE EVE - Here it is - the season of Summer begins tomorrow - the flowers of the Hawthorn tree are in bloom; the mantle of spring's culmination and summer's advent is beautifying the Earth. Winter's chains are broken for good as the Wheel of the Year turns from winter to summer. Love is in the air as bees carry pollen from blossom to aromatic blossom and honey begins dripping from the comb. Sacred unions are observed and sexuality is celebrated as we regard our bodies as mirrors of the divine plan.
The blazing flames from the bonfires mirror the passion within our hearts. The tenderness of the new spring season transforms before our eyes into the lush fullness of new life taking hold and thriving.
The Great Fires are ignited, and the door to the Otherworld opens once again. Beltaine is the major fertility festival in the Wheel of the Year, and there are many tradition associated with this.
The Goddess now changes her robes of Maiden for those of the Mother and the God stands by her side as partner and Consort. We celebrate the marriage of the Goddess and the God for the fertility of all. Many Witches also celebrate their own weddings, called Handfastings, at Beltaine. The change of the Goddess from Maiden to Mother is echoed in many places by the selection of a May Queen. Beltaine is also the festival of the solar God Bel and in times past the people would drive cattle between two fires to purify and protect them, and to induce fertility for the coming season. The people would jump the fires for fertility in their own lives.
Just one of the ways of celebrating Beltaine is to organize a Fire Ritual. Take two fireproof bowls or vessels with nightlights inside and place them close enough to make it interesting but far enough apart to be safe. Loose or flowing clothes should be hitched up well out of the way. Organize a dance which takes each person around each 'fire' in turn. As they circle the first fire they should say something positive about themselves, and as they circle the second they should say something about the season or the festival. Once everyone has circled both 'fires' several times they should then jump through the gap between them, making a wish for the coming season. If the fire remains lit their wish will come true, but should their jump extinguish the flames it will not.
[Excerpts from: "The Real Witches Year" by Kate West & "The Wiccan Year" by Judy Ann Nock]
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