5 Beltane Rituals – Taurus Season, Floralia, May Day & More!

The midpoint between Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice, during the middle of Taurus Season we have ‘Beltane’, a.k.a. ‘fires of Bel’, May Day, ‎Calan Mai‎, or ‎Walpurgis Night…

Read about the astrological significance of Beltane, here.

Inspiration for the rituals of Beltane can come from “Goddess Flora”, and also arrive from the traditional rites of passage from old…

Goddess Flora…

A figure in Roman mythology, Flora is the goddess of flowers (and flowering plants, especially those that bear fruit), of youth, and the season of spring.

A symbol for nature and one of several fertility goddesses, she holds particular importance at the coming of spring, so we associate her with Taurus Season, and the archytype of Taurus.

In art, she is often depicted as a lovely young woman wearing light spring clothing, holding flowers and crowned with blossoms. She embodies the flowering, or blossoming of nature, and teaches us to enjoy the pleasures of spring and the promise of good things to come in the future…

Flora’s  festival Floralia coincided with the spring blossoming of plants, and was held from April 27th or 28th to May 3rd.

Festival Of Floralia…

A festival with a “licentious, pleasure-seeking atmosphere”, Floralia festival-goers would wear bright clothing – multi-colored garments were customary (unlike other festivals where white was worn), and floral wreaths made of roses.

Participation of prostitutes in the Floralia is noteworthy; many prostitutes in ancient Rome were slaves, and even free women who were sex workers lost their legal and social standing as citizens. At this festival they danced naked and fought in mock gladiator combat, their inclusion perhaps tied to fertility, feminity, and the symbolism of Taurus – the Venusian courtesan, too.

A second festival for Goddess Flora arrived on May 23rd.

Beautiful Rituals For Beltane…

• Place fresh flowers in your home or space, create a pretty floral crown…

• Use spring flowers, floral waters, floral perfumes and spring water.
• Wear bright colours.
• Hang a wreath of spring flowers including those bearing fruit like strawberries!

• Cleanse and revitalise with fire, an important element during Beltane celebrations, thanks to the purifying qualities of fire.

See all the seasonal celebrations in the wheel of the year…