Blessed Beltane

Beltane is a time of vibrant energy, fire, and decisive action. It marks the moment to release the ideas you have been planning and the seeds you have been nurturing throughout the long, dark winter. Those carefully tended ideas and desires are now ready to be set free into the world, to take flight and grow and develop under the influence of the warming Sun and the burgeoning life energy of Mother Earth.

The seeds I have been nurturing include workshops developed in collaboration with The Wild Reiki Woman of Wortwell and with spiritual medium and tarot reader Tracey Wells, as well as independently as Time to Tune In. If you would like to be a part of any of these events, the links and details are provided below.

Beltane Evening of Witchy Ways - Thursday May 1st 7- 9pm.

Join us around our Beltane Fire at Waveney Valley Barn and discover your inner magic. We will explore the foundational principles of Witchcraft, learn how to cast a magical circle, examine the tools of the craft, and begin your journey of spell work by creating your very own dream bag and protection talisman. - More information and tickets are available here

Norwich Tarot and Mediumship Development Circle - Monday June 2nd 7-9pm

Join myself and medium and Tarot reader Tracy Wells in this development circle. You will learn the secrets of the Tarot and how to connect with spirit and your guides, as well as develop your own intuitive and mediumship skills - More information and tickets are available here

Reiki Level 1: Two-Day Attunement - Saturday 31st May and Sunday 1st June

In this two-day workshop, you will receive your Reiki Level 1 attunement. You will learn about the history of Reiki, the Reiki principles, your chakras and energy systems, and how to heal yourself, family, and friends. There will be opportunities for practical, hands-on experience in a safe and supportive space - More information and tickets are available here

Beltane

Beltane is one of the cross-quarter days in the Pagan year, marking the midpoint between the Spring Equinox (Ostara) and the Summer Solstice. It stands opposite Samhain in the cycle of the year. By this time, Spring has fully sprung, and this day signifies the beginning of Summer, a celebration of the fertility and potential burgeoning around us. It is associated with fertility, growth, and abundance. The veil thins between our world and the realm of the Fae; guardians of the natural world are said to be active this night, and it is customary to leave out a bowl of milk and honey for any passing wee folk.

Beltane is also a fire festival, deeply connected to the agricultural calendar and the greening of the earth. Traditionally, it was celebrated with great bonfires through which cattle would be driven as they were finally released to their summer pastures. It was a time for handfasting ceremonies and fertility rites, a celebration of abundance, and a period for manifestation and rituals aimed at encouraging the continued ascent of the Sun thus ensuring positive omens for a strong and fruitful harvest.

Maypole dances were traditionally performed for Beltane, with the pole representing the Divine Masculine and the ribbons the Divine Feminine. This symbolised the eternal intertwining of masculine and feminine forces and the connection between sky and earth, or above and below.

Fires were lit to recall, welcome, and encourage the growing power of the Sun. Communities would jump over the Beltane fire, seeing this as an opportunity for cleansing and renewal. It is a time of increasing light, with the hours of daylight now longer than those of darkness, fostering positivity and encouraging people to be outdoors, connecting with and nurturing the abundance of the land.

Traditions and Rituals for a Modern Beltane

While we may not have many opportunities to build grand community bonfires to drive our cattle through on this festival of Beltane, a candle flame with suffice to honor this day. Also, there are still plenty of traditional activities and crafts in which we can participate in to make this day special.

Local villages and fêtes might offer us the chance to watch (and sometimes join in) Maypole dancing to weave your own magic, entwining it with the Divine Masculine and Divine Feminine energies abundant at this time. You may find your local Morris Dancers performing traditional dances at this time. Indeed, in Norwich, Kemps Men of Norwich will be dancing at 5am on St James Hill, 6am at The Forum, and 7am at the West Front of Norwich Cathedral. In many areas of the country, particularly in Derbyshire, it is customary to perform a Well Dressing. This involves decorating a well, spring, or water source with natural materials, usually clay and flower petals, to thank the Well Spirit and Water Nymphs for providing a reliable and pure water source. If we cannot reach a natural spring or water source, perhaps we can honor our own source of water – that which runs from our kitchen tap – in the same way.

May Queens and Kings were traditionally crowned at this time, and a wonderful way to mark this festival is to weave yourself a crown from willow branches and decorate it with the spring flowers and foliage that are so abundant now.

Every year on Beltane morning, my Mum would wake me at dawn to wash my face in the May Day morning dew. This was believed to bring good luck and ensure continued beauty for another year. Is this a tradition you could start with your own children or grandchildren or even for yourselves?

Above all else, May Day or Beltane is a celebration of all things natural. Get outside, put your feet on the earth, and connect with the land and its spirits!

Manifestation Spread for Beltane

As the Earth in the Northern Hemisphere moves into its season of greatest abundance, now is the opportune time for us to align with the natural energies surrounding us and tap into that rising, potent energy to assist us to manifest our own abundance and richness into our lives. Is there something you wish to welcome into your life? Do you have a quiet desire that you wish to bring to fruition? If so, this tarot spread is for you. It will help you to identify helpful energies surrounding you, reveal how you might be hindering your progress, and offer guidance on your next steps.

Sit quietly for a moment, perhaps light a candle, and if you feel drawn to, burn some incense. Focus on your breath and begin to connect with your guides, spirit helpers, or the energy you work with. Ask them to assist you with support in manifesting at this time for your highest and best good. Shuffle your cards while focusing on the insight you wish to receive.

When you feel ready, lay out the cards as described below and lean into your intuition to decipher their meanings

Position 1 - What is unfolding with ease at this time? Where is the energy flowing right now? What dream is mine to hold? Where should I place my focus?

Position 2 - How is my ego blocking me? How am I getting in my own way?

Position 3 - How can my higher self help this process? How can my intuition, guides, the universe step in to support my desires?

Position 4 - What is my next step? This card reveals the next step, action, or helpful people that will support the manifestation of my dream.

Where you can find me this season:

These are the markets and fayres you can find me at between Beltane and Solstice.

 Saturday 17th May: at the Mind Body Spirit Show at Swaffham Assembly Rooms - from 10am-4pm

Sunday 8th June: at Mind Body Spirit Event at Sheringham Community Centre - From 10am - 4pm