Beltane 2009
By Julie

Props:
Bower for the Queen & King of May
Candles / Goddess and God images / Flowers
Balefires in cauldrons / Beltane staves
Maypole
Hoop – covered in red ribbon / Beltane cord
Air – Beltane incense / Fire – red candle / Water / Earth – salt

Garlands for the King and the Queen to be made by the men of the clan and the handmaidens (everyone else who is there)

Basket of offerings – to queen of May in thanks for her favour: fruit, vegetables, flowers, grain, gourds and small leafy boughs, honey, nuts, mead, wine to be left in front of altar.

Wine to be used for ale and apples to be used for food.

Gifts from the May Queen to thank those who bestow offerings. (Hoop and cord)
Second basket in the bower to receive the gifts

Narrator – ? / HPS – TJ / Queen of May – Sara / King of May – Mark
Quarters -

Narrator: 	“Beltane celebrates the height of spring moving towards summer. It is a time of fertility, growth and union. Dance and weave the male and female energies. Run between the fires – cast out the negative energy from the dark of winter and be ready to bring positive aspects into your lives as you witness the marriage between the Queen of May and the King. It is a time when the young stag and the maiden come together and the child to be born is conceived. Have fun, celebrate!
Enter the circle between the balefires to cast aside anything holding back your dreams and aspirations.”

The May Queen enters last and then moves round the circle till she gets to her bower. She is escorted by the quarter callers who carry the Beltane staves. They will then move around the circle till they get to their own positions.

HPS will now cast circle and cleanse the space with the elements.

HPS then calls the Lord and Lady to honour the circle.

HPS: “Beloved Mistress and Great Lord your presence would bring wonder and strength to this rite. We ask that you join with us to celebrate Beltane as we do bid thee Hail and Welcome.”

All: “Hail and Welcome.”

Quarter callers will now call their elemental guardians beginning with air. As each quarter is called that caller will then ram his/her stave into the earth.

Narrator: “Would everyone please choose a gift for the Queen from the basket as it is brought around.”

HPS or a child may take the basket of offerings around the circle for everyone to choose a gift.

HPS takes the crowns from the altar. 

HPS: “Would the King please step forward?”

King comes to stand before the HPS in the centre of the circle.

HPS:  “You are the representative of all who are here today and so I dress you with the garland made by the men of the clan for the King of May. You must now woo the chosen Queen. Be charming, for if you fail we and the land will suffer.”

The King then leaves the circle and goes to the Queen in her bower. He takes her crown with him as his gift.

May King: “Lovely Queen of May, you delight and honour us with your presence. Please allow me to crown you with this garland made with love by your handmaidens. Though its beauty is outshone by your own you must admit it has its charms.”

May Queen:  “You have a glib tongue sir, why should I believe your speech? Do you think me soft that I would be swayed by such bold words?”

May King: “Never. If I should think you soft it would be only as the gentle breeze is soft. As the sunlight warms the land, your face warms the heart. Your tears are as sweet as the dew on the grass, your hair, as gossamer as the spiders web.
Had I the eloquence of the bard I would barely be able to speak as your fairness takes my breath from my lips.”

May Queen: “What are you prepared to do in order to win my favour?”

May King: “Is there something you would have me do? A task perhaps? A dragon to slay or an ogre to challenge? ”

May Queen:  “I would have you dance with me and show me you are a man of courage and passion.”

May King: “Gladly my queen, I am at your command.”

May Queen: “The garland is a pretty thing and as it was made by my handmaidens you may crown me with it for you have convinced me you are worthy to be my King.”

May King: “All here wish to pay homage to your radiance and have brought gifts for you.”

May Queen: “Gladly will I accept these gifts, and honour the givers with a gift of my own, But later you must dance with me in the greenwood to guarantee the fertility of the land and the season.”

Narrator:  “Would you all please step forward one at a time to gift the queen.”

When everyone has returned to their place in the circle the queen and the king bring the gifts of the hoop and the Beltane cord to the HPS. They attach the cord to the hoop and each will draw it once through the hoop concentrating on her and then his own hopes and dreams for the coming season. HPS then does the same.

May King and May Queen then retire to the bower.

Narrator:  “As you entered the circle you released all the slowness of winter and now you must think of your aspirations and dreams for the coming season so concentrate on these, see yourself succeeding in those dreams as you pass the Beltane cord once through the hoop to bind them on then pass the hoop to the next in the circle who will then do the same until all are done.”

The hoop is then given back to the queen and the king by the HPS.

May Queen (to May King):  “Come with me to the greenwood and we will lead everyone in the dance of the Maypole.”

May King:  “Come on everyone, join us and dance.”

The King and Queen take the hoop and cord with them to attach to the top of the maypole and then lead the dancing.

When all the dancing is done they lead everyone back to the circle.

May Queen:  “Thank you for your gifts and may all your hopes and dreams be fruitful and fertile. Join with me for cakes and ale to celebrate Beltane.”

HPS then blesses the food and wine and passes it round the circle.

HPS to farewell the Lord and Lady.

HPS:  “Thank you to our Beloved Mistress and our Great Lord for attending our circle to witness our Beltane celebration and we do bid thee Hail and Farewell.”

Quarters to farewell their elements.

All: “Hail and Farewell.”

By the earth that is her body etc

Circle is open.

Narrator:  “Now we are at the end of our Beltane ritual. It is time for the Feast!”