Beltane ignites the Earth with a primal hum of fertility, a sacred symphony of life bursting forth. As spring unfurls its vibrant tapestry, flowers bloom in radiant hues, birds weave nests for their fledglings, animals seek mates under the warming sun, and farmers sow seeds for the abundant summer ahead. This is a time to revel in the Earth’s fertility, a season of growth, transformation, and divine union, much like the abundance Lakshmi brought us this Earth Day. Beltane, a Celtic fire festival, invites us to connect with the passionate dance of the divine co-creators—the masculine and feminine energies that seed all life. As Keeper of Mysteries, I feel this sacred day light a fire in my soul, awakening passion, creativity, and sexuality, urging us to transform into our truest selves. Let’s step into the flickering flames of Beltane together and weave magic with the divine.
The History of Beltane
Beltane traces its roots to ancient Celtic traditions, a fire festival marking the transition from winter’s chill to summer’s warmth. The name “Beltane” comes from the Celtic god Bel, meaning “Shining One,” and tene, meaning “fire,” translating to “Fire of Bel” or “Great Fire.” Its earliest recorded mention appears in the Irish medieval text Sanas Cormaic, penned by Cormac mac Cuilennáin, king-bishop of Munster, before 908 CE. For the Celts, who recognized only two seasons—summer and winter—Beltane heralded the planting season, a time to honor the Earth’s fertility and the sun’s life-giving power.
In the Northern Hemisphere, Beltane begins at moonrise on April 30 and continues through May 1, while in the Southern Hemisphere, it spans October 31 to November 1. Though Celtic in origin, Beltane echoes countless global fire and fertility festivals, from England’s May Day to Germany’s Walpurgisnacht, or “Witches’ Night.” As a cross-quarter holiday on the Wheel of the Year—a sacred calendar observed by many pagans, especially Wiccans—Beltane sits halfway between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice, joining Imbolc, Samhain, and Lughnassadh as one of the four fire festivals. These sabbats were historically celebrated with bonfires, symbolizing the sun’s journey and its vital role in the cycles of life.
The Fires of Beltane
At its core, Beltane is a fire festival, a tradition that has burned bright from ancient times into the 19th century. In Ireland, farmers would drive their cattle between two towering bonfires, a ritual believed to purify the herds, ward off disease, and ensure their safety through summer. These fires also served a practical purpose, clearing brush to make way for planting and pasture. Communities would extinguish their hearth fires, only to relight them with embers from the sacred Beltane bonfires, a symbolic renewal of life. Hillsides blazed with fires to honor the sun, invoking fertility for crops and livestock, while young people leapt over the flames for luck and abundance. To create a true Beltane fire, the Celts gathered wood from nine different trees, igniting it through friction—a sacred act of creation mirroring the divine spark, much like the synchronicities Sophia taught us to trust.
Beltane and fertility
Beltane heralds the Earth’s peak fertility, a time when the Great Mother blossoms with bounty, her fields and forests teeming with life. As above, so below—if the Earth is fertile, so are we, her children. The sun, growing brighter and warmer, nourishes the seeds sown in spring, embodying the divine masculine counterpart to the feminine Earth. Together, they are the co-creators, their union reflected in every blooming flower and mating creature. This sacred dance of fertility mirrors the abundance of Mother Earth’s rhythms.
Beltane and Sexuality
Fertility at Beltane naturally intertwines with sexuality, the primal force that seeds life. This sabbat celebrates the cosmic union of the divine co-creators, a passionate dance of sacred sex that ignites the cosmos with life. We feel this fire in our own loins, a burning desire to create, to connect, to manifest. Beltane awakens our sexual energies, urging us to embrace our raw, primal selves and channel this passion into transformation. Just as the Earth blooms, so do our desires, inviting us to seed new beginnings in our lives, whether through physical creation or the manifestation of our deepest dreams.
