It’s only after I relocated to Edinburgh that I began to appreciate the Celtic wheel of the year. After some research, I find that a lot of the dates or important festivals seem to coincide with the Chinese lunar calendar. Although different rituals are adopted and practised by the two different cultures, I love how both the Chinese lunar calendar and the Celtic wheel of the year pay tribute and respect to the wonders of mother earth.

The beauty of Beltane lies in the fact that it celebrates and honours life. It is the last of the three pagan fertility festivals (after Imbolc and Ostara) and lies on May 1. It’s believed that the veil between the human world and the spirit world grows thin so it’s a wonderful time for us to connect to our spiritualities.

My first experience of Beltane was the Beltane Fire Festival in Calton Hill, Edinburgh. While it’s become more of a cultural event, I love that it still incorporates myth and symbolism associated with Beltane, such as May Queen and Green Man. Being so close to fire makes me feel protected and also connected to the sensual spirits. Although covid means that the Beltane fire festival is not returning physically this year, there are still many ways we can celebrate this beautiful festival at home

Start a bonfire

Beltane means Bel’s fire. Fire is traditionally used on the day as a purifier and healer. Bonfires were lit using different types of wood, when the fire was blazing, its ashes, smokes and flames were believed to have protective power where people then take it back to their home to ensure fertility and harvesting throughout the summer months.

It’s a symbolic move to remove the residues of winter and cleansed the time we spent indoors in the dark months - that’s why I feel this year the fire has an additional significance. We’re all ready to enter a new normal after a few months of lockdown and spending time inside. I also see the fire as a welcoming of the sun and newness.

Fear not if you do not have a garden or a fire pit, even lighting a candle with the intention of purifying would be a good way to harness the energy of Beltane

Place flowers everywhere

I’m a big flowers lover and I’d love any excuse to buy and decorate my home with flowers. In Feng Shui, flowers always symbolise new and fresh energy so I’ve always had flowers in my living room. Beltane is about celebrating and honouring our interconnection with mother earth, so instead of just having one bouquet at home, we can put cut flowers in different rooms in our home - even just some petals on your bed to celebrate sensuality!

Spring flowers such as cous cous, tulips, dandelions are especially connected to the spirit of Beltane as they are blossoming during the period, however, use any flowers that appeal to you. Even just flowers you pick in a park.

If you’re feeling creative and crafty, you can always make a flower crown and wear it!

Celebrating your love with your loved ones

Beltane celebrates the union of goddess and god so have always been a popular time for pagan weddings. Since union and connection are important themes in Beltane, why not use this time to honour your relationship with your loved one? It can be so easy to forget how blessed we are when we always have our significant others by our sides, so it’s a good opportunity to express our love to each other.

One thing you can try to do is handfasting - it’s a ritual that involves tying the hands together (ie. tying the knots) using a ribbon. This symbolises the union of the two people. It could be a lovely little ritual to do with your loved one. While you’re using the ribbons to tie the knot, you could either renew your vows or recite writings that are meaningful to the two of you.

If you are not currently in a romantic but is desiring one, you can harness the potent energy of Beltane to manifest your ideal relationship. Take some time to reflect on how you want to feel when you are in a relationship, and you can write it down in a letter as a prayer. If you are familiar with your kua number, you can also put this paper in your relationship corner to double charge your manifestation power

Handfasting ceremonies is sometimes seen as an alternative to traditional weddings - it’s all about celebrating love and union. Photo taken from Keli Tomlin Ceremonies

Do a visualisation exercise

Beltane is all about revitalisation and envisioning good fortune, union and abundance. With the fire purifying any unwanted energy, it’s a good day to visualise future and imagine the future you. If you are thinking of moving, why not use this time to visualise where you want to move to? How you want to feel in your new home? How do you want your space to support you?

When you visualise, you materialise.

Denis Waitley

If you are feeling uninspired with your current circumstances or current home, visualise a future where you feel fulfilled, uplifted. Observe how you feel during your visualisation and see if you can cultivate the same frequency at your home - perhaps you need to do a more in-depth space clearing? Or perhaps you would like to Feng Shui your home so that your home can support all your endeavours?

It’s my passion to support women in creating soul-aligned spaces and I feel that Beltane is such an auspicious and beautiful time to manifest a truly soulful space. If you would like some support in this transformational journey, send me a message and let’s chat