How To Hold a Beltane Bonfire Rite (Group Ceremony)
Beltane
By Lady Walking Turtle © 2007
I have used this ritual several times, and it has always proved to be a powerful one for myself and my students. The colors I associate with Beltane are those of red and green, but you may augment to whatever works for you. Blend your ritual as you do your life; with passion, compassion, and creativity.
The sun is 15 degrees Taurus. It is appropriate that Earth energy is predominate at this point in the turning of the Wheel of Life, as this is a period of fertility awaiting the spark that will propel new growth forward. Colors of the season will merge and create marriages of light and dark which will be the reflections of the future.
This ritual may be performed at any hour of the day desired, as the color white leads the ceremony, which is the presence of all vibration and will not need any specific astrological correspondence to proceed. Red and Green are but two colors which will be honored this month, and will represent the polarity that creates the state of reception and productiveness for future development. They represent the states of Union, impending birth, new beginnings…and the process that guarantees continuation.
Altar: A single red rose on a green stalk with leaves will suffice as natural representation of our colors, or a green bowl of rose petals or confetti. You may be creative however, and explore the abundant selection nature has offered in these complimentary colors. One representation of the color Red (Mars symbol, apple, etc.), and one of the color Green (Venus symbol, green plant, etc.); continue the color repetition throughout the altar decor. There should be a need fire today. Either the cauldron with a candle (Red candle with green leaves surrounding it perhaps), or a green candle with red petals or colored sand surrounding. Appropriate cakes and ale could mimic the two; example: red juice or wine and sugar cookies sprinkled in green/cut up apple and green Kool Aid…is creative here too. A sample of green and red music, or a combination of the two; example: The Planets by Holst (Venus and Mars selections).
*Should you wish to honor your home and hearth guardian, include a representation and an offering for this also.
Preparing the Area and the Participants: After creating sacred space, the area may be strewn with red and green confetti or red petals and green leaves…any representation of the colors above. Request that the participants include some red and green in their attire or adornments today.
The participants may be censed with a bundle of sage tied with red ribbon. Anointing oil may be any reflection/association of the greens or reds. I.e.: cinnamon, sage, mint, etc.
Altar Devotion: The altar devotion may be done as usual; the HPS or person performing may visualize the colors stirring at the directions as such: Green at the East (Yellow/East and Blue/West will form green), and Red at the South, Green again at the West (Blue/West plus Yellow/East equal Green), and Red again at the North. The colors will then be ‘laid’ upon the altar.
Circle Casting: Again, this is a canvas which will be constructed and painted at the same time; each participant will be involved in the visualization and creation of energy. The first pass will be with the color of White, which is the presence of all…the second in red, and the third in green. The members may visualize Green leaves floating from North to East, the clouds of a Red sunrise from East to South, the flames of the need fire from South to West, and the flowing waters of change from West to North…as the circle is cast.
“Oh Circle of Power; resonate with energy this hour…
Bring forth the source of the key, and the secrets of color.
Arise now the foundation, which begins with the sun…
From the light that is White, the vibrations have begun.
“Oh Circle of Power; resonate with energy this hour…
Bring forth the source of the key, and the secrets of color.
Arise now the connection of substance, and the hue which will lend…
The colors between the Earth and the sunset, send us now the Red.
“Oh Circle of Power; resonate with energy this hour…
Bring forth the source of the key, and the secrets of color.
Arise now the beams and the hues which are keen…
From the orb which is living, free the vibrations of Green!
As above me stir the pigments…
As below me blend the filaments!
This Circle of Colors is now cast!”
Quarter Calls: The quarters will be called in color, with the same associations as were the directions during the Altar Devotion; Red for North and South, and Green for East and West. The Quarter South may be ‘opened’, and the visualization of a Sunrise entering may occur here…
“To the Guardians of the North, and the Element of Earth…
Send for the energies of the constant, and the colors of turf.
To the land of the stone, and the paths that are tread…
I welcome the change, and the growth of the Red.
