Beltane, the Celtic May Day In the Northern Hemisphere, Beltane, the Celtic May Day, is observed on May 1st. But...
Beltane, the Celtic May Day
In the Northern Hemisphere, Beltane, the Celtic May Day, is observed on May 1st. But since Beltane is really a cross-quarter date, the actual date varies from year to year. In 2025, we celebrate Beltane on May 5th.
It’s a season of fertility and fire, when young and old celebrate sexuality, romance, fun, and the abundance of the fertile earth. The Earth Mother opens herself to the Fertility God, creating healthy crops, beautiful flowers, and new life all around.
We celebrate in many ways — dancing around the maypole, purification bonfires, handfasting, planting ceremonies, performing rituals, spellwork, and goddess worship. 
Beltane is deeply rooted in the spirit world, and it’s been said that it’s much easier to contact spirits and gods during this time. This is the perfect time of year to cast spells and perform rituals for abundance in your life and career, a stronger commitment, and more passion in your relationship with magick that can only be found in gardens and nature.
Trees for rituals & spellwork:
The Hawthorn tree traditionally blooms at the end of April or beginning of May. It’s often considered a highly magickal tree — associated with fertility and sexuality. You place the thorns under your pillow or mattress if you’d like to conceive a child.
The Rowan tree is connected with the Fae, who are said to be very active during Beltane. To keep the Fae from becoming meddlesome, place Rowan branches around your doors and windows. You can also create a traditional Scottish charm by making an X out of two Rowan twigs, and wrapping them together with red thread where they intersect. This traditional Scottish charm was said to protect the person carrying it, as well as those around them.
Spring flowers:
There are several spring flowers that can be used for Beltane rituals and spellwork. Crocus is one of the first flowers to be seen in the spring. It’s often linked with newly blooming love, and is known to enrich visions and produce intuitive dreams. Tulips can be used for attracting prosperity. The leaf of a violet can be sewn into a pillow or sachet for protection from evil, and the dandelion’s leaf is used for healing, purification, and ritual cleansing. You can plant dandelions in the northwest corner of your property to attract positive change. For divination, or to place in a sachet to draw good energy your way, the bright yellow flowers are best.
Beltane Correspondences:
Low Energy Beltane Activities:
- light some candles in honor of the light and warmth coming back
- burn floral incense sticks
- sprinkle native wild flower seeds
- watch the sunset
- admire new flowers & tree buds blooming
- have a Beltane bath
- bake a loaf of cheese/herb bread
- spend some time outdoors
- decorate a tree or bush with ribbons
- do a meditation with carnelian
- listen to singing & chanting music
Beltane Invocation to the Goddesses:
This is a beautiful time to honor the Goddesses within and around you. Start by creating a Goddess alter by placing an offering of flowers, fruits, and anything that represents fertility, sexuality, and the Goddess. Then, say this or any other prayer or chant that comes from your heart to honor the sacred feminine gifts of Beltane:
“Dear Artemis, make my aim clear and true, let me run free and wild like you.
Dear Isis, help me heal my deepest wounds and create my life anew.
Dear Aphrodite, let me embrace my body as my temple, and enjoy life’s sweetest pleasures.
Dear Rhiannon, let me awaken my magick and wisdom, that I may be the queen of my kingdom.
Dear Shakti, awaken your primal power within me, and rise in pleasure within and through me.
Dear Hera, bless me in sacred union.
Dear Flora, crown me with a garland of flowers, and bless me with beauty in all hours.
Dear Freya, help me know that it is safe and right for me to be lavished and ravished.
Dear Xochiquetzal, help me conceive, nurture, and birth every dream within my heart.”
Be magickal, y’all!