May 02 2015, marked the Grove’s first Beltane fair, and what a fun day was had. The air was cool, but the sun came out and warmed us all. It began with friends and family gathering for a wonderful ritual, in which all in attendance both the very wee, and the not-so-wee, were invited to jump the ritual fire. Some made it over the main fire, while others leaps the small pile of ashes that accidentally made it to the ground. Even the little ones got in the act as we swung them over the fire pit. It was great to get everyone involved.
After wards two grove members had a battle of words while personifying the Seasons of Winter and Summer. Rest assured that though Winter put up quite the fight, summer proved triumphant. This was much in evidence as the day following temperatures rose to a sunny 15 degrees.
We retired indoors briefly for warm cider, and great chats, before the muchly awaited Beltain pole dance. We added a modern twist to this tradition by adding our wishes and hopes for the year to the pole, and as the dancers wrapped the pole (with much energy and laughter as they danced around) the wishes were held tightly. (At the end of the day the pole was taken and wrapped where it will be stored for a year with wished and ribbons intact)
With the formal activities all taken care of, the potluck meal was begun, and more rousing conversation. Some chose to stay by the fire and enjoy the first flames of the season, while others preferred the modern hearth and honored the kitchen party.
As the day winded down, guests and grove members alike were invited to light a candle from the fire, and take it home to rekindle the energies in their homes. All in all.. a wonderful day that will hopefully grow and be repeated.
Other activities for the Beltane minded:
Take flowers and place them above each window and door to the outside in your home to invite new life, growth, and inspiration. If you have a bramble bush on your property, place a few flowers here as well.
On the morning of Beltane turn out all the lights and put out all fires in the home, and with the candle from the ritual fire, light a candle in each room. This will bring the prosperity, fertility, and creative energies back into the home after the long winter cold.
