Honoring the Earth and the Divine Feminine: Beltane Traditions from Irish Shamanism
Beltane, which falls on May 1st, is one of the major Celtic festivals that celebrates the arrival of summer. It marks the midway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice and is traditionally a time of fertility, growth, and abundance. In Irish shamanic traditions, Beltane is associated with the goddesses Brigid, Aine, and Queen Maeve, who represent fertility, creativity, sovereignty, and war.
To honor the goddesses of Beltane, you can set up a small altar with symbols that represent their qualities. Brigid is often associated with fire, so you can light a candle in her honor or decorate your altar with red and orange flowers. Aine is associated with the land and the natural world, so you can include herbs or crystals that connect you to the earth. Queen Maeve can be honored with symbols of sovereignty, such as a crown or a chalice.
Want to go a bit deeper? Here is one simple practice you can do to honor each of the three goddesses of Beltane:
Make a May Day basket for Aine:
In traditional Irish culture, May Day baskets were made to honor the fertility of the land and were filled with flowers, herbs, and other offerings. You can create your own May Day basket by filling a small basket or container with flowers or herbs that represent fertility and growth, and leaving it as an offering in a place of natural beauty.
Move your body for Brigid:
Get in touch with the earth's energies and let your body move to the beat! Beltane is traditionally celebrated with the Maypole dance, symbolizing the union of masculine and feminine forces. While dancing around a Maypole may not be practical for everyone, you can still connect with your body and the energies of the season. Goddess Brigid, known for her strong connection to creativity and movement, has revealed to me the significance of the pelvic bowl or pelvic cauldron. (To learn more about working with your Pelvic Bowl check out our Free Pelvic Bowl Clearing video) This area of the body is closely linked to sexuality, creativity, and movement. So, put on some music that speaks to your soul and let your body lead the way. You'll be surprised at how invigorated and refreshed you'll feel after letting go and allowing yourself to move in celebration of this sacred time.
Harness the power of manifestation for Queen Maeve:
As nature awakens and new life begins to sprout, Beltane reminds us that it's a time for growth and abundance. Queen Maeve, a powerful goddess of sovereignty and war, reminds us of our own power to manifest our desires AND that you have every right to an abundant life. A great way to connect with this energy is to plant seeds of manifestation in your mind. Visualize what you want to cultivate in your life this summer, and make a plan for how you will nourish those seeds. This is a powerful way to tap into the magic of Beltane. For an added boost, try our Free Next Steps and Manifestation Guided Journey to further align your energy with your intentions.
Beltane is a powerful time of year to connect with the natural rhythms of the earth and honor the goddesses of fertility, creativity, sovereignty, and war. By creating a small altar, making a May Day basket, moving your body, and harnessing the power of manifestation, you can tap into the magic of this sacred time and plant the seeds of abundance and growth for the summer months ahead. May this Beltane bring you joy, abundance, and a deep connection to the earth and its cycles.
