Monday 5 May 2008

Beltane 2008

Last year I celebrated Beltane in Portsmouth at the British Reclaiming Spring Gathering.

This year I helped create a ritual for members of my local Pagan Moot, although the invitation was also sent out on the Carmarthenshire Pagans yahoo list so that any Pagans in the Carmarthenshire area who wanted to come along could. It was held on a warm, sunny Saturday afternoon in a room on the top floor of an old pub in Carmarthen that has recently been converted by friends of mine into a really wonderful magic shop.

Here's what I wrote in my journal afterwards:
Beltane 2008
The creak and dark of a town-centre upstairs room, warm early summer light and life filtering in through shaded windows.
Altars to the five elements: silky fabric, candles, shells, stones, feathers, flowers, incense, crystals...
Stockinged feet on worn oak floorboards.
Collaborative circle casting, element calling.
Quiet visualisation, smiles.
Singing softly, weaving bracelets.
Sharing visions...
'May you never hunger, may you never thirst'.
Soft laughter together, new friendships blossom.
Reluctance to part, this quiet friendly time and space apart from the hustling bustling world is sacred, precious.
Helping hands pack away, graciously help to carry.
Hugs, kisses, thanks, see you soon!
Parting.
Going home.
Tired, happy.
I hope you all had a good Beltane too!

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Sounds like you had a good Beltane. Mine was a bit chaotic. I spent the day with hubby though so it was good.

I miss Wales. I want to get back there this summer but we will have to see.

kerrdelune said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you........ and brightest blessings too.

Reya Mellicker said...

Sounds like a marvelous Beltaine. I wish I could write poetry - that form explains a mood, a scent, the energy far better than prose. Thank you!

We, too, had a marvelous May Day - bloggers from all over the U.S., and even one from London gathered here in DC to quaff, talk, laugh, picnic and dance the maypole.

Cool post about the event (written by one of the NYC bloggers who attended) here.

Happy May!!

Pixiedust said...

What a lovely Beltane you had, it sounds wonderfull. I attended a local Pagan camp in the New Forest, which was great, helped along by fab weather.

An Gàidheal Pàganach said...

Have you considered posting at Pagan Poetry Pages - your words are inspirational.