picture taken by K. Gibbs

Beltane, or May Day, is celebrated about halfway between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. This is one of those times during the year when energies, especially earth energies, are at its strongest. Which makes it an ideal place to rededicate all those goals you made during the new year or spring.  In addition, I personally like to rededicate portions of my altar and make a concentrated effort to get more in tune with the natural world around me. As I live in a small apartment, this usually means heading outside during the rain or shine… smell the scents and reground myself in certain ways. I also find it an ideal time to start adding natural items to my altar; flowers, leaves, pinecones etc.

Beltane has many associations between various pantheons and natural elements. I will not get into the gods, simply because your pantheon is your business. However, the following are all things you can utilize and bring into your home to access the energies of the holiday.

          Plants and Herbs:  mint, daisy, bluebells, lilac, rose, tulips, rosemary

Food: green leafy vegetables, strawberries (and other red fruits), nuts, cherries, dairy, honey, oats, red/pink wines

As much as I’d love to dance around a decorative May Pole or a roaring bonfire…. I neither have the room nor the location for such a feat. Plus, I’m 90% positive dancing around a bonfire in a public park would attract cop attention. However, if you have the option, go for it!

If, like me, you live in an apartment… in the middle of a city… try these options to bring some of the Beltane energies into your home and your life.

Get Outside: Take a walk, a jog, a skip, a jump in a public park or hiking trail. Lose yourself in the middle of the woods. Go kayaking, spend the day at the beach.  Find somewhere quiet you can sit and contemplate the mountains. Gather wildflowers and herbs. Create a floral crown. Garden. Whatever works for you really. My suggestion is to find a moment, even a small one, to reconnect with the energies and listen to nature.

May Pole: If you can’t do a large May Pole, create a small one for your apartment or home.  Plant a small pole in a planter outside, or add ribbons with blessings to your trees, bushes or indoor plants you already tend to. The point is to celebrate, envision positive affirmations, and connect to the energies.

Light a Candle: Who says that a simple candle can’t create the same feeling as a bonfire?

Smudge:  Add herbs or incense to your smudge stick, or create some of your own. There are dozens of DIY tutorials between places like Pinterest and Youtube, if you are hesitant on how to start.  Beltane is a great time to smudge all the rooms/areas in your home.

Bath Ritual: Add herbs and flowers to your bath or shower rituals.  Don’t think showers can be a ritual? Think about all the times you’ve used them to recharge and relax.  Baths/Showers are a wonderful place to do a little self-focus. This isn’t about addressing the energies for your life as a whole, but recharging your personal energies.  Rose and lilac oils, mint, oats and honey are wonderful ways to rejuvenate your skin and your mental energy.

Recharge your Altar: I do not do this every year. But, I recently moved into a new place and felt the need to rededicate and recharge my altar. 

There are many ways you can do this, nearly everyone has an opinion when it comes to recharging an altar. Personally, I use this method.

Put items from your altar – rocks, shells, crystals etc. into a pot of soil or fresh dirt. As you are burying the objects, envision positive images and the flow of energies into them.  Leave the pot of soil out for one day and one night. A cloudless night works best as the objects will be bathed in moonlight as well as sunlight.

Next, you take your objects out of the soil. Light a ritual candle. You can make this a full ritual or a partial ritual, depending on personal preference. Pass the objects over the flame, again focusing on the energies you want to bring into your altar.

Following fire, you wash your items in water – purified is best.  And finally, allow your objects to air dry for another half-day to full day (in sunlight or near a window is best).  Positive energy and thoughts are important, as the energies you are bringing to the objects will affect your future rituals.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Beltane, here’s wishing you and yours a blessed holiday!