(April 30)This is the celebration of the wedding of the Goddess and God. It marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, He desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God. The Wiccans celebrate the symbol of Her fertility in rintual. Beltane has long been marked with feasts and rituals.If possible, celebrate Beltane in a forest of near a living tree. If this is impossible, bring a small tree within the circle, preferably potted; it can be of any type. Create a small token or charm in honor of the wedding of the Goddess and God to hang upon the tree. You can make several if you desire. These tokens can be bags filled with fragrant flowers, strings of beads, carvings, flower garland-whatever your talents and imagination can conjure.
Arrange the alter, light the candles and incense, and cast the Circle. Invoke the four courners and the Goddess and God. Stand before the altar, with wand upraised and say:
O Mother Goddess, Queen of the night and of the Earth;O Father God, King of the day and of the forests,I / we celebrate Your union as nature rejoices in a riotousblaze of color and life. Accept my / our gift, Mother Goddessand Father God, in honor of Your union.Place the token(s) on the tree then say the following:From Your mating shall spring forth life anew;a profusion of living creatures shall cover the lands,and the winds will blow pure and sweet.O Ancient Ones, I / we celebrate with You!Works of magic, if necessary, may follow. Celebrate the Simple Feast. Release the circle.Weaving and plaiting are traditional arts at this time of the year, for joining together of two substances to form a third is in the spirit of Beltane.
Traditional foods for Beltane include those from the dairy, and dishes such as marigold custard and vanilla ice cream are fine. Oatmeal cakes are also appropriate.
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