May Flowers - Lighting the Beltane Fires
And suggestions for your own La Fete de Muguet..
Today is May 1st ….we call it Beltane, May Day and in France, La Fete de Muguet! Its time to light the fires and begin the fabulous dancing that will be done around this circle through a series of posts that I’m calling simply , “May Flowers!” Be sure to check back regularly this month to see how we’re weaving our enchanting May magic!
Beltane or Beltaine as the Irish speak of it is a lusty and passionate holiday full of surprises and all kinds of wonderful. None of us know what Mother Earth has in store for us today, but I can promise you that if you are open to her magic you will enjoy every minute of it. Do be careful though…lots of sweet little babies are conceived today. That’s my only warning, but you'd be wise to heed it....not that you'll really be able to control the outcome.
Trust me she will always have her way!
I first became aware of the importance of the Beltane fires in my life through a dream that I had many years ago. I awoke one morning in the arms of my husband and he looked at me in surprise and asked me about the fires. “What fires “ I said… and then I remembered. In my dream we had been standing together in a place that seemed to be a castle of sorts. I was wearing some sort of night dress and he had come up behind me. I knew that it was him in the way that time and place meld together in the dream state , but he was blond with longer hair that was flowing back in the wind. He looked at me with the same deep blue eyes that he has now with a gaze that at that moment transcended lifetimes and said “they are lighting the fires in the fields…he wants the fires gone, he is sending them”.
All I remember is the night falling and hearing the passion and sighs from the fields beyond. I remember saying “Tell him that I said that he WILL allow the fires to burn” and shortly after that I remember falling into his arms and wandering out towards the pastures. I woke up from that dream in a cold sweat. I knew that the mysterious “he” was someone of the church, who was trying to destroy my beloved “old ways”. I knew then that I’d known my husband in some other time or place where we’d been bound together by a spirituality that had its roots planted deep within the earth. I promised myself at that moment that for as long as it was in my power, the fires would never be allowed to go out and almost every year, we have a bonfire to celebrate.
May Day is the turn of the wheel in the Celtic year that we celebrate love and fertility, passion and life in all of its forms. Lambs and calves are born, trees are blooming, flowers and wild potherbs are appearing all over the fields and forests as if by magic. The honeybees have reappeared and are busy making love to the blossoms so that we can find our trees filled with ripe fruits come fall. We till our gardens and plant the seed that we’ve saved from last years harvest and we take long walks outside, grateful that the sun has finally come again and brought with it a deep rich warmth.
You needn’t go too far back into your imagination to see that centuries ago, these simple things would have appeared to be so magical to our ancestors. There is such simple wonderment that comes from enjoying a life that follows the seasons simply and passionately. For me, this time of year is marked by so many things that I look forward to , knowing that they will not pass through my life again until the wheel comes full circle again. The beautiful fragrant violets, the precious lilacs and vibernums…wild ramps with their deep oniony flavor and fiddlehead ferns.
Of course there’s fresh asparagus! I can’t think of anything more wonderful than a meal of fresh asparagus and a silky béarnaise sauce, but only in May. Now with faster transport methods we can get so many different foods during times of the year when they don’t make any sense….Asparagus in September? Cherries in December? Fresh young lamb in January? I am one who still follows the R month rules for eating raw oysters, because that just makes good sense when thinking about bacteria AND I really dislike watery oysters. Eating them in September just makes me happy.
Living as locally as possible and respecting the seasons and the presents that each one brings to us is not only a healthy way to eat, but a holistic way to live and when we are in touch with the earth’s rhythms it leads straight into the pathway of our souls.
For me one of the greatest joys of the month of May has always been the flowers that bloom in my parents gardens. So many of them like the asparagus and the wild forest herbs only come time each year and their fragrance is fleeting and beautiful. I think that if I could have them all year round it would be a disappointment to me, because the yearning is almost every bit as wonderful as the reality. Crabapple trees and their fragrant blooms can only come in May, but their fruits are August’s treasures. The old fashioned roses that bloom so abundantly produce generous rosehips for my tea in September. I live for the days that I am so present in this life that I know that everything and every season has its purpose and none are more precious than the other.
The joy that spring brings is the renewal of life and passion. We do well to remember to make love and give love generously on this day. Gifts of flowers and bright May Baskets are traditional and gifts of passion are perfect. Grab your lover and dance....the possibilities are endless and I’ll leave it up to you to choose.
The lily of the valley, with its bell-shaped blooms and intoxicating fragrance, has woven its way into the fabric of various traditions. It holds a special place in celebrations of spring and renewal, particularly during "La Fête du Muguet" in France every May 1st. On this day, the air in quaint French villages fills with the sweet scent of these flowers, believed to bring luck and joy.
The allure of lily of the valley in perfumery lies in its unique ability to convey a sense of new beginnings and the clean slate provided by spring. This has made it a popular choice not only for personal fragrances but also in aromatherapy and scented products around the home. Diorissimo, a classic perfume with its faithful and elegant representation of lily of the valley's natural fragrance, continues to be a testament to the flower’s enduring appeal, capturing the hearts of fragrance lovers around the world. It is my very favorite perfume and every May 1st I practically bathe in it.
