Beltaine Celebration 2026 Reflections

For our Beltaine Celebration this year, we began with a walk in the woods to see the spring ephemerals, such as trilliums, jack-in-the-pulpits, and wild geraniums. (You can search this site to see pictures of our woods at this time of year!) We drove around to the back side of the property to hike in from the lane off the dirt road, as we don’t currently have access from the house side.

the SE stone in the stone circle

Next we had a little ceremony in the stone circle. The SE stone was decorated to reflect our seasonal position on our big sky map.

Wheel of the Year Planisphere Graphic by Amy Clark

The SE stone was decorated with items to reflect where we are in the heavens as well as the earth.

Highland Cow with flowers for Beltaine

In ancient times, before the Beltaine celebration, all fires would be extinguished and then rekindled at the sacred flame of the ritual Beltaine fire. For part of our ceremony we lit the central candle which was blessed for Beltaine, and then each of us lit a small candle to take home and use for the lighting of any other candles this year. We each made a wish for the coming year as we lit our candles.

candle at the center stone

We talked about how at this time in the zodiac we are leaving Aries which is a fire sign and the sign corresponding to the head of the zodiac man. This is the place where we “arise” and bring our own fire up to be enlightened in our minds. It is this which is being referred to when Jesus is crucified at Golgotha (the place of the skull) where he then is resurrected and arises. So to commemorate this we are taking the flame of Aries with us throughout the year.

At the beginning of May we are now entering the zodiacal sign of Taurus, the bull. In ancient times at Beltaine there was a ritual of blessing the cows which was no doubt because of this correlation with the sky at this time of year. Taurus corresponds with the neck on the zodiac man. Studying these correspondences and the stories of the heavens helps us to understand how the above and the below are connected not only seasonally, but on an even more personal level in our lives. The stories of the Bible are actually all astrological and help us to understand better what the ancient peoples were also celebrating.

making an offering of flowers before lighting our candles

After our ceremony we danced the Maypole. A member of our community, Amy Clark, made a beautiful graphic which gives some more insights about the celebration of Beltaine and how the Maypole fits in. Of course this time of year is also all about fertility, both of the land and our own creative fertility.

Part of our ceremony is for each person to tie their own ribbon on to the Maypole.

Then we raise the Maypole, symbolizing the raising of our own lower natures to our higher selves.

getting ready to dance

We always have so much fun doing the dance together, weaving in and out and seeing all the smiling faces and laughter.

Afterwards we gathered in the fire circle for a potluck and bonfire. It was a beautiful celebration and a lovely time together!

Wishing you all blessings of the Beltaine season!

Jean