Jeanette Belle, M.A.

April 30th will mark the eve of another Fire Celebration according to the old agricultural calendar: Beltane. I am very excited about this celebration! For the first time I will have a fire pit to throw herbs and woods into as I mark the midpoint of Spring.

This year, Beltane will occur after the New Moon, which will be on April 26th. What intentions will I bring to the Needfire blaze? Taurus is a stabilizing sign in my 4th house–the house of home and comfort as well as family and familial origins. I definitely want some stabilization after the Spring I and my family have had. It will feel good to reaffirm that the recent events are only temporary. What wisdom can I take from having had these recent experiences? How can I return to that comfortable, secure feeling? By being at home and truly appreciating what I already have.

Herbs to throw on the Needfire? Meadowsweet, Rue, Sage (of course), and Mint. Woods? Well, I have some apple and mesquite from last year’s barbecuing, so that will be wonderful to smell. And I’ll make oatmeal cookies and we’ll drink mead, too.

Yep, this will be a wonderful Beltane!