If there were a “Sexiest Season” award, then it would definitely go to spring, mostly thanks to Beltane.
Beltane comes from Proto-Indo-European bhel- meaning “to shine, flash, burn” and also the name of the Celtic Solar God Bel, and ten related to “hot.” And things definitely heat up with Beltane, and I’m not just talking about the weather ;). Originally Beltane was the Celtic holiday honoring the mating of Green Man and the Earth goddess that marked the beginning of summer. This sacred union symbolized the necessary act to bring about Earth’s fertility.
The traditional rituals of Beltane were also full of erotic imagery and delighting in the senses. As the name would suggest, fires were a huge aspect of the holiday, an ultimate symbol of sexuality- with the rubbing of two sticks and sparks galore. During the bonfires unmarried men and women jumping over the fire wishing for partners and fertility. When we think of Beltane, or May Day, which is actually the Irish Gaelic name for Beltane, the Maypole comes to mind. This dance represented the wrapping of the ribbon (female energies) around the pole (phallic form).
In modern days May Day is celebrated May 1, but in ancient times it was more closely associated with the full moon. Because of differences in various calendars throughout history, the traditional date of Beltane is not the same as its astrological date. The astrological Beltane occurs on May 5, when the Sun is at 15 degrees Taurus halfway between Spring Equinox (Sun moves into Aries) and Summer Solstice (Sun into Cancer). Though traditionally the Beltane festival lasted for several days or weeks depending on location. For the record, I plan to celebrate from the full moon through May 5 just to keep the good juju going as long as I can.
No matter when you observe Beltane it is a time to honor fertility, mating, sensuality, creativity, and abundance. Celebrate the beauty and bounty of Beltane with some of these ideas below:
Create a Beltane altar with flowers, fruit, candle, and other representations of fertility
Perform random acts of beauty and kindness such as giving away flowers
Wear a flowery shirt, skirt, or accessory (hello flower crown)
Dance and sing around an outdoor bonfire
Braid ribbon, with or without putting it onto a Maypole, with prayers for the season
Plant a tree or flower outside or in your home, a great excuse to purchase a new plant
Spring cleaning of anything and everything, closets, cars, and fridges
Sex! Nothing says happy spring like enjoying pleasures of the flesh!
Meditate or sit outside and notice the new growth, buds, and blooms
If you choose to make an altar, use green, pink, and red candles to enhance fertility and energy, or choose a scented candle, such as rose or jasmine, to increase sexuality. Bouquets of dried flowers such as lavender or rose are great for both altar decor and incense.
Aries, the cardinal fire sign, is the very first of the zodiac. It’s a sign known for its independence and willingness to forge on. This is the very first New Moon in the astrological new year. This begins once the Sun moves into Aries, as it did starts to the day before on March 20th. For astrologers and those from the Northern Hemisphere, we call this the Spring equinox. This is the welcoming of new energy and new life. Those of you wanting to set new personal “new year” goals, now is your time. We promise they’re more likely to stick than the ones set in January!
It’s Pisces season! Enjoy the depth and breadth of compassionate cracklings, spiritual connections and synchronicities, creative flow, and also closings. Pisces is a very poignant transitional sign as the ruler of the 12th house. There is something akin to “inner honor ceremonies” as our personal planets cross this threshold, and for all when the sun ingresses this sign. We lovingly, sometimes grievingly, part with certain energies, ideas, and relationships before a cosmic rebirth in the spring upon Aries season. Take a final swim in February, kiss those inner waves, and see what you can’t bring up to your shore during this celestial portal.
March greetings to all, and happy solar return wishes to Pisces and early Aries folks! Below are your intuitive tarot readings by me, coupled with insightful astro snapshots by Sera. Both tarot and astro horoscopes are per sign for the month ahead. There is also a card for the Collective, which you can use in conjunction with your personal tarot card to create a more robust narrative around what is calling your attention during this monthly cycle, or as a clarifier to your zodiac’s card.
