Beltaine Ritual
A Ritual for Beltaine
excerpts by Shining Spirits at the UU Church of Fort Lauderdale-largely created by Margo Killoran
Call to worship:
HP: “By her sweet breath which is air,
By the fire, her spirit fair,
By water which fills her place of birth,
And by her body, our sacred Earth.
By these names, our quarters call,
May the Spirits join us all.
North and South and East and West,
All by Mother earth are blessed.
Blessed be this ritual with the gifts of the East.
Communication of the heart, mind and body
Fresh beginnings with the rising of each sun
The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.
Child of East runs down center past East and completes circle up to that element and states “I am knowledge”
Blessed be this ritual with the gifts of the South.
Warmth of the heart and home
The heat of the heart’s passion
The light created by all to lighten the darkest of times.
Child of fire runs past fire down last aisle and up the center to that element and states “I am creativity”
Blessed be this ritual with the gifts of the West
The deep commitments of the lake
The swift excitement of the river
The refreshing cleansing of the rain
The all-encompassing passion of the sea.
Child of water runs straight to that element and states “I am friendship”
Blessed be this ritual with the gifts from the North
Firm foundations on which to build
Fertility of the fields to enrich your lives
A stable home to which you may always return
Child of North runs down to that element and says “I am outdoor fun”
Remainder of children (spirits) come in from back of the sanctuary having all of the children meet at the front of sanctuary of sanctuary and all stating “we are spirit” they are encouraged to sit on the steps.
Cast circle
Childrens story then send children back into the pews with their parents.
Welcome to our annual Beltaine Celebration! I think by now, most of our congregation knows that Beltaine celebrates the re-awakening of the Earth and the rejuvenation of our energies after our long winter’s nap.
Throughout history, Beltaine has been celebrated with purification fires, fertility rituals and of course the Maypole. The Maypole represents the coming together of male and female energies, represented by the pole and the Earth into which it is placed. The May Dance is both a spiral and a circular dance – a powerful combination for raising, binding and focusing energy. Ribbons, which have always been a sacred talisman of protection, bind our wishes, hopes and desires to the pole, sending them into the Earth to be nurtured. Thus the May Dance serves to raise and replenish sacred energy, to plant the seeds of our desires, and to renew our sacred oath with God and Goddess for the coming year.
Beltaine is a traditional wedding season; and a season of connecting; coming together in a sacred way to honor what binds us – as friends, as lovers, as a community, as human. Making new connections, rekindling old ones, deepening current ones and recognizing those you didn’t even know existed!
There is a Sufi saying, “Mind speaks to mind, heart speaks to heart, and soul speaks to soul.”
Communicating with our mind is the most common way we connect with others – its utilitarian, and slippery and vague. It’s practical and protective. Our mind is a fabulous engine that can find many ways to “duck and dodge” our way through life. It protects us and denies others. It can be a great wall blocking the path to our greatness and the greatness of others.
Communication with our heart though is truthful and open. When we give of ourselves and see the God or Goddess within others, we are confirmed, unconditionally, of our worth. When we connect with someone in a heartfelt way, there is only the Divine. It’s instinctual, base, predestined.
JW Hardin writes in The Canyon Testaments, “The entire living universe is an act of communication as well as creation. We play our destined parts well when we
strive to make our entire conscious existence an act of connection and celebration, sensuality and sacrament, thanks and blessings, purpose and prayer.”
Just as today the Maypole will connect with the womb of the Earth, when we connect with others in a sacred way, magic can happen. We are lifted, rejuvenated, made whole.
So before we dance the Maypole today,
I would like you to please give your attention to the May King and Queen Richard and Stephanie who are sitting in the front of the sanctuary. Please come forth and accept your crowns and be welcomed by the congregation.
Josef will place the crown on Stephanie’s head and kiss her cheek as I will do the same for Richard.
Now let’s follow them outside to the courtyard where we will dance the maypole. Allow the quarters to exit first as they will help to create the border of the circle. Please fill in the empty spaces.
The May King and Queen will take the hands of multiple men and women to start the ribbon binding while music is being played’
Music lively enough for dancing the maypole
DISMISSAL
HPS:
Today we have connected Earth and Sky, God and Goddess, friend to friend, lover to lover, stranger to stranger. May these connections inspire and sustain you through the year. Go in Peace. Go in Love.
(Dismissing the Quarters:
HP: “Let us now dismiss the Quarters widdershens,
starting with the North:”
Spirits of the North,
We give you thanks for your presence here.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Hail and farewell.”
Spirits of the West,
We give you thanks for your presence here.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Hail and farewell.
Spirits of the South,
We give you thanks for your presence here.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Hail and farewell.”
Spirits of the East,
We give you thanks for your presence here.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
Hail and farewell.”
HPS:
“The Circle is open but unbroken,
May the Peace of the Goddess,
And the Strength of the God,
Be ever in your hearts.”
HP & HPS and all:
“Merry Meet and Merry Part, And Merry Meet Again.
Blessed be!”
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