The Sacred Dance of Duality
As a grey witch, I see duality in every sacred moment, and Beltane blazes with it. This festival honors the divine masculine and feminine, two energies that coexist within us all, regardless of gender. Beltane is a mirror reflecting the union of earthly and celestial forces. In the flames of Beltane, we connect these energies within ourselves, embodying the sacred marriage of opposites. For me, this day feels like a cosmic embrace, allowing all parts of me to dance in unison, weaving passion and creativity into a unified whole.
The Maypole
A quintessential Beltane symbol, the maypole is a tree adorned with ribbons, paints, and a floral crown, brought into the village as a focal point of celebration. Villagers dance around it, weaving the ribbons in a rhythmic dance that symbolizes the union of the divine masculine (the phallus of the pole) and feminine (the Earth’s energy in the ribbons). This act of co-creation mirrors the divine partnership, a physical manifestation of the fertility and love Beltane celebrates
Common Traditions
Beltane traditions are rich with magic and community:
- Druids would collect the dew prior to Sunrise on May 1st. This water was believed to have magickal powers such as healing ailments or creating beauty.
- Handfastings and other pagan wedding celebrations often take place during this sabbat as it is a time to celebrate love and fertility.
- Special oatmeal cakes are a popular food item for this sabbat. Often the cakes had knobs that could be torn off to sacrifice into the bonfires as an offering.
- Decorating the interiors and exteriors of homes with flowers during this time was a common practice to celebrate the fertility of the land. The most common were yellow flowers such as primrose and marigolds. Cows were also decorated with flowers as well.
- The May Bush was a small thorny tree or large bush, and was decorated with flowers, ribbons, and so on. People could have a May Bush for their home or for their community as a whole. Dancing around it was thought to bring good luck!
- Couples would often spend the night in the forest together on the Eve of Beltane, they would return in the morning bearing floral decorations for the homes. This was sometimes termed a Greenwood Marriage.
- May Baskets would be filled with small candies, baked goods, and flowers. They were placed on the doorknobs of neighbors as tokens of friendship.
Beltane Deities
In many mythologies, and pantheons, gods and goddesses of Beltane play a vital role in the seasonal cycle, symbolizing fertility, abundance, the earth, the sun, fire, and the divine union of the co-creators. Beltane is a time to honor deities of fertility, fire, and creation, weaving their energies into our rituals. Here are some divine beings to connect with, each echoing the co-creative themes of the festival.
Brigid
The most popular goddess associated with Beltane is the Celtic goddess, Brigid. She is a goddess of fertility, creativity, and healing. She is often depicted as a triple goddess, representing the three aspects of Maiden, Mother, and Crone. As such, she is a powerful symbol of transformation and growth. The Celtic goddess of fire, healing, and fertility, Brigid is a powerful deity associated with Beltane. Invoke her for creativity and abundance.
Bel or Belenos
Bel or Belenos is a Celtic fire god who may have been the catalyst for this sabbat thousands of years ago. When we translate Bel’s name, we get “Shining One”. Not only was Bel associated with fire and fertility, he was also a well-loved healing god whose cult stretched all the way from Italy to the British Isles, at its peak. Bel was also a sun god who rode the sun like a chariot across the sky each day, led by his sacred, most powerful totem – horses. There are those who believe Beltane originates in honor of Bel, and those who disagree.
Pan
Part man and part goat, Pan was the Greek god who was patron of shepherds and hunters, who watched their flocks. Pan was the Greek god of nature and the untamed wilderness. PAN was the god of the meadows and forests of the mountain wilds. His unseen presence aroused panic in those who traversed his realm. He was even thought to be the cause of the musical sound of the wind through the trees. He was Associated with music, fertility, and spring. In ancient Greek art, he was often depicted as a horned man with the legs of a goat; he was the chief of the satyrs, who were similar in appearance and character to Pan. Pan, ruled over nature and pasturelands. Pan is essentially the father of the wild things. He is frequently depicted in literature and artworks. Although he is not one of the major gods of Ancient Greece, he is one of most often referenced figures in Greek mythology. Pan has come to represent the unstoppable power of nature throughout the ages and still today. His music in the wind stirs passion, making him a perfect Beltane ally. Learn more in my previous post on Pan HERE!
