© 2003, Frances Billinghurst (Published in the "Insight" October 2002)

If you mention the 31st of October to most people, it is not unusual for them to think of Halloween - the time when children are encouraged to dress up as Wytches, ghosts and ghouls to go trick 'n treating. This Americanised custom (although based on the ancient traditions of celebrating the Celtic Festival of the Dead, Samhain) has become increasingly popular here in Australia over recent years. In fact, last year the makers of a particular Irish stout were encouraging their drinkers to celebrate the dark month". How strange, I thought, as, due to the differences between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the 31st of October in Australia actually marks the start of Summer, which the ancient Celts referred to as Bealtaine, so it hardly seems to be a "dark month".

Bealtaine (also spelt Beltane) is the Gaelic word meaning "Bel-fire", referring to the sacred purification fires which the Druids lit on hilltops at this time of the year to herald the return of life and fertility to the land. This festival is named after the God of Light, Bel (also known as Beli or Balor).

To the ancient Celts, Bealtaine marked the beginning of Summer, the growing season, which fell opposite the festival marking the beginning of Winter, Samhain. (I will talk more about Samhain and Halloween in a later edition, when the wheel of the year turns to a more appropriate time.)

With the essence of Bealtaine being on fertility, couples would jump the fires in order to conceive. Others would jump to ensure that good luck, health and safe journeys for the coming year were bestowed upon them. Cattle were also driven through the ashes, or between two such fires to ensure a good supply of milk, and to banish Winter infections, before taking them to the Summer pastures. These festivities would then flow onto the next day (which is 1 May, or May Day, in the Northern Hemisphere).

One of the popular fertility symbols of Bealtaine, which can still be seen today in various parts of Britain, is the May Pole. People would dance around this phallic symbol, intertwining red (representing the Feminine - menstrual blood) and white (the Masculine - semen) ribbons. The circular steps of the dancers, coupled with the weaving ribbons, symbolised the spiral of life. However, most today dancers probably are not be aware that they are actually partaking in an ancient fertility ritual, caught up in the joy and fun of it all.

"Greenwood marriages" were also performed at this time of the year - this was when men and women would disappear into the forests throughout the night for their own personal celebrations. It was believed that such unions were physical representations of the Divine Union between the Horned God and the Goddess, which brings fertility to the Earth. Such unions were a celebration of love and life, accomplished to ensure the ongoing fertility of the land, animals, as well as the people themselves. Children born out of these greenwood marriages were considered specially blessed by the God and Goddess, and belonged to the whole village, not just their parents.

For Pagans today, Bealtaine is still perceived as a time of fertility and pleasure, to celebrate the returning warmth of the Sun and greening of the Earth. Focuses of this festival are on the reconciliation of opposites through love, and the rewards that are achieved through this act. It is also a time to renew our connection to the land.

While it is not always possible to light these sacred fires in Australia because of fire bans, it is possible to form other "fertility" rituals, such as planting flowers, shrubs and trees, to celebrate this height of the growing season. The fertility aspect can also include the fertility of the mind and spirit and therefore, Bealtaine can mark the learning of ideas and ways of self-improvement.

Occultist Aleister Crowley once said that every man and woman is a star. While focusing on the fertility theme of Bealtaine, we can take Crowley's statement and reflect on our own sexuality - a subject still viewed with much taboo in today' modern society. How much of our own sexuality is an expression of our own true selves, and how much do we allow to be manipulated and coerced by others? Do we use our own sexuality as a weapon to get what we want, or are we afraid to use it at all?

Coupled with sexuality is our perception of our body image. Do we like our physical bodies or, as if often the case, do we wish them to conform to some almost impossible standard set by media?

Our bodies are our temples, and although we may strive for a higher spiritual goal, we are still connected to the Earthy plane. This connection is through our physical bodies, and Bealtaine seems to be the appropriate time to reclaim a happy relationship with our physical form.

Daniel Littlewood states:
When you love yourself - others will love you
Others will respect you
And when you choose
You not only enhance your own life
You send out energies that others,
In a sad place in their lives
Can reach out for,
And bring into their reality.

A Simple Ritualistic Self-Massage

Choose a time when you can be completely alone - locking yourself in the bathroom if need be, making sure that the room is warm. Blend a few drops of ylang-ylang essential oil with a base oil such as grapeseed or sweet almond. If your skin is sensitive, it may be best to omit the essential oil altogether, and just use the base oil. You can add to the atmosphere by adding lighting a scented candle and/or some incense, or either playing some relaxing music in the background.

Before starting the massage, you may wish to perform some kind of relaxation - the simplest method is to take a series of slow, deep breaths and gently releasing them, taking care that you do not overextend yourself.

When you are ready, sit nude on a soft towel and begin rubbing the oil gently into your feet. As you do, connect with your feet with words such as "Feet, I love you". Continue in this manner all over your body - taking your time and acknowledge each part of you. "Knees, I love you", "Legs, I love you", "Stomach, I love you", and so on. You may also wish to acknowledge any "faults" such as scars and stretch marks.

When you have finished, view yourself in a mirror and say to yourself "I love me". Repeat the words until they ring true.

In nature, every tree and flower is different, yet they are all beautiful. We also all have our own special beauty. It makes no difference whether our nose is the "wrong" shape, our thighs too large, or if we do not possess that magickal 6-pack stomach. When we learn accept and love ourselves, we can all perceive ourselves as being either Aphrodite or Adonis.

The next time you walk down the street, experiment with feeling the joy of just being you. Remember the words of Aleister Crowley, that you are a star.