Bealtaine (also the Gaelic word for the month of May) means Bright Fire and was probably named after the God Bel, known also as Belenos whose name means “bright” or “brilliant”. He was associated with the sun and with fire; Bealtaine or Bright Fires are still lit in some parts of Ireland and Scotland.

In times gone by two fires would have been lit on a hill top as the sun set below the horizon on Bealtaine eve, there would have been music and dancing and celebration for the coming of the Goddess of spring. The cattle were driven between the fires to bring protection for their health and fertility; people also ran between the Bright Fires for similar reasons, pregnant woman would run through the fires in the hope of an easy birth.

It was a time to celebrate the fertility of the earth, the animals and the people, and these festivities often culminated in much joyful lovemaking in the woods.

At Beltaine the young Goddess who returned to us as the maiden Brighid at Imbolc now comes to Her marriage or union with the young God. In ancient times two fires were lit in honour of their sacred union and at this time all of nature, the gods and the heavens celebrate this cosmic event that brings renewed Life to Earth.

The Bealtaine ceremony honours the Goddess and the God through the symbols of water and stone. At this time heaven and earth come together in Holy Union and new Life is created.

The two fires are lit, one for the God and one for the Goddess. Now is the time to offer up all that needs to be cleansed, released and purified, to make room for everything good and new.

The elemental beings and their role in the fertility and well-being of the earth are recognised. The energy of the Rite is dedicated to the healing and renewal of the earth and all the kingdoms of nature.

As Bealtaine heralds the spring of the year, this time at the beginning of the 21st century heralds the Spring of the Age of Aquarius. The elemental beings are calling us away from our destructive lifestyles; their voices can be heard in the earthquakes, in the great floods, through storms, lightning and thunder, through fire of the sky and fire of the earth. God calls upon us to protect the stones, the waters, the trees and the animals – every part of nature.

Beltaine provides us with the opportunity to join in the cosmic celebration, to leave behind our materialistic ideas and enter once more into the creative cycle of heaven and earth.