To the Guardians of the East and the Element of Air…
Send forth the energies of the free, and the colors of the faire.
To the land of the key, and might of the keen…
I welcome the change, and the light of the Green.
To the Guardians of the South, and the Element of Fire…
Send forth the energies of passion, and the color of desire.
To the land of our oaths, and where nourishment is fed…
I welcome the change, and the heat of the Red.
To the Guardians of the West and the Element of Water…
Send forth the energies of change, and the color we have seen.
To the land of transformation and the way which will free…
I welcome the change, and the balance of the Green.”
Draw Down the Moon
Invocation of Compliments: Red is the Yang; the colors of union, birth, rebirth, passion, creativity and action. Green is the Yin; that of new growth and new beginnings, and which will complement perfecting the energies of the Red.
“May the energies of the Red and the Green…
Compliment the vibrations that are now gleaned.
By the force of the Red, and the balance of the Green…
Bring fruition by this union, and energies now foreseen!”
Purpose of the Ritual Today: To attune ourselves the opposing but unified energies of the colors of Red and Green. To understand the necessary of light and dark, yin and yang, receiving and production; and that even what you do not see still vibrates with the energies of creation.
Opening of Colors Red and Green:
“Mighty Mother of Light, where all color lives…
We celebrate the gifts of your vibration, and the white of the Light.
May our love color others, and the energies hive…
That both our hearts and spirits will be free to take flight!
“Mighty Father of all that makes shadow and shade…
Continue our journey on this path where the color is now laid.
May our gifts and our courage never dwindle or fade...
Knowing that we are the reasons that magick is made!”
Light the Need Fire
Proceed to the Meditation of ‘Coming Colors’
You may light your favorite incense, or use your essential oils to evoke your best state of meditation.
Note: This is a personal meditation for each of you, it may be ‘guided’ as far as the initial process…but is truly about getting in touch with your own energies of color this Spring…
Do not force your thoughts. Ponder your feelings.
When you are finished, proceed to the next step…
Honor Home/Hearth Guardian here…it may be as simple as the group lighting a Green and Red candle to absorb/reflect their energies here in love and in thanks. A moment of silent prayer offering would be appropriate.
Consecration of Cake and Ale: Per usual method; visualizing the colors of Red and Green coming together to fuse into the perfection of white upon culmination of The Symbolic Great Rite.
Communion:
“From the Green of the Vine, comes the Red of the Wine…
Vibrations in harmony, love grown with time.”
May you never thirst…
“From the Red of the sun comes the grain of the cakes…
The passion of action grows both the food and the fate.”
May you never hunger…
Benediction of Color
“It seemed that from darkness, there burst forth the light…
But in a wheel of color, moving with purpose and sight.
From the void came the Reds, and then returned to the light…
Now the Gold touches my senses, virile with might.
Between the four chapters, enfolded softly and tight…
Existed three sets I will keep in my memory tonight.
No one visual vibration is elevated above the other in might…
They are the ingredients of the One…which is the All Light.
Mighty Mother of Light, where all color lives…
We accept now your gifts, and give thanks for the light.
May it now color others and this energy hive…
That both the heart and the spirit will be free to take flight!
Mighty Father of all that makes shadow and shade…
Continue our journey on this path which is laid.
May our strength and our courage never dwindle or fade…
Knowing that we are the reason that magick is made!”
Thank Deity (spontaneous response; you are now infused with the colors of Creation…)
Dismiss the Quarters: Reverse the Callings above, and bid a spontaneous and heartfelt thanks to the South. It would be appropriate to give any special thanks to the quarter /colors as you do.
Close the Circle: Reverse the Circle casting above, and add your traditional closings…think Green and Red as you do! Let Color vibrate as you go forth to color the season.
Hugs
Offering of Libation to the Woods and Elements
Feast
*Don’t forget the critter altar outside after you make your libation offering…they could use a little extra color infusion too!
Blessed Be
