Preparing for Beltaine for the Spring gathering of Radical faeries

[scott snedeker]

Beltaine, May1 2009, falls on a Friday this year. Already members of my love circle are calling with preparations for reuniting on the Mountain.

My heart is free-er than it has ever been. I gets bouts of joyous vertigo anticipating loving all of them on the mountain. Adrain is returning with us. Neptune and Petshop too!

Beltane is a joyful festival of growth and fecundity that heralds the arrival of summer. It is the festival of the 'Good Fire' or 'Bel-fire', named after the solar deity Bel. Bel was also known as Beli or Bile in Ireland, with Bile meaning 'tree', so Beltane may also mean 'Tree-fire'.

Lighting fires is customary at Beltane. A Beltane fire is composed of the nine sacred woods of the Celts. All hearth fires will be extinguished on Beltane Eve and then kindled again from the sacred "need fires" lit on Beltane. People would leap through the smoke and flames of Beltane fires for prosperity and protection.

Beltane marks the union of the two deities, bringing new life to the earth. It is a traditional time for Handfastings (marriages), and a time for couples to make love outside to bless the crops and the earth. Maypoles will be danced around to bring fertility and good fortune. Beltane lore also includes washing in May-day dew for beauty and health, and scrying in sacred waters, such as ponds or springs.


Beltane is a time to devote energy to growth and integration. It is a time of celebration, exuberance and hope, when we should enjoy and appreciate the gifts of nature.

[Rick336]

Well that sure sounds like a lot of fun to me. If fact, it sounds a lot like a gay campground I go to in the Georgia woods every summer, minus the maypoles and crop blessing. We stand around huge bond fires and do jello shots and drink lots of beer.

Same idea, different ceremony.


Rick

[scott snedeker]

Lumberjacks or River's edge?

[Rick336]

Lumberjacks or River's edge?

River's Edge.


Rick

[scott snedeker]

Been there! Pan definitely Rules that forest! Plenty of bears too!

[labguy22]

Hey Ash,
I just subscribed to the Celtic Myth Podshow and listened to the episode on Beltane. Here's the link, it is episode SP01 (between 07 & 08).
http://celticmythpodshow.com/episodes/

Very entertaining and informative. I am looking forward to listening to the other special episodes for Mid-Summer, Lughnasadh, Samhain and others.

[Unmasked]

Shoot, the only part I knew about was sex in the woods...or maybe that was the only bit that made it into my ears. I tend to focus on things like that, because I am a little deviant.

[scott snedeker]

But who or what is leading you ? you own nature! you are not deviating! you are reconnecting!

[antiochian]

Traditionally, weren't the people making love supposed to be covered with mud? Shame on me and my dirty mind. :rainbow:

[scott snedeker]

I have seen that in pictures of other faerie gatherings. You might see it this gathering!!!!!

[Unmasked]

I actually hold the term deviant as a title of honor. I adopt it proudly as a rejection of traditionalism.

Will the maypole dancing be skyclad?

[scott snedeker]

Many will be skyclad (Nekkedy!) But most will have the most OUtrageous costumes! Can't wait!!!

[Unmasked]

I want to come and wear nothing but glitter paint. Then I will be a skyclad sparkle faerie!

[scott snedeker]

Glitter paint is soooper Faaabulous! Did that one two years ago! was a big hit and got my laid all over the place!

[Daniel]

Us city boys need to get out more. Too often we are stuck in our heads, turing into medusa-like queens, harping about the latest diva performing Norma!

A little rolling around naked, caked- with mud- having a grand old time- would break the spell of citified calcification.

I raise my glass to Beltaine! And throw another log on the fire of my heart.

[scott snedeker]

Why Don'cha come down?

[Daniel]

Very tempting thought. And you know what Oscar Wilde remarked: the only way to deal with temptation is to give in to it!

[Unmasked]

It's way to cold to get naked ever here. We shower in sweaters because Michigan is always frozen.

I kid, but it is still frigid.

[Zerbie]

OMG I must never live in Michigan. I would NEVER bathe (except perhaps in July?)

Over here, I was working outside in a sleeveless tank and capris the other day, and feeling irritated that the sun was so hot. Wishing it would be a little cooler, since this is the only time of year we don't have to worry about heat.
It's been in the high 70s, and I wish it would be a little cooler in January.

[christa08]

OMG I must never live in Michigan. I would NEVER bathe (except perhaps in July?)

Over here, I was working outside in a sleeveless tank and capris the other day, and feeling irritated that the sun was so hot. Wishing it would be a little cooler, since this is the only time of year we don't have to worry about heat.
It's been in the high 70s, and I wish it would be a little cooler in January.

You should take a little trip up north to Colorado ;D the weather has been unusually warm for winter but it's still nice and cool.

[Alecto]

I've just decided I've only got one more Buffalo winter in me. ::jealousy glare at Zerbie::