Tonight is Beltane, and tomorrow is May Day.  Two good discussions of this time are by Circle Sanctuary and Witchvox.  Beltane and tomorrow is May Day.  Beltane and May Day comprise one of our two most important Sabbats, the other being Samhain, which is six months away.  For Wiccans and most other NeoPagans, Beltane marks the beginning of summer.  We believe every necessary aspect of physical existence is sacred in its own way, each honored at that time of the year when it can be most powerfully symbolized in ritual and celebration.  And this time is when we honor the powers of life’s vitality, beauty, and fertility.

Beltane (along with Samhain), is the time when, myth has it, the veils between the worlds are at their thinnest.  Covens will often meet tonight to honor this proximity and do rituals in keeping with the time. When conditions and ordinances allow and enough people can gather to celebrate the night there will be bonfires.  Jumping through or passing between the flames, particularly with a lover, burning away the accretions of the winter and warming the juices of the summer is a good thing to do – but jump rapidly.    

Samhain is very inward looking, for death is that universal experience we all must do by ourselves. Beltane and May Day are the opposite.  They are exuberant and outwards looking, and best participated in with others.  

Public Revels
This Sabbat is when we Pagans put on our most public face.  Increasingly, many parts of our country are having open celebrations to which all are welcome if they come with a good heart.  I have already mentioned the Morris Dancers in an previous post – hopefully early enough that my readers can arrange to attend if there is a celebration near you.  Weatherunderground says it might rain where I’ll go.  We need the rain. I’ll be there anyway.

Over the weekend there will be many other celebrations.  Public parks will feature May Pole dances, and sometimes integrate them into more complete ritual celebrations.  We are particularly blessed in that regard here in California’s Bay Area.  Witchvox has a site where you can see what is happening where you live.  Find it on the left hand side of their home page, under ‘Your Town.’  Or check the bulletin board at your local metaphysical or other appropriate book store or maybe organic food store.

Fertility and Fun
If in most places the Equinox focused on the return of plant life from winter’s dormancy, this time celebrates animal life, human and other than human.  It is certainly a good night for lovemaking under the stars if weather and opportunity permit.  That also makes it easy to celebrate the rising of the sun on May morn.

Today human biological fertility taken as a whole is more problem than blessing, and so this is a good time to celebrate fertility in all its forms: artistic and intellectual as well as biological. Magical workings in harmony with Beltane’s meaning are considered especially powerful if done now.  Beltane and May Day are good times to use magic to assist in getting pregnant, whether with a child, or with creativity and insight on some problem or challenge.

Solitary Pursuits
While this is a celebratory time best done in the company of friends and loved ones, I know some of us are solitaries, and there is no public gathering close to where we live. What else might we do?

1. On my altar I will have 4 candles.  I will light three, and with sundown, light another.  I have tried to figure out a simple but visually beautiful way of symbolizing Sabbats and their meaning, and here is my scheme into which this simple observance fits.
 

    Yule – 1 candle lit during ritual.  
    Imbolc – 1 candle lit, a second during the ritual.
    Ostara – 2 candles lit, a third lit at end of ritual or at sunset.
    Beltane – 3 candles, one lit during ritual, making 4.
    Midsummer – 4 candles, one extinguished at end of ritual.
    Lammas – 3 candles, one extinguished during ritual.
    Mabon – 2 candles, one extinguished at sunset or end of ritual.
    Samhain – 1 candle lit, but extinguished during ritual.

2. May Day is known for flowers, especially for their sexual symbolism. This time is the most symbolically fitting time to have bequests in your home and especially on your altar.  Mine will certainly be.

3. Take advantage of the proximity of the veils.  If you have statues or other objects that symbolize protective energies or spirits to you, light a votive for each.  Maybe add a small bouquet or clear glass of water.  If you began cultivating the spirits of your place over Ostara, today is a good time to renew your efforts if they have flagged.  

4. If the opportunity allows, make love.  As sensuously and lovingly as possible.  Really try and connect with the pure physicality of sex, its energy of connection and ecstasy.  Anything you can do to help focus on this, and on its sacredness, is particularly fitting tonight.  Love has many dimensions, and tonight strive to really connect with this one if you can.