Beltane…

Posted on May 1, 2018 by Sue Vincent

The ancient festival of Beltane has always been special to me. As I child, I was caught by its magic when my grandfather first read me the story of ‘Borrobil‘, where two children walk between the Beltane fires and are whisked away into a land of myth, magic and the obligatory dragon.

For years afterwards, every time the number seventy-seven bus passed the conical hill on the way to town, we would talk about Beltane. I learned its legends and traditions, and more than any other of the festivals of the turning of the year, this one is close to my heart, rooted, as it is, in fond memories.

Over the years, I have celebrated Beltane in many ways and in many places. I have danced around a Maypole, weaving the ribbons in the pattern of life. Joined a spiral dance in the streets of Oxford.  Seen the Maypole rise beneath Glastonbury Tor and watched the red and white dragons take to the streets.

I have laughed with friends, given and received sprigs of lily of the valley as is the tradition in France and worn a wreath of May blossom. But perhaps the most magical May Days involved my sons. The first dawn my youngest son ever saw was a Beltane sunrise… and there was real Beltane magic when Nick and I walked up an ancient barrow together and he danced in the summer.

 

This year, I am not going to be quite so lucky.While many of my friends are gathering with the priestesses of Avalon or carrying Maypoles, I have, instead, an early start at work followed by a hospital appointment. And that’s okay.

Around my neck, I wear the red and white dragons. Beneath my feet, the earth is bursting with life as the first day of the ancient summer season is counted. The blackthorn hedges wear a wedding gown of white and the hawthorns bear the crown of May.

I wish you all blessings at Beltane.

About Sue Vincent

Sue Vincent was a Yorkshire born writer, esoteric teacher and a Director of The Silent Eye. She was immersed in the Mysteries all her life. Sue maintained a popular blog and is co-author of The Mystical Hexagram with Dr G.M.Vasey. Sue lived in Buckinghamshire, having been stranded there due to an accident with a blindfold, a pin and a map. She had a lasting love-affair with the landscape of Albion, the hidden country of the heart. Sue  passed into spirit at the end of March 2021.
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55 Responses to Beltane…

  1. Kathness says:
    May 1, 2018 at 06:04

    Looks fun! What country is this? I like festivities like this ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  2. Pingback: Beltane… – The Militant Negro™

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  4. Stuart France says:
    May 1, 2018 at 06:39

    Blessed Beltane!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Marilyn Armstrong says:
    May 1, 2018 at 06:48

    Reblogged this on Serendipity – Seeking Intelligent Life on Earth and commented:
    One of the great festivals which I would so much love to attend!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Adele Marie says:
    May 1, 2018 at 08:20

    Beltaine blessings to you, Sue. xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. jenanita01 says:
    May 1, 2018 at 08:59

    And countless blessings to you to, Sue… xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Esther Chilton says:
    May 1, 2018 at 11:59

    Very insightful and great photos 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. watchingthedaisies says:
    May 1, 2018 at 15:24

    Blessed Beltane Sue. 🌼

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. Helen Jones says:
    May 1, 2018 at 15:53

    Blessings to you too, Sue 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. Helen Jones says:
    May 1, 2018 at 15:54

    Reblogged this on Journey To Ambeth and commented:
    It is May 1st, or Beltane in the old calendar. Sue’s heartfelt post and wonderful photos seem like the perfect way to celebrate. Happy Beltane, all!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  17. Jane Sturgeon says:
    May 1, 2018 at 16:31

    Beltane blessings Sue ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  18. Christine Valentor says:
    May 1, 2018 at 17:09

    Thanks for sharing your memories! A happy Beltane to you 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. D. Wallace Peach says:
    May 1, 2018 at 17:36

    Lovely post, Sue. I can understand why Beltane is so special to you. My favorite photo is Nick dancing in the summer. I know you’ll celebrate wherever you are. Happy Beltane Blessings to you. ❤

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  20. Anne Copeland says:
    May 1, 2018 at 20:30

    How lucky to have such rich festivals to celebrate, rituals that are full of meaning. We have the standard ones, but through the years, the memories have been clouded by commercialism, and so they seem to have lost their deeper meanings. I would love to celebrate something like this that had so much of a culture in it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  21. Widdershins says:
    May 1, 2018 at 22:26

    Here comes the sun! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. philosophermouseofthehedge says:
    May 1, 2018 at 23:18

    Cheers and blessings to you.
    My very old and very proper grandmother who tried to keep some of her British heritage and pass it on to us used to insist we gather flowers, wrap them in a paper doily, and tie them with ribbons to neighbor’s doors – she called it May Day. Back then the elementary bschool did have May Day celebrations with the oldest grade having a May pole and dance which was done after each grade level performed their assigned and well practice dances first. It was a big deal ( and hot in this climate) Sad the tradition has faded. My daughter’s early grades did have a May Pole.
    Cinco de Mayo just isn’t the same. That’s a commercial beer event mainly (with few knowing what it is about and is hardly recognized in Mexico anyway.)
    Sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Sue Vincent says:
      May 1, 2018 at 23:28

      There are lots of lovely old May Day traditions and thankfully, many of them are still kept here, though most have been Christianised, even though their origins are much older than the ‘new’ religion 😉

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  23. dgkaye says:
    May 2, 2018 at 02:50

    Happy Beltane blessings Sue. I hope your hospital appointment went well. ❤

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  24. Lyn Horner says:
    May 2, 2018 at 03:18

    Sorry you can’t participate in the Beltane festivities this year, Sue. It looks like great fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  25. willowdot21 says:
    May 4, 2018 at 00:30

    Thank you and I wish you the same, if s little belatedly.💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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