The name ‘Beltane’ means ‘fire of Bel’; Belinos being “one named for the Sun God.” Western European pagan traditions view this as a time of welcoming, abundance and fertility. This holiday celebrates the return of full-blown fertility, as well as marking the return of vitality and passion. As the warmer months begin, temperatures increase, the sun shines more and the plant world blossoms.
Sit down and do some basic meditation, centering yourself in the changes of the earth. Focus on themes surrounding fertility. Fertility does not only have to do with the literal sense, but can be applied to beyond the physical landscape.
Consider what is plentiful in your life at the moment: ideas, relationships, tending to the land and any other personal project.
Ideas of what is tenable come to the forefront. Planting seeds both literally or figuratively now are quickly received by the soil. How must you care for what you wish to cultivate? Recognize what is abundant in your life as well as what you feel is lacking. Consider how to care for that barren space and how it can best be tended to.
What energies do you want to welcome in to your orbit? Going back to examining what is tenable and what is not, what energies do you no longer want in your space?
Here is Dark Habits’ annual tarot spread for Beltane to help you take stock of how to tend to your needs, wants and self this spring and beyond.
1 What is plentiful in my life?
2 What projects deserve my immediate attention?
3 What projects/endeavours should I put on the back burner for now?
4 How should I care for what I want to grow?
5 What energies need to banished?
6 What energies should I welcome?