BEALTAINE, MAY DAY, AND ROODMAS

The Druids are credited with discovering the two times of year that the doorway between the worlds was open. Once for the spirits of the dead, and those that have passed from the world, and one day for the new life, the spirits of those about to be born. The Druids divided the year into two halves based on these two days: Samhain (still the name for the month of November in Irish) and Bealtaine (ditto the month of May).

These two fire festivals survive today as Halloween and May Day. The act of giving treats to ghouls on Halloween, and dancing the Maypole and giving out bouquets on May Day are surviving traditions. We celebrate Halloween at night because the Druids believed that the old day died when the sunset, and the new day was born at twilight. May Day is celebrated during the day, usually at dawn, but only because we have lost the more carnal aspect of the holiday- an Eve of sexual coupling in the fields after the great feast and celebration.

Most calendars will list tomorrow evening as Roodmas (root-mass) and Bealtaine Eve. The first of May is Bealtaine on the fixed calendar. But if you want to tap into the energy of the new spirits that are entering the world, you must wait until the sun reaches 15 degrees of Taurus.

This year, Bealtaine begins on the 5th at sunset. This is also the day of the New Moon, in a rare Taurus that is giving us two full moons in Scorpio. (The first full moon was on the 20th of April, at 1 degree of Taurus. The next will be on 19 May.) To have a new moon at Bealtaine is a dream come true for witches and those that interact with the spirit world. A tremendous amount of energy is available.

In my post on the first full moon in Scorpio I said that "This year we must sow the field in a graveyard, and first the tombs and bones must be cleared." It is a time for a whole new world. A truly new beginning. The dead have their place, but we cannot allow their bones to prevent us from planting new seeds. We must clear away the old traditions and beliefs that no longer work. They were valuable in the past. They served us well. We honour them. But now a new crop must be planted. Room must be made for new roots take hold.

Listen, listen to everything around you. The new spirits do not make as much noise as the old. The dead are loud, and they know how to make their voices heard. The spirits of new life and fertility are still young, and you must listen more carefully for them. But they are there. Everything you need is right within your grasp. Listen. Listen to your soul. Listen to the winds. Listen to the birds. Listen to the grass growing. Listen to the stars.

Listen for the heartbeat of your new life.

PRAISES, THANKS, & BLESSINGS!!!