Happy Beltane or Beltaine in the Northern hemisphere and Samhain or Summer’s End in the Southern world, often celebrated between April 30 sunset and May 2 sunset, mirror images and two halves of the same whole,
At Samhain in the Southern hemisphere, the beginning of the old winter and it is believed by many the Celtic New Year, by soft candlelight into the flames of purple candles we drop grains of sage; in doing so, we break with echoes from the past that hold us back from the future. Those in the Northern hemisphere are at the same moment drawing from Beltane, the start of the ancient Celtic summer, creative impetus, germinating stars of future growth and dreams.
With Beltane pulsating beneath our feet, we can risk all for happiness and fulfillment, leap over twin fires or light two red candles and make them sparkle with salt to welcome future generations to whom we will pass on our own acquired wisdom; and hope they learn from our mistakes; we can at the same time connect with the still burning Samhain fireside of the ancestors who assure us we carry within us their hopes and their wisdom to our children’s, children’s, children, whether our own offspring or those we influence.
We can create from what has been lost in the previous six months and let go what stands in the way of claiming or reclaiming our power. As we look up at the fires of the ancestors in the stars we know that those who follow us hundreds of years hence will still wish upon the stars and rejoice at the season’s turning.
Samhain’s Jack o’ lantern, whom the loveliest of the Celtic Morrigan Fate sisters three times in his lifetime asked him to go with her across the river of death to immortality, was too afraid; now he walks between worlds with his small light, recalled as the Samhain pumpkin. But instantaneously on the other side of the world he is reborn as the wild Beltane Jack ‘o’ Green, who seizes life, free as the burgeoning woodland greenery and crowns the maiden goddess with wildflowers. Both Jacks are one, both are within us and the choice is not always easy. For we must make decisions based on the resources and the knowledge we have at the time and so we should never regret the past but use it to weave the glorious garland of the future.
- To integrate Beltane and Samhain, wherever you live, take two apples, eat one and say, I absorb Beltane the fertility of the Beltane fire that I may achieve what I most desire. Scatter pips and the core on newly dug soil, trusting they will be absorbed and germinate in the fullness of time,.
- Bury the second apple whole in the earth next to where you cast the pips saying: I bury the old to rest, restore and be reborn next Beltane morn.
- Even if your planting does not take root, you have symbolically set in motion long term rebirth in your life, whichever festival is being celebrated in your location.
As the young maiden is crowned with flowers at Beltane, the old crone of winter slumbers beneath a rock, with her holly staff, knowing but six months ahead she will wake to guide us through the winter long after the flowers have faded. At Beltane this year I am crossing the world in pursuit of new directions, new avenues, seeking the maiden’s enthusiasm to give new life and inspiration to my Samhain years.