In between blogging my shapes and recovering from my surgery I’ve been trying to find out which Pagan groups in-world will be holding Beltane rituals this weekend.  Beltane is a fire festival, so bonfires are a traditional way of celebrating this day. In days of old womenfolk would jump over the bonfire as a symbolic way of increasing their fertility; in fact, that’s what Beltane is all about.  May poles..what do they remind you of, hmm?  That’s right, Beltane goes hand in hand with Bonking!  It’s said that in olden times after the village celebrations had drawn to a close, many couples would make their way to the fields to make love and symbolically fertilise the earth to ensure a good harvest…It’s an earthy, lusty festival with a party atmosphere and a perfect way to celebrate the forthcoming summer!

So, what’s happening in Second Life this Beltane? One of my favourite Pagan sims, Gaia Rising, will be holding TWO rituals for Beltane.  These are on  Saturday May 1st at 6 PM slt and on Sunday May 2nd at 12pm noon slt, with the ritual being led by Enchantress Sao and Deadeye Foggarty, so I’m sure some of Deadeye’s wonderful music may be involved!

Beltane Circle at Gaia Rising

Having attended the Ostara ritual I can tell you it’s a lovely experience to be part of a Gaia Rising ritual.  If you have voice enabled then even better, because the rituals do tend towards using it and it’s especially nice to hear the quarters called and dismissed by ritual participants…all those accents from across the globe are simply fabulous to hear. You can still participate if you don’t have voice though; I was honoured to be asked to call and dismiss a quarter but my mic broke, so I wrote it in chat and it worked fine. (Tip, write in a note card beforehand then just publish it when asked so people don’t have to wait for you to finish your typing, it compromises the virtual energy in the circle if you have to wait a while)

I do recommend you arrive early if you intend to participate in the festivities here because the rituals are always well attended. Arriving around 15 minutes beforehand should do the trick.

Sacred Cauldron is holding a different kind of celebration on April 30th, at 7pm SLT. They’re choosing to focus this Beltane upon the energy of Venus, and plan an exploration of the senses, Second Life style! The organisers ask that participants wear tasteful lingerie to ‘delight the visual sense’, and request that attendees arrive with an emote that encapsulates a favourite physical sensation, eg eating chocolate, drinking vintage wine, smelling beautiful perfume., the choice is yours! The plan is to transcend the limitations of the virtual world and be taken on a sensory adventure.It sounds like this will be a very sensual ritual indeed, and I imagine it will be heaving with participants, so arrive early to secure your place. It’s going to be held in the Aphrodite tent area of the sim..doesn’t that sound enticing?

Aphrodite Tent Area at Sacred Cauldron

In fact, love is most definitely in the air at Sacred Cauldron for on May 1st at 5pm SLT, Belladonna Yarrowroot and Jackalope Farspire will be holding their handfasting.  Beltane is traditionally a time of such celebrations, and I’m sure many Pagan couples will be wed this weekend both in real life and Second.  If you’ve never attended a handfasting before, why not make use of Bella and Jack’s open invitation and attend their betrothal? This link will take you there.

I can’t find any notices that say Seasons Altar is holding a Beltane celebration, but it’s always nice to pay the sim a visit and light a candle at Spirit Falls.  It’s amazing to see how many candles are in situ there , and reassuring  to acknowledge that this little corner of  Second Life offers so many avatars a place to come light a candle and say a prayer when needed..

Oh, and don’t forget that the “Wheel Of  The Year Hunt- Beltane” is still ongoing. Refer to the blog for clues, and there is an in-world group that you can join too.

Finally, all that’s left is for me to leave you with this blessing, and wish you a wonderful Beltane however you decide to celebrate.  Me? I shall be doing a wee ritual alone, and will endeavour to attend one of the group rituals in-world.  I always enjoy a glass or two of wine and my annual viewing of ‘The Wicker Man’ at this time of year too!

Be thee Maiden, Mother, and Crone,
Taking possession of all to me belonging.
Horned God, the Wild Spirit of the Forest,
Protect me with truth and honor.
Satisfy my soul and shield my loved ones,
Blessing every thing and every one,
All my land and my surroundings.
Great gods who create and bring life to all, I ask for your blessings on this day of fire.