Beltane

Thursday 2^nd May 2002

Tocil Meadow

Beltane is the Pagan fertility festival, and marks the beginning of summer.  It is traditionally a time of fun and frolics, and the celebration outlined here tries to reflect that.

Non-Pagans are especially encouraged to come along - for the sheer fun of it if nothing else.  It is not at all a sombre occasion - quite the opposite - nor is it full of mythology, longwinded speeches or silly dressing up in robes (or being naked, unless you really want to!).  It's just a fun evening, to which everyone is welcome!

Things to Bring Along

All you really need to bring is yourself (dressed for the weather - we will be outside for some time).

If you can, the following would also be appreciated:

• Food to share (e.g. cakes, biscuits, fruit)

• Drink to share (e.g. mead, beer, wine, lemonade)

• A musical instrument and the skill to play it

• Any stories, songs, poems, jokes or other light entertainments you might have

• A plastic bag to take away rubbish

Meeting

We will meet in Rootes Reception at 7-7:30pm.  We will then choose a May Queen and an Oak King (maybe with some sort of game)

We will be moving to Tocil Meadow at around 8pm.  If you're late, don't worry - you can come along at any time, but you might miss the fun!

To get to Tocil Meadow: Walk from Central Campus towards Gibbet Hill Campus.  As soon as you come out of Tocil Wood, there is a gate to your left.  Go through that and walk straight along the edge of the wood until there is a large opening in the trees - this is Tocil Meadow.

If there is no one around, we will probably we playing the Greenwood Chase game in the wood itself.  We shouldn't be hard to find!

ALL MOBILE PHONES ARE TO BE SWITCHED OFF ONCE WE REACH THE MEADOW!

The Celebration

Note: the Arch is the person who leads the celebration.  This is just a ritual role, not a rank or position.

We gather in a circle on the meadow.

Arch:

Welcome to the fire festival of Beltane, when we celebrate life, fertility and the beginnings of summer.

Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths.  Taste the air, and feel it fill your lungs.  Smell the sun (or rain) on the leaves of the trees, and on the grass of the meadow.  Feel it touch your face.  Hear the babbling of the stream (if we can hear it from where we are).  Be aware of the land beneath your feet, and the arch of the sky above you.

All of you now call to whatever Gods touch you most, in whatever way you feel appropriate for this time and place. (everyone is quiet for a minute or so)

Will the May Queen now step forwards.  (Arch places garland of non-bluebell flowers on her head).  You represent the spirit of the land, dark but playful, terrible but beautiful.

Will the Oak King now step forwards (Arch places garland of Oak leaves or similar on his head).  You represent the spirit of the sun, powerful but mischievous, strong but gentle.

A goblet of mead is passed round clockwise, each person present taking a sip.  By tradition, the goblet should never be allowed to be empty.  If there is only a sip left, ask for a refill!  When everyone has had some, the remainder is poured into the ground.

Now we play the Greenwood Chase game.

The Greenwood Chase

The May Queen leads the women into Tocil Wood.  A few minutes later, the Oak King leads the men after them.

The idea of the game is for the men to find and chase the women.  When a man catches a woman, they embrace, and may then do what they like!  Then they separate and re-join the game.

Every man is free to catch any woman, except that the Oak King must chase only the May Queen, and is the only one allowed to catch her.

Beltane is a time of mischief and fun.  The tradition of 'greenwood marriages' usually involves outdoor sex, which you are all free to do if that is what you wish, but it is completely up to you!  If you find a couple at it - leave them be!

Also, the tradition is for this game to be played sky-clad (naked).  Feel free to do this, but it will probably be cold and boys, that's not going to be flattering!  Very few Pagans actually do outdoor rites in the buff.

You can use both sides of the wood, and the meadow land around it, but remember that if you wander too far no one will find you!

Also please remember that Tocil Wood is a Nature Reserve so please be careful not to trample any flowers (especially bluebells as these are endangered).

After a certain time, the Arch will beat a drum or similar, when everyone should make their way back to the meadow.

The Procession

Arch:

As summer begins, we rejoice in the balance of things, and in the everlasting cycle of the seasons.  We light the Bel Fire as a symbol of life.

Arch lights fire, the May Queen and Oak King lead the group in a procession around the meadow and then all jump the fire.

The Feast

Arch:

We now take the feast, with thanks to Nature, which has provided it.

Food and drink are liberally taken, along with whatever songs, poems, stories, etc. people can tell.

The Offering

A small offering of food and drink (and energy for those that can do this) is made to the Gods and to the land.

The rest of the evening can be used as we all see fit.