Today is Beltane.
In Celtic traditions, we used to celebrate 8 festivals during the year: the 2 equinoxes, the 2 solstices and the 4 times in between.
- Samhain (Oct 31st) – This marks the Celtic New Year and is considered the most important festival. It’s a time to honour the dead and the start of the dark half of the year.
- Winter Solstice (Around Dec 21st) – Celebrates the rebirth of the Sun as the days begin growing longer again after the longest night.
- Imbolc (Feb 1st) – An early spring festival associated with the first signs of spring and lactating ewes. Celebrates the returning fertility of the earth.
- Spring Equinox (Around Mar 21st) – Marking the beginning of the fertile spring season when day and night are equal lengths.
- Beltane (May 1st) – A celebration of the full bloom of spring and the fertility of the earth. Traditions include bonfires and May pole dances.
- Summer Solstice (Around June 21st) – Celebrating the longest day of the year and the power of the life-giving sun.
- Lughnasadh (Aug 1st) – The first of the three autumn harvest festivals, marking the beginning of the harvest season.
- Autumn Equinox (Around Sept 21st) – The second harvest festival, signalling the start of autumn when day and night are again equal.
These eight festivals formed the basis of the ancient Celtic calendar system and marked the key points in the agricultural year.
Beltane marks the middle of Spring, and the beginning of summer energy. It stands opposite to Samhain. Celebrated around May 1st (when the Hawthorn blossoms), it honours the return of life and fertility to the world as the Earth awakens with warmth and light after the winter months. Beltane festivities traditionally involve lighting bonfires, dancing around a Maypole, Music (and drumming), choosing a May Queen and May King for the year, and feasting in joyous celebration of spring’s renewal. It signifies the transition into the season of new growth, recognizing the cyclical rhythms of the natural world. Beltane carries a spirit of merriment, passion, and connection to the bountiful Earth.
Beltane fires burning bright
Spring returns with warmth and light
Hawthorn flowers in full bloom
Dancers spin to drummers’ tune.
Over the last year I have carried the energy of Beltane and embodied the divine feminine as I was crowned May Queen at Beltane in 2023. Over the last year I have co-crafted each and everyone of the wheel of the year for my community and held the ceremonies. This has given me a deep attunement to the changing energies of the seasons, a moment to pause and appreciate this, and to serve my community. This means that, for the first time in my 53 years on this earth, I have not dreaded winter, but welcomed its going-within wisdom.
Last weekend we celebrated Beltane again and I laid down my crown, in a very powerful and profound ritual death and rebirth ceremony, where I received guidance from the earth about how to bring more peace to my heart.
On this day of Beltane, I feel called to offer a guided drum journey to meet the spirit of Beltane, one where we can ask questions and gain wisdom about the energies of this time of the year.
Through the pulse of the drum, we reconnect with ancestral wisdom celebrating Beltane – the transformation of spring’s rebirth. This festival reminds us of the eternal cycle – life emerging from winter’s sleep, embodying nature’s regenerative power, and cycles of death and rebirth.
Join this drum journey honouring Beltane. Let the rhythms awaken our inner wildness, clearing stagnation as spring energy rises. Harness Beltane’s fertile energy to manifest visions, and birth the blossoming goddess within.
Just set aside 15 min where you can relax sitting or lying down, and enjoy.
If you take this journey I would love to hear what you think. Just comment below.