BELTAINE, 1st NOVEMBER

At Beltaine, the Virgin Goddess and the young Sun God join in sexual union - The Great Rite, that which celebrates sex. Sex is a sacred, creative force that can be used to make all your dreams come true. From the Great Rite, the Goddess concieves a son - the Child of Darkness, but not of evil. She gives birth to him at Litha. Beltaine is a time to celebrate sexual union.....the Spiral Dance around a Maypole is most traditional.

Symbols of Beltaine:
The red and white ribbons on the Maypole symbolising blood and sperm, luscious fruit such as berries, bananas, a head garland of willow brances and flowers, goats, rabbits, honey bees, sapphires, bloodstone, roses, cowslips, rosemary, lilac, primrose, birch, Rose and Vanilla Oil, gathering flowers, May baskets, the chalice and the athame/wand in the symbolic Great Rite.

On your altar, place a basket full of flowers (preferably native), red and white ribbons, and red and white candles. This is a time to celebrate or forms of sexuality, and the Great Rite (either symbolically or actually) is performed to celebrate the chain of life, and the fertility of the season. Now is a traditional time for marriage - the pagan Handfasting ceremony. Make a samll token or charm to symbolise the marriage of the Goddess and God (perhaps a couple of wedding rings, real or drawn, some flowers, wrapped up in white cloth, tied with a white ribbon), and place it on your altar.

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