As we move into this fifth month of the year, and as we approach the coming heat of Summer, you are invited to start your mid-year evaluation. Are your plants coming in and growing healthy and green? Have your spiritual and emotional practices been providing positive nutrition for your soul? Beltane is upon us. Dance around the fire. Offer yourself up to the spirits in celebration of new energies and new life.
Here are some insights from Sóbhrag
Beltane is a Celtic festival celebrated between May 1st and May 4th, marking the beginning of summer with rituals to promote fertility, fire, and the blossoming of nature. It is recognized by many Pagan spiritual paths and widely observed in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Mann. Beltane is the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice and sits on the opposite side of the “Wheel of the Year” from Samhain. And like Samhain, it is a time when the veil is thinning between the physical and spiritual worlds.
In addition to celebrating fertility and protecting livestock and loved ones, Beltane is also a time when we celebrate those who have passed on. It is a beautiful time to remember and reach out to loved ones on the other side.
I lost my only son just after Christmas last year. I am still feeling this loss very acutely, as are his sisters, his wife, and his son. I am looking forward to Beltane this year, specifically, as this thin veil allows me to reach out to him and celebrate his life. I encourage you all to explore your connection with those loved ones who have gone before. Remember the good times and celebrate the impact that they had on your life. Be grateful and cherish those precious memories.
Fire also plays a crucial role in Beltane ceremonies, symbolizing purification and protection as participants, many times, leap over flames to ensure health and fertility for the coming year. The bonfires also represent the sun’s power, encouraging the growth and vitality of crops and livestock. If a bonfire is out of reach, a candle can stand as a substitute. If you can celebrate Beltane with a fire, please take advantage of this experience and let the flames, smoke, and ash cleanse, protect, and promote growth for your home and loved ones. Use this flame, as well, to connect your thoughts and prayers to those who have crossed over: to commune, recollect, and release.
However you celebrate this time of year, I wish you protection, gratitude, love, and a start to the Summer season.
The Shamanic Journey
Meditative journey work (also known as Shamanic journey work) can be a tool with which one can offer viable and meaningful help. This practice provides a pathway to connect with spiritual helpers and access wisdom beyond the physical world. Through these journeys, we can receive guidance, healing, and clarity to hold space for others during times of crisis. This practice empowers us to embody the compassionate witness, offering support and nurturing connection on both seen and unseen levels.
— Shamanic Community of Austin Leadership Team