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 .
They are mirror images, two halves of the same ever-turning Wheel of the Year.
Those in the Northern hemisphere are drawing from Beltaine, the start of the ancient Celtic summer, creative impetus, germinating stars of future growth and the implementing of dreams, culminating in fertility in the way most desired and needed. With Beltane pulsating beneath your feet, light two red candles and make them sparkle with salt; sending blessings and healing to future generations and our own in these troubled times.
At the same time, it is Samhain in the Southern hemisphere, the beginning of the old winter and it is believed by many the Celtic New Year. Into the flames of purple Samhain candles drop grains of sage; to break free of the voices and old quarrels of the past that hold us back from peace in the future, leaving behind the troubles and wars whose roots may go back generations.
Whether Samhain or Beltaine in the calendar we can personally create from what has been lost and gained in the previous six months and let go of 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 seasons’ 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 Beltaine 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. We 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 peace and understanding between nations, communities, religions and families.
Even as we dance and cast ribbons and flowers towards the vibrant flower maiden of May, the old woman of winter is casting down her holly staff at Beltaine and slumbering to regain her strength until the next Samhain, beneath her rock tomb and womb.
She is one and the same as the laughing, dancing feted May Queen, transforming pain to joy, hatred into love, destruction into rebuilding.
That old hag of winter, Cailleach, is just one of the names of the fierce but loving grandmother who broke the winter ice that the moorland animals might drink. She hears the May-time music from beneath her dark sheltering rock and knows we must rejoice; but at the same time not forget what the past 12 months have taught us about the need for compassion, kindness and sharing.
For human kindness grows fragrant but fragile as the summer flowers as nature springs anew.
As we reach this point in the wheel six months henceforward as Beltaine becomes Samhain and Samhain Beltaine in your own part of the world, may you know health, happiness, laughter, kindness, wisdom and above all peace and regrowth stronger than before in the ever-turning circle of the world.