A Family Beltaine: Involve Kids in the Day

by Heather Evenstar Osterman

article

Children have a unique way of looking at things. They naturally approach life with a sense of wonder, yet take magic as a simple fact of life. Letting your children help you plan rituals for the Sabbats can be enlightening for all involved. Innate child wisdom is sometimes surprising in its depth.

Beltaine is the last of the three Spring fertility celebrations and is also known as May Day, Walburga and Bealtinne. It literally means, "fire of Bel" (the Celtic god of light). This festival celebrates the union of the Great Mother and the Horned God. There is a wealth of tradition surrounding Beltaine to draw from when planning family celebrations:

Sleep outside. If you can't go camping, try pitching a tent in the back yard or putting sleeping bags on the porch.
Go out at sunrise and wash your faces in the morning dew. Folk wisdom says that this will help your inner beauty to shine on the outside.
Explore the Beltaine symbolism in the Robin Hood stories by watching movies or reading books.
Honor your bodies by decorating them with henna, temporary tattoos, or body glitter. Brush each other's hair.
Make wreaths of flowers and vines to wear. Daisy chains are particularly appropriate, but silk flowers can be kept and used year after year.
Have a crowning ceremony to pronounce everyone lords and ladies of May.
Make bread in the shape of a star. Using frozen prepared bread dough is an easy shortcut. Eat a huge feast outdoors with your bread, barbecued meat, fruit and green salads and strawberries and cream for dessert!
Walk the boundaries of your property to repair any winter damage and plant flowers.
Create festive May baskets to fill with flowers. Recycled strawberry baskets can be fun to decorate. Pick wildflowers, or ask a florist for imperfect flowers. Give the finished baskets to neighbors.
Invite friends and family to dance the Maypole. If it isn't possible to be outdoors, you can use a Yule Tree stand to set up a pole indoors. (Check out the Internet or your local library for more information on the logistics of such an undertaking.)
Hang small edible treats on trees and bushes and let your guests nibble where they may. Make sure nothing gets left out overnight that could harm animals!
Leap the bonfire! With care, it is possible for children to participate as well. Only a small fire is necessary; even a fire in your cauldron will suffice. Call out the things you want to cleanse or bring into action as you jump.
Take time after little ones are abed for the adults to connect with the primal sensual nature of Beltaine....

Heather Osterman is the Family Services Coordinator for the Aquarian Tabernacle Church. For more information on pagan-oriented activities and events for children and families, please contact her at ATCchild@AOL.com or ATC at (360) 793-1945 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

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