Photos by Magenta
Beltane
For those of us in the Northern hemisphere, this is the second fire festival of the year and is a celebration of summer, and the fullness of life.
The flowers have returned as have the leaves on the trees. It is a good time of the year to see the bright colours of nature and feel the growing warmth of the sun.
Samhain
For those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, this is Samhain and the final fire festival. It is a time to celebrate the ending of life both in the natural environment, as trees and flowers lose their colour, and the lives of those who have passed on.
It is a good time of year to pay respects to ancestors or friends and family members who have died. It is seen as a celebration of the darkness, which is eventually broken by Yule as the light returns.
Choose how to celebrate
These festivals are traditionally ‘fire festivals’ so we can mark the time of year through lighting a candle or fire in the hearth or enjoying a barbeque or firepit outdoors. This fire festival could be an opportunity to celebrate life. If the beginning of life is celebrated with Beltane, a festival of light and fertility, then Samhain celebrates those who have left this world, and welcomes darkness and endings with a patient respect.
It is worth noticing that at this point in the year, the Sun moves through Taurus. As Beltane starts we are reminded that we have waited patiently through the spring for the first buds, the first blossom and the first fruits to appear.
If we are celebrating Samhain, we are reminded of the preciousness of life. As a result, Taurus symbolises patience and provides a stablising influence through difficult change. Taurus has Venus as its ruling planet, the planet of beauty, so all the while we are invited to admire the beauty of life.
Samhain can often mark the ending of the Wheel of the Year, as winter comes. Take this as an opportunity to do a New Year tarot spread for yourself. We have one you can recreate using 13 cards, to give a really detailed look at your year in summary and what areas of your life should form the focus for the next year.
Whatever you choose to do, and how you choose to celebrate, pause to admire the gift that is life.
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