Cernunnos
The horned god of the forest, Cernunnos is a powerful deity associated with Beltane. He is often invoked for protection and blessings of abundance. Cernunnos is an ancient Celtic god who was known for his power over wild nature. He was often depicted in art as a horned figure with antlers, embodying the balance between life and death. Cernunnos can be seen by many as a symbol of power and transition – from death to rebirth. He teaches us the importance of understanding our place in Nature and how to connect with it – learning from nature’s ebbs and flows, respecting its cycles and giving back when possible. Want to dive deeper into the forest with Cernunnos? Check out my FREE sneak peak week of Divine Tales Thursdays to his story of Beltane HERE!
Aine
The Irish goddess of love and fertility, Aine is a powerful deity associated with Beltane. Aine is a powerful Irish goddess associated with Beltane who brings joy and abundance to those who honor her. Her strength is the power of manifestation, bringing healing and liberation with her presence. Those who recognize Aine’s energy can connect deeply with their true path in life. She brings forth inner resources and courage to follow new inspirations. Aine offers a powerful source of guidance and protection when we call upon her. The Irish goddess of love and fertility, Aine brings joy and manifestation, guiding us to our true path.
Cerridwen
The Welsh goddess of wisdom and knowledge, Cerridwen is a powerful deity associated with Beltane. Cerridwen’s energy personifies serpentine fertility, free-thinking, and independence. She encourages us to let go of any self-limiting beliefs and attitudes, allowing for clearer consciousness and introspection. Connecting with Cerridwen during Beltane offers an opportunity to create positive life changes through personal power. The Welsh goddess of wisdom, Cerridwen inspires transformation and independence. Watch my class on her on Divination’s YouTube channel for deeper connection. Plus don’t forget to check out her spell inside the deity a series HERE!
Lugh
The Irish god of the sun, Lugh is a powerful deity associated with Beltane. Lugh is a powerful deity said to have brought learning and knowledge to man. He is an Irish God of the Tuatha De Dannan, associated with Beltane and the summer season. As the Celtic solar deity, Lugh governs over life, light and law. His traditional symbols represent energy and creativity, from a shining sun held aloft in his hands to fiery arrows that stand for passion and lust. Want to dive deeper into radiant energy of Lugh? Check out my FREE sneak peak of the deity a day series with his spell HERE.
The Morrigan
At the heart of the emerald isle is a legendary Goddess that cloaks the battlefield in darkness. The Morrígan is a symbol of feminine strength, wisdom, and power. Though she may be attached to the darkness of death she also is the light in the dreariness of battle. When warriors are in doubt, the Morrígan will appear and lead the way to victory. She is a majestic and ethereal being that resides at the core of Irish mythology. The Phantom Queen on the battlefield. The crow that soars above the wreckage and ruin. The seeress, the warrior, the protector. The Morrigan, while often thought of as purely a warrior goddess of death, becomes the fertile earth on Beltane and unites with the Dagda to birth new life. She is both light and dark. Life and death. War and love. A Divine Paradox. To learn more about her and MEET her you can watch my previous class I taught on her with HERE!
The Correspondences Of Beltane
First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be a deity, an archetype energy, the zodiac energy the moon is currently or for A holiday or sacred time like Beltane. Use these in your rituals to deepen your connection.
- Planet: Earth
- Animals: Cows, goats, sheep, horses, bees, rabbits, frogs, swans, cats, doves, lynx
- Elements: Fire, Earth
- Colors: Red, white, green, yellow, blue, pink
- Herbs/Flowers: Rose, lavender, lilac, hawthorn, jasmine, daisy, ivy, dandelion, calendula, marigold, primrose, frankincense
- Stones/Crystals: Amber, bloodstone, carnelian, malachite, green aventurine, moss agate, fire agate, red jasper, emerald, rose quartz
- Deities: Bel, Brigid, Pan, Cernunnos, Aine, Cerridwen, Lugh, The Morrigan, Rhiannon, Apollo, The Green Man
- Symbols: Bonfires, the fae, the sun, sacred sex, floral crowns, maypole, phallus, womb, cauldron, chalice, ribbons, antlers, flowers
- Gender: Masculine and feminine
Magical Themes Of Beltane
Every season and every pagan holiday has certain concepts and magical themes. Which means, depending on your tradition and needs, you can weave one or more of these themes into your personal celebrations. Beltane’s magic is vibrant and multifaceted, offering themes to weave into your celebrations.
