Confessions Of A Kitchen Witch shared Witches Learning Center'sphoto.
Beltane was a time of fertility and unbridled merrymaking, when young and old would spend the night making love in the Greenwood. Older married couples were allowed to remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one night.
Women traditionally would braid flowers into their hair. Men and women alike would decorate their bodies. They would process back home, stopping at each house to leave flowers, and enjoy the best of food and drink that the home had to offer.
In every village, the maypole, usually a birch or ash pole was raised, and dancing and feasting began. Many communities elected a virgin as their "May Queen" to lead marches or songs. To the Celts, she represented the virgin goddess on the eve of her transition from Maiden to Mother. Depending on the time and place, the consort might be named "Jack-in-the-Green", "Green Man", "May Groom", or "May King". The union of the Queen and her consort symbolized the fertility and rebirth of the world.
This is the Love Dance of the Gods, the Wedding of Heaven and Earth, the Bridal feast of the Goddess! It is customary that Handfastings, for a year and a day, occur at this time. These are trial marriages that typically occur between couples before deciding to embark on life eternal. It was understood by our ancestors that one does not really know another until they live with them, and things change. With this understanding, unions were entered upon, first with a test period, and then a further commitment. It was kept in mind that only through the choice of both to remain, could the relationship exist. We come together today to celebrate the union of our Lady and Lord.
Blessed be!
Excerpted from: Beltane Celebration 2012 by Wiccans of the Crossroads, NYC.
Image: Artist unknown, found on http://
Women traditionally would braid flowers into their hair. Men and women alike would decorate their bodies. They would process back home, stopping at each house to leave flowers, and enjoy the best of food and drink that the home had to offer.
In every village, the maypole, usually a birch or ash pole was raised, and dancing and feasting began. Many communities elected a virgin as their "May Queen" to lead marches or songs. To the Celts, she represented the virgin goddess on the eve of her transition from Maiden to Mother. Depending on the time and place, the consort might be named "Jack-in-the-Green", "Green Man", "May Groom", or "May King". The union of the Queen and her consort symbolized the fertility and rebirth of the world.
This is the Love Dance of the Gods, the Wedding of Heaven and Earth, the Bridal feast of the Goddess! It is customary that Handfastings, for a year and a day, occur at this time. These are trial marriages that typically occur between couples before deciding to embark on life eternal. It was understood by our ancestors that one does not really know another until they live with them, and things change. With this understanding, unions were entered upon, first with a test period, and then a further commitment. It was kept in mind that only through the choice of both to remain, could the relationship exist. We come together today to celebrate the union of our Lady and Lord.
Blessed be!
Excerpted from: Beltane Celebration 2012 by Wiccans of the Crossroads, NYC.
Image: Artist unknown, found on http://
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