About Beltaine
The Festival of Fire
Beltaine is one of the four Greater Sabbats. These Sabbats fall between the Solstices and Equinoxes. Of the four, Samhain (Halloween) and Beltaine (May Day) are considered the most important. These are the times when the veil between the physical and spirit worlds is the thinnest.
The name Beltaine is derived from the Irish, Beltienne, or Bel’s Fire. Bel, a Celtic Fire God, is called upon to bless the herds and people with fertility for the coming year. Animals are herded through two bonfires. People make their wishes for fertility then either follow the animals or jump over Bel’s Fire.
In the Myth of the Wheel of the Year, we follow the changing relationship of the Goddess and God from season to season. At Beltaine, they mate to help make the Earth fertile. Every man and woman contains the essence of both God and Goddess, and out Sacred Charge states, “Al acts of love and pleasure are my rituals!” The primary purpose of this ritual is fertility: fertility for crops, livestock, people, and of the creative mind. A child of the loins or a child of the mind, either one conceived on Beltaine is a Child of the Gods and is Blessed!
The Maypole
The Maypole symbolizes the phallus of the God. The hole it is planted in represents the womb of the Goddess. With red (blood) and white (semen) robbons adorning the Maypole, the entire ritual of the Maypole and the dance around it takes on a powerful meaning. Use this dance to raise fertile energy.
Because this is a fertility festival, when preparing for the main ritual of the Maypole Dance, women prepare the hole and men prepare the tree. We ask that you join these festivities as the gender group you identify with and experience this portion of the Mysteries. Men are charged with finding a tree willing to sacrifice itself, felling it, and decorating it. You will learn more of the Mysteries by attending the Men’s Mystery Rites. Women are charged with preparing the hole, gathering items, and beautifying it. You will learn about this process at the Women’s Mystery Rites.
It is suggested that everyone bring at least three small gifts of your choice to Beltaine:
-
- A sacrifice or petition to place into the Goddess’ womb representing your wish or the “child” you wish to conceive this year. Make sure that this is something biodegradable (no plastic)!
- A gift for the May Queen, representative of the Goddess.
- A gift for the May King, representative of the God.
Your gifts may be as small or large as your Inner-Self instructs you to bring. Do what feels right!
The May Queen & King
Think you want to be May Queen or King?
For those of you who are considering going out for May Queen or King, we want to be sure you understand what it means. The May Queen is chosen by the Goddess. It can be a powerful experience, both to witness and to be chosen. We use a lottery to determine the Goddess’ wishes. Each May Queen decides how her lottery will proceed. Once a May Queen is chosen, she may pick her King in whatever fashion she chooses. She may simply call his name or kiss all the willing contenders to decide. She can offer a challenge, a race, or a song contest. The method is limited only by her imagination!
Once chosen and the May Pole has been danced, the Queen is taken away by the women and the King is taken away by the men. They each go to a private area dedicated to them both (the Queen’s Temple and the King’s Temple, respectively). They are pampered, instructed by the Elders, and dressed for presentation to the community.
The Queen and King are then expected to retire to the beautiful Tantric Temple to complete the fertility rites in private, consummating their union. To shirk this role and responsibility, by not culminating the union of the Queen and King with physical love, would be a sacrilege and could bring bad luck to the community. It is taken very seriously. So, please be in the right frame of mind if approaching the May Queen’s throne is your desire. You may just get what you wish for!
Who is eligible?
The May Queen is traditionally a Maiden. A Maiden is a youthful woman under the age of 35. This is an ideal and it is not required that the May Queen be a Maiden. We will not keep those older than 35 from participating if they feel the desire to try for the lottery. She may or may not be married. She may or may not have children. However, the May Queen represents spring, fertility, youth, fecundity, and should be full of this type of energy. Please meditate on these requirements before you step forward. The May Queen must be 18 or older.
The May King may be of any age, 18 and over. He must be willing to participate in the Sacred Marriage in the Tantric Temple with the May Queen.
What are the responsibilities?
Both the May Queen and King are responsible for blessing each campsite and attendee, and for consummating the Sacred Marriage at least once during the Festival Weekend. It is mandatory that this year’s May Queen and King agree to help plan and conduct next year’s Beltaine in the Grove Festival, and impart the knowledge they gain through the coming year to next year’s May Queen and King.
After Beltaine, they will be requested to attend any Sabbat or ritual function of the community to which they are invited whenever possible. As May Queen and King, they are ambassadors of the community at large. To mark this station, the May Queen is given a crown and a cup for the extent of her reign. She will then pass these items down to the next Queen. The May King has items he will pass down as well. He is given a sacred staff and a crown.
The May Queen and King will be the ‘Hosts’ of the Festival until the new May Queen is chosen! Once this happens, both the Old May Queen and King relinquish their roles and return to the community as a ‘regular’ member. Spiral Grove Coven will help guide the new Queen and King and assist in getting all the preparations done.
When the May Queen passes down her crown, she and her consort will always be regarded with respect for having been chosen by the Gods. Every May Queen or King we have met has said that their reign brought many changes, most of them good. The Universe opens to the chosen ones in mysterious ways which can only be experienced by the May Queen and King.
May Queens & Kings of Years’ Past
Queen Chisuzu & King Dark Wolf
2024 – 2025
Queen Alicia & King Those Who Know Him as Tim
2023 – 2024
Queen Sinead & King Rob
2022 – 2023
Queen Aurora & King Yorick
2021 – 2022
Queen Coyote & King Daen
2019 – 2021
Queen Remy & King Janani
2018 – 2019
Queen Jade & King Baon
2017 – 2018
Queen Celi & King Caldazar
2016 – 2017
Queen Gwyn & King Mac
2015 – 2016
Queen Dominique & King Mike
2014 – 2015
Queen Nymeth & King Dreygan
2013 – 2014
Queen Lily & King George
2012 – 2013
Queen Seanachai & King Bob-o
2010 – 2012
Queen Ursula & King Chris
2008 – 2010
Queen Heidi & King FuLoRi
2007 – 2008