- Abundance
- Fertility
- Sexuality
- Union
- connection
- creation/creativity
- love/lust
- Growth
- marriage
- Purification/cleansing
- protection
- Fires
- Divine feminine and Masculine
- The cycles of nature
- Manifestation
- Transformation
- Passion/desire
- Enchantment
- Weather divination
- Fire scrying
- Working with the fae
Ways to Celebrate Beltane
We have talked about many different themes, and energies you can connect to during this time from fertility, abundance, sexuality, passion, creativity, transformation, and more. Let’s talk about how we can connect to and celebrate those themes and energies now. First, you can participate and honor any of the deities listed above or that are associated with Spring, Summer, The god, the Goddess, and the sun. You can work with any affirmations, mantras, and visualization work for manifestation, passion, union, creation, abundance, fertility, sexuality, and transformation. Beltane’s energies of fertility, passion, and transformation invite us to celebrate in meaningful ways. Here are some rituals to honor this sacred time, inspired by the divine co-creation of this holiday.
Have a bonfire
As we talked about above, first and foremost beltane was celebrated as fire festival and the ancient celts used to pass their cattle through two of them to purify and cleanse them. So, what better way to connect to beltane and celebrate it than to build, lit, and enjoy a bonfire of your own! It’s common to do this with others, have some drinks, and leap over the flames for good luck and prosperity. Just be safe!
Perform a burning release
You already have the fire burning so why not use it for some release magic? One of my favorite ways to release unwanted habits, energies, people, and things from my life is to burn it away with fire. Take a piece of paper, focus on what it is you want to release from your life, write it on that piece of paper than walk up to your bonfire and as you let the paper fall and be burned in the flames visualize what you wrote being burned to ashes in your life as well.
Erect a Maypole
The Maypole has been a traditional May Day activity for centuries. What better way to celebrate Beltane, and honor your ancestors, than to make your own Maypole? Grab a pole, some ribbon, and some flowers, and erect one in your own yard and braid the ribbons together as you dance around in the warmth of the summer sun.
Dance
Beltane is a very fertile time full of energy, passion, and creativity, so what better way to connect to that energy than to move with it. We can do this by moving our hips, our womb spaces and moving our body through dance. Dancing allows us to move energy around, connect to the movements of energy around us in a dynamic way, and opens up our womb space to connect to sexual energy. So, get up move your body through dance and maybe even do so around a bonfire!
Perform Sex Magic
Beltane is a time burning with passion, sexual desire and is all about connecting to the sacred union of the divine co-creators. Now, is in my opinion the most potent time to connect to not only their sexual energy around you but, to yours as well. Take this time to perform both solo sex magic and sex magic with a partner. to connect to your true sexual form, to perform the most potent manifestation work, and to unleash your raw primal sexual desires like never before. It was a common tradition in ancient times for couples to perform sex rites out in the woods even; on Beltane’s eve. I promise you sex on Beltane is one of the most orgasmic, cosmic, and pleasurable experiences you can have. Give it a try this Beltane!
Wild Flower Crafting
Wild flowers have always been a big part of the Beltane celebrations. In ancient times, specific white and yellow flowers were gathered and hung over the doorways in Ireland to celebrate the day and invoke fertility and abundance. So go and pick wildflowers, Beltane is the perfect day for it! Then return home and make a bouquet. Or if you’re feeling really crafty, make flower wreaths, crowns or garland to decorate yourself and your home or to place on your altar
Refresh Your Altar
Another way to connect to a holiday and/or sacred day I always recommend is to cleanse and refresh your altar and/or sacred space. This is particularly beneficial if you have Celtic gods you honor and connect to already. Use water or fire to cleanse, then decorate with wildflowers, images of the fae, the divine masculine, the divine feminine, and any of the Beltane correspondences we talked about earlier.
