Beltaine

Beltaine is the time of late planting and the beginning of the growing season in colder climates. For many ancient peoples, this was the beginning of their summer season, which would continue until Samhain.

For Stone Creed Grove, this marks our first ritual of the year performed in our grove’s ritual space at Tredara. This is one of our major Celtic rites, honoring the deities Aine Glas (“Green Aine”) and Aengus Og the Harper, as well as the various tribes of Sidhe-folk. Many of the customs that are typically thought of as May Day traditions, such as the maypole dance, and the honoring of erotic power, are also part of Stone Creed’s annual activities. In addition, if weather permits, we perform our rites under the sky rather than indoors, and use a live tree which is then planted near our summer ritual space.

Ritual Script

Video of a Beltaine Ritual

Photos of Past Beltaines

Home » Beltaine » Beltaine
The Maypole
The Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
The Maypole
The Maypole
The Maypole Being Tied
The Maypole Being Tied
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Carrying the Maypole
Carrying the Maypole
The Snake Dance
The Snake Dance
After the Snake Dance
After the Snake Dance
The Snake Dance
The Snake Dance
Making an offering
Making an offering
A.J.'s Ordination
A.J.'s Ordination
A.J. offering his hair
A.J. offering his hair
A.J. making ordination offerings
A.J. making ordination offerings
A.J. Preparing for Ordination
A.J. Preparing for Ordination
Offering to the Sidhe
Offering to the Sidhe
Invocation of the Sidhe
Invocation of the Sidhe
The Dressed Well
The Dressed Well
The May Queen
The May Queen
The May Queen
The May Queen
Opening the Gates
Opening the Gates
The Snake Dance
The Snake Dance
Planting the May-Rod
Planting the May-Rod
Dressing the Well
Dressing the Well
Making an offering
Making an offering
Introducing the Ritual
Introducing the Ritual
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Honoring the Hallows
Honoring the Hallows
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Processional
Processional
After the Snake Dance
After the Snake Dance
The Snake Dance
The Snake Dance
Pre-ritual Meditation
Pre-ritual Meditation
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
The Maypole
The Maypole
The Omen
The Omen
The Dressed Well
The Dressed Well
After the Snake Dance
After the Snake Dance
Blessing a Child
Blessing a Child
Blessing a Child
Blessing a Child
The Dressed Well
The Dressed Well
The May Queen
The May Queen
The May Queen
The May Queen
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Honoring the Hallows
Honoring the Hallows
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Making an offering
Opening the Gates
Opening the Gates
Processional
Processional
Dancing the Maypole
Dancing the Maypole
The Blessing
The Blessing
After the Snake Dance
After the Snake Dance
Offering to the Sidhe
Offering to the Sidhe
Making an offering
Making an offering
Well-Dressing Procession
Well-Dressing Procession
The May Queen
The May Queen
Making an offering
Making an offering
Honoring the Hallows
Honoring the Hallows
Making an offering
Making an offering
The Folk
The Folk
Drumming
Drumming
Making an offering
Making an offering
Offering to Inspiration
Offering to Inspiration
Processional
Processional
The Snake Dance
The Snake Dance
Preparing the Fires
Preparing the Fires
The Blessing
The Blessing
Making an offering
Making an offering
Offering the May Queen's Flowers
Offering the May Queen's Flowers
Offering Klutes
Offering Klutes
Offering to the Sidhe
Offering to the Sidhe
Well-Dressing Procession
Well-Dressing Procession
Well-Dressing Procession
Well-Dressing Procession
Offering Klutes
Offering Klutes
Our yearly custom of tying the clouts to the tree.
A singing praise offering
A singing praise offering
Ian and Sue making a Praise Offering.
Processional
Processional
The Procession circles around the Hallows.
Setting up
Setting up
Last minute preparations before we begin

Related Post

YuleYule

We are now in the time of winter, where snow is beginning to be upon us, but the folk are safe indoors happily enjoying the fruits of their fall harvest.

LughnassadhLughnassadh

Lughnassadh is the time of turning from the growing season to the harvest season. The heat of the summer is at its most intense, and will begin to wane throughout