As the wheel of the year turns once more, we arrive at Beltane, the vibrant fire festival that marks the height of spring and the beginning of summer. Celebrated around May 1st, Beltane is a sabbat of fertility, passion, and the sacred union of energies—both in nature and within ourselves. It's a time to honor growth, sensuality, and the blossoming of our intentions planted earlier in the year.
What Is Beltane?
Rooted in ancient Celtic tradition, Beltane was one of the four major fire festivals. Our ancestors lit bonfires to honor the sun, encourage the fertility of the land, and invite protection and abundance into their lives. People would leap over the flames for luck, couples would jump together to bless their union, and cattle were driven between fires to ensure health and prosperity.
At its core, Beltane is about celebration, connection, and magic. It invites us to dance with life, to embrace the beauty around and within us, and to welcome the divine spark of creation.
Tarot Themes of Beltane
In the language of tarot, Beltane calls forth the energy of cards like:
- The Empress – She is the fertile earth, overflowing with life and love. Beltane invites us to embody her sensual abundance.
- The Lovers – A symbol of sacred union, passion, and choice. This sabbat reminds us to align with what truly ignites our hearts.
- Ace of Wands – The spark of new energy, creativity, and desire. Now is the time to act on inspiration and light your inner fire.
Ways to Celebrate Beltane
You don’t need a maypole or a roaring bonfire to honor Beltane (but if you do, more power to you). Here are a few modern, soulful ways to weave Beltane magic into your life:
- Light a candle (red or orange is perfect) and meditate on what you want to manifest.
- Create a Beltane altar with fresh flowers, fertility symbols, crystals like carnelian and rose quartz, and seasonal fruit.
- Move your body—through dance, yoga, or a sensual bath ritual—to reconnect with your vitality.
- Do a love or passion spell—for a person, a project, or simply to deepen your own self-love.
- Spend time in nature and observe what’s blooming. Beltane reminds us to celebrate the cycles of life and our place within them.
- Do a Tarot Reading Use the Beltane Tarot Spread from the Sabbats Tarot Spreads ebook. Download for FREE here.
A Time to Say Yes
Beltane is an invitation to say yes to life. Yes to your pleasure. Yes to your dreams. Yes to the creative force that stirs beneath the surface and asks to be expressed.
At Florence Selene Tarot, this is one of our favorite sabbats—a reminder that magic begins with desire and becomes real through intentional action. Whether you’re lighting a candle, drawing cards, or kissing under the moonlight, know that the energy of Beltane supports you in blooming wildly and unapologetically.
Blessed Beltane, wild hearts. May your fires burn bright. 🔥🌸