Work with the Green Man
The Green Man is a legendary figure in Celtic lore and throughout Europe. He is a guardian of the forest and likely a type of elemental. When he’s seen, he is typically covered from head to foot in leaves, branches, flowers and moss. Some believe he is an ancient god of the wilderness, who protects the wildlife and sacred, unspoiled places in nature. Work with the Green Man’s energy on Beltane by hiking in the woods, or even by creating space for him on your altar.
Simmer pot for beltane
Whether you consider yourself a Kitchen Witch, are vaguely interested in Kitchen Magic or just want to bring some good vibes and good smells into your home, simmer pots are an easy, accessible and fun ritual for any time of year! Simmer pots are easy to create and customize to your liking, so you can make your kitchen a sacred space whenever you want! So, why not make one specifically to call in and honor the energy of Beltane? Do you Need more information about simmer pots? Check out my guide here and my spell post here! Can you tell I love these containers of magic?
Perform Fae Magic
In ancient times, and up to the modern era, the Celtic people believe strongly in the Fae, also called the faery folk, good folk or sidhe. Every Beltane, great care was taken to appease the fae, to prevent them from whisking away all the butter and milk. By leaving out faery offerings on Beltane, you’re carrying on this tradition and starting a working relationship with the fae. Or make a witch’s ladder with intention of appeasing the fae. Make faery houses and a space for the garden.
Perform Purifications and Cleansing Rituals
We talked about above how beltane was seen as time to purify and cleanse for the celts. They would take the time to pass their cattle through two bonfires to cleanse them even. This is a great time for you to do some cleansing and purifying as well. Perform cleansing and purifying rituals on your home and yourself like smoke cleansing, ritual baths, floor washes, or any rituals you prefer to use in your practices.
Candle Spells
Not everyone can have a big fire on Beltane. So for those of us who want to invoke the power of the fire element, simply lighting a few candles is enough. Casting candle spells on Beltane is also a potent way to send your intentions into the ether. Particularly if you’re looking to increase fertility, prosperity and creativity in your life. Want to learn more about candle magic? Get access to my downloadable grimoire pages inside The Mystic Mysteries today!
Perform a Beauty Ritual
Any beauty rituals performed on Beltane are amplified by the fiery, Summer magic on this sacred day. Take a ritual milk bath, drink an herbal beauty concoction, and craft your own magical beauty products.
Five Senses Nature Walk
Beltane is the midway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice which is all about the cycle and movement of nature and marking the most fertile time for new life to grow, blossom, and be seeded. So why not take the time to connect to nature itself? Soak in all the fertility and abundance in nature right now. You can do this by going on a five sense nature walk. After you have engaged all your senses, walk back to your home. Reflect on your experience by writing it down in a journal
Perform Egg magic for fertility
Beltane is deeply associated with fertility, symbolized by the divine union in various traditions, such as the Great Rite in Wicca or the coupling of The Morrigan and the Dagda in Irish Celtic lore. This makes it an ideal time for fertility spells, particularly those using eggs, a universal symbol of life and creation. Egg magic can involve rituals like decorating eggs with symbols of fertility, burying them in the earth to “plant” your intentions, or using eggshells in spell work to enhance growth and abundance. For detailed guidance, check out my blog on egg magic here. This practice is especially potent for those seeking to conceive or foster new beginnings in their lives.
Make a Beltane Spell Jar
Spell jars are a versatile and powerful tool for harnessing Beltane’s energy. To create one, select a jar and cleanse it thoroughly (e.g., with smoke or moonlight). Choose ingredients that align with Beltane’s themes of fertility, abundance, and transformation—such as rose petals for love, cinnamon for passion, or seeds for growth. As you add each item, focus on your specific intention, visualizing abundance and prosperity. Seal the jar with a lid, and for extra potency, add sigils or seal it with wax. Place the jar on your altar or in a prominent location, shaking it occasionally to reactivate the magic. Do you need to learn more about spell jars? Dive into my free blogpost here OR purchase my eBook Here!
