Ever since I moved to the Midwest in the summer 1993 I have had a deep love for the changing of seasons. Born and raised in Southern California, the weather was beautiful and moderate year round and I did not really appreciate the sense of wonder that comes from fireflies lighting up the summer sky, blazing colors from fall leaves, first snow falls or how appreciated the buds of spring are after a long winter. I would say that the seasons are the basis for my gratitude practice.
The start of each the four seasons is marked by an Equinox1 or Solstice2. What the heck is the difference between the two? Well, an equinox marks two times of year when the day and night are equal hours whereas the solstice has either the most amount (summer) or least (winter) amount of daylight in a single day.
In between each of those points is called a cross quarter; days that mark the middle times, and important milestones through the year. Today marks the midpoint between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice called Beltane (a symbol of fertility), and the beginning of the planting season. You may have started to notice the days getting longer and a little bit warmer. In Southeast Wisconsin, where I live, we are seeing the first tulips, ramps, wood violets and asparagus and the urge to get outdoors increases daily!
Beltane is symbolized by the bonfire, as the Celtic word means “the fires of Bel”.
Fire was seen as a purifier and healer and would have been walked around and danced/jumped over by the members of the community. Farmers would also have driven their cattle between bonfires to cleanse and protect them before being put out into the fields.
In ancient communities, all hearth fires would have been extinguished and a new neid fire lit which would have then been used to relight people’s hearths in their own homes. In this way the community was connected to each other by the sacred fire which was central to all.3
This is the time of year when we are collecting fallen branches after winter storms and cleaning up any remnants of last years garden. The start of our garden season also begins with a bonfire as we prepare for a new season. What are you doing to celebrate the transition of seasons? Try one of these ideas ⬇️
Ways to Celebrate Beltane
Have a bonfire! The first bonfire of the season is always special, and a great way to mark the day.
If you have spring flowers blooming, pick a bouquet and place it in your house. I always love to have flowers in the Kitchen.
If you have kiddos, it is great fun to make a daisy chain crown. I know it’s early in the season, but dandelions work great too!
Until Next Time,
When the equinox occurs, as the equi- prefix might suggest, day and night are of equal length, and it marks the onset of spring (vernal equinox) and autumn (autumnal equinox). Britannica Definition
The solstice, meanwhile, marks the beginnings of summer and winter, and it’s either the longest day of the year (summer solstice) or the shortest (winter solstice).