Beltane 2009: Growth and Foolishness--but No Naked Maypole Dancing

Yeah, the neighbors might frown on that naked dancing bit. But you don't have to have the maypole to enjoy a meaningful May Day celebration. We're halfway to summer (and I can't wait!), and as nature bursts forth with new growth, so we are reminded to take stock of our own lives.

To symbolize Beltane and growth, my altar contained a variety of flowers, a blackberry branch, a mayapple (or "witch's umbrella") and a photo of a monarch butterfly taken by a friend. I haven't seen any monarchs yet but they'll soon emerge from their cocoons. The 2 candles symbolize the Green Man and the May Queen, traditional images for fertility and growth.

To help myself get into the mood of springtime frolicking and revelry, I read an excerpt from a Rudyard Kipling poem that I like, "A Tree Song." You've probably seen it before:

"Oh, do not tell the priest our plight,
Or he would call it a sin;
But we have been out in the woods all night,
A-conjuring summer in!"

Next I wrote down 4 areas of my life in which I'd like more growth: growth in my writing, growth in creative expression, growth in my commitment to the Earth and growing deeper roots in my spiritual life. To add a little luck, I "washed in the morning dew." Actually, I used the small bowl of water on my altar, dipped in my fingers and symbolically "washed" my face. It's one tradition said to bring luck, health or beauty.

Because of its agricultural roots, Beltane is associated with fire, when people would purify the land to cleanse it, ensure fertility and ward off evil spirits. With the same intent, I then burnt the paper containing my goals for growth. To make sure I had the spirits' attention--and to add a little music to the occasion--I shook a rattle for good measure.

Occurring opposite Samhain/Halloween, Beltane is also associated with mischief and was traditionally a time when people were allowed a reprieve from acting so respectable. With that in mind, I mediated on the Court Jester. The meditation encourages us all to not to take everything so seriously--not even Beltane rituals. I so need more of this in my life. To create a little chaos, more surprises, to defy expectations and refuse to acquiesce to our dominant culture. In the end, most things we worry about are unimportant, and we could all use more laughter and levity.

Which means, next year I totally need to do the naked maypole dance!