Beltane Newsletter

Celebrate Life Force Energy on May Day,

May Day is the time when nature has truly come alive. Our ancestors joyfully embraced the fertility of Mother Earth; flowers bloom, offering their pollen to the bees. The Celtic name for this period is Beltane, which means bright or sacred fire. During the festival, great bonfires were lit and animals and fields were blessed in hopes for an abundant year. Traditionally May Day began on the eve of May 1st and was celebrated with feasting, dancing, and merriment for two weeks. Lovers knew that sexual energy is a most powerful connection to Spirit as well as it plays an essential role in the abundance of all life. 

Beltane was a time when lovers ran off to the fields and woods together to honor the Great Goddess with ecstatic lovemaking. The Maypole, symbolizing the phallic energy of the season, was festooned with ribbons. The May Basket was a symbol of the womb and the fertile union of male and female. The ancient traditions show a frank appreciation for the enjoyment of their sexuality and also the understanding that sexual energy is Sacred Life Force. 

The ancient Earth Honoring cultures embraced sexuality as the best way to honor this beautiful season that showcases the fertility of nature. They knew the beauty of sex connected us with Source. These cultures were relatively free of the possessiveness and judgement, especially with regard to women, that came with the Patriarchal cultures. The ancient cultures took their wisdom from nature, their greatest teacher.

As a relationship and sex coach I’ve found that much of what gets in the way of joyful and deeply sacred sexuality is past trauma and the shame that these experiences generate. You might not recognize what these stories are, or dismiss the notion that past trauma still greatly influences our bodies’ responses. Few partners realize that old stories such as “something is wrong with me” or “I’m not worthy,” which are at the heart of the meaning we create inside us from what happened in our early experiences. These story meanings fuel the distrust and distance that erodes relationships. Traumatic early experiences are not only abuse, but also witnessing domestic fights and experiences of rejection and more.

I love the quote from Tara Brach, a long time meditation teacher and Psychologist who says;  “Intimacy begins with a compassionate presence.” This quote is a part of her class: The Power of Mindfulness to Radically Change Relationships. I love that she emphasizes Presence as an important beginning. Most sex advice is about specific techniques, putting us in our heads, and the images in porn do not include scenes of deep connection between partners. There is much to learn with the rise of body centered trauma treatments.

As Beltane uplifts our hearts, please celebrate the ancient truth, that sexuality is our precious life force, and when we choose to share with another this beautiful energy, or choose to self- pleasure, we are honoring each other, the beauty of nature and our connection to Source. 

Happy Beltane my friends, Linda