In the world of perfumery, the scent of lily of the valley often evokes a nostalgic feeling, whisking people away to a serene, spring morning where dew-kissed flowers bloom with vigor. It is a cornerstone for many floral arrangements in perfumes, often blended with other notes like jasmine, rose, and sandalwood to enhance its presence and complexity. The legacy of Diorissimo and other lily of the valley perfumes continues to influence modern fragrances, ensuring that the enchanting story of this small but mighty flower lives on in the olfactory memories of its admirers.
My parents grew many beautiful flowers in their gardens but none were more precious to me than the beautiful patch of lilies of the valley that grew back behind the terrace in a secret place that few knew about. Every year on the 1st of May I’d run into the back and there they would be pure little bells of white with strong green leaves just begging me to bury my face into the ground and inhale their sweet green scent.
In the British Isles, lily of the valley is a herald of May Day, symbolizing new beginnings. It is tradition to gather these flowers to decorate homes or gift to loved ones.
Beltane aligns closely with the spirit of renewal and rebirth—a theme that resonates through the delicate blossoms of the lily of the valley. As these traditions intertwine, the lily becomes a bridge between the worlds, connecting the enchanting fires of Beltane with the delicate floral bouquets of "La Fête du Muguet" and British May Day celebrations.
This convergence of traditions highlights how cultures across time have revered the lily of the valley not just for its beauty and fragrance but as a powerful symbol of life’s renewal. The fairytale-like ringing of the lilies, as imagined in the cherished children’s round, “White Coral Bells”, reflects the mystical spirit of Beltane, where it is said that the veil between worlds is thin, allowing us to hear the fairies sing. In these moments, as I share the timeless song and the sight of blooming lilies with my grandson, Wolfie, we are participating in a cycle of renewal that has been celebrated for centuries.
Life is truly sweet as the fiery circle completes once more. Today, as we reignite our Beltane fires with intentions of creativity, passion, and fertility, let us indulge in the pleasures of the season. Above all remember to be glad...very glad to be alive. Life is juicy, fragrant and sometimes bittersweet. Life is also all about taking risks with your passions. Today is the perfect day to pursue a closely held dream…
Keep a touch of magic and mystery close, a life is ripe with possibility—embrace it!
Today is the day that we light our fires once again with the intent to create life, celebrate our passion and ensure the fertile harvest not only of our fields , but of our souls. Feed each other juicy fruits and luscious things and make love with abandon, spend time in the fields, wander into the wilderness of your hearts and get lost there for more than a little while. Keep a little magic with you always and more than a touch of mystery. Be a little naughty and enjoy your wildness. But heed my warning, because the Goddess will ALWAYS have her way……..
Blessed Be.
Creating a personal May Day ritual that honors the spirit of Beltane can be a beautiful way to celebrate the blossoming of spring and the warmth of the coming summer. Here's a suggested ritual that blends tradition with personal reflection and celebration:
You will need:
Fresh flowers (lilies of the valley, if available, for their connection to May Day)
Red and white ribbons or fabric strips
Small bells
A green candle (for growth and renewal)
A fire-safe container or a small outdoor fire pit
Natural elements for an offering (such as herbs, grains, or fruits)
A journal and pen
Seasonal music or instruments (optional for atmosphere)
Setting Up Your Space:
Choose a quiet spot in nature, ideally near natural water or under a blossoming tree. Set up a small altar using a flat stone or a table covered with a natural fabric. Arrange the flowers, candle, and other materials on your altar.
Ritual Steps:
Purification and Grounding:
Begin by grounding yourself. Stand barefoot on the earth, breathe deeply, and visualize roots growing from your feet deep into the ground.
Light the green candle to symbolize the fire of Beltane and the renewal of life.
Walk around your space, ringing the small bells to clear the area of negative energy and to welcome the fairies traditionally honored during Beltane.
Creating the Maypole (or a Miniature Version):
If possible, erect a small Maypole in your yard. Alternatively, use a large branch placed in a pot.
Tie your red and white ribbons at the top of your Maypole or branch. As you weave and braid the ribbons around the pole or branch, focus on weaving your dreams and intentions for the coming months.
While braiding, chant or hum to fill your activity with positive energy and intentions.
Offering to the Earth:
Place your offerings of herbs, grains, or fruits in a bowl on your altar or at the base of your Maypole.
As you lay each offering down, speak out loud your gratitude for the earth’s abundance and your hopes for the season. This can be a moment of personal reflection on the growth and change you wish to see in your own life.
Fire Ritual:
Safely light a small fire in your fire pit or fire-safe container. Fire is a central element of Beltane, symbolizing light and purification.
Write down aspects of your life that you wish to transform or release on a piece of paper. Carefully place the paper into the fire, visualizing these changes occurring as the paper burns.
Closing and Feasting:
Close your ritual by blowing out the candle and thanking the natural elements around you—earth, air, fire, water—for their presence.
Celebrate with a festive meal. Include seasonal foods like dairy, oats, and early spring vegetables. This feast marks the end of your ritual and a joyful acknowledgment of Beltane and May Day’s themes of fertility, renewal, and joy.
Reflection:
After your ritual, spend some time writing in your journal. Reflect on your experiences during the ritual, the thoughts and feelings that arose, and any intentions you set.
This ritual allows for a personal and intimate celebration of May Day and Beltane, connecting you to the cycles of nature and the joyful spirit of renewal.
Fabulous tribute to spring, beautiful!