Beltane Ritual/Spell: Fire of Abundance Candle Spell
This simple yet powerful candle spell harnesses Beltane’s fiery energy to call in abundance, creativity, and passion into your life. It’s perfect for those who can’t have a large bonfire but still want to honor the fire element during this sacred time
What You’ll Need:
- A small green or gold candle (for abundance and prosperity)
- A pinch of dried herbs like basil or chamomile (for growth and success)
- A small piece of paper and a pen
- A fire-safe dish or holder
- Optional: A few drops of rose or cinnamon essential oil (for passion and attraction)
Steps:
1. Prepare Your work area: Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Cleanse the area with smoke (like sage or palo santo) or by visualizing a purifying light surrounding you, tying into the purification rituals mentioned earlier.
2. Set Your Intention: On the piece of paper, write down what you wish to call into your life—abundance, creativity, a new project, or even fertility. Be specific and focus on the feelings of already having this in your life.
3. Dress the Candle: If using essential oil, anoint the candle by rubbing a few drops onto it, moving from the bottom to the top to draw energy in. Sprinkle the dried herbs onto the candle or around its base, visualizing them infusing the candle with growth and prosperity.
4. Light the Candle: Place the candle in its holder. As you light it, say:
“By the fire of Beltane, I call in abundance and light. May creativity, prosperity, and passion ignite in my life. So it is.”
Feel the warmth of the flame as a symbol of Beltane’s transformative power.
5. Burn Your Intention: Carefully light the paper with your intention using the candle flame, then place it in the fire-safe dish to burn completely. As it burns, visualize your intention rising with the smoke, carried into the universe to manifest.
6. Close the Ritual: Let the candle burn down safely (never leave it unattended). If you need to extinguish it, snuff it out rather than blowing it out to keep the energy contained. Once the candle is done, bury any remnants (wax, herbs, or ash) in your garden or a potted plant to ground the spell and symbolize growth.
Wrap Up
The post concludes by emphasizing Beltane’s essence as a celebration of fertility, prosperity, and transformation during a season of warmth and growth. It highlights the sacred duality of co-creation, symbolized by the union of divine forces that seed all life. Whether through rituals, spellwork, or connecting with nature, Beltane invites you to ignite your soul with passion, creativity, and sensuality, empowering you to embrace your true self in the coming season. The post encourages personalizing your celebration to honor this vibrant, transformative energy.
Join Us for a Free Virtual Beltane Meditation!
Celebrate Beltane Eve with us on April 30th at 8:00 PM for a magical virtual meditation around a lit fire. Connect with the fiery, transformative energy of Beltane as we gather in spirit to honor the season of growth, passion, and abundance. This guided meditation will help you set intentions, release what no longer serves you, and welcome the vibrant energy of summer. No registration required—just bring your open heart and a candle to join the circle from wherever you are. Find the live link on our website or social media pages on the day of the event. Let’s ignite our souls together this Beltane!
I am Kayreign, the Divine Oracle of the Gods and Keeper of Mysteries, a solitary grey magic practitioner with over 15 years of experience walking the sacred paths of the unseen. As a mystic and relentless seeker of all knowledge, I weave together the threads of every magical tradition—light and dark, ancient and modern—to uncover the universal truths that bind us to the cosmos. My mission is to restore and re-enchant magic in this realm, igniting its spark in every soul I encounter, and guiding you to embrace the full spectrum of your being.
My work is rooted in the power of duality, honoring the dance between shadow and light as equal partners in your spiritual journey. I hold space for you to explore all magic paths and practices, drawing from the vast tapestry of mystical wisdom to help you uncover your unique magic and sacred contracts. As the Divine Oracle of the Gods, I channel divine insights to illuminate your path; as the Keeper of Mysteries, I guide you into the depths of the unknown, where true transformation awaits.
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