NIGHT LIGHT NEWS
ESOTERIC ASTROLOGY AS NEWSEsoteric Astrology as news for week May 1 – 7, 2019
Beltane – Bright & Shining Fire
May 1st is May Day, an ancient Spring festival in many cultures. May Day, always under the sustaining Taurus Sun, is the Celtic (Gaelic) festival of Beltane (lasting all week long). It is also International Worker’s Day, dedicated in solidarity to the work and labors of all humanity around the world.
Beltane is a cross quarter day, meaning we are half-way between spring and summer. All cycles of life in our universe are centered around the life and light of the Sun. Beltane in pre-Christian times was celebrated as a fertility festival. Beltane was also the festival of Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers.
As Beltane marked summer’s beginning, doorways, walkways and windows, in celebration, were strewn with garlands, ribbons, crosses and yellow (Taurus, Ray 4 is the color yellow) May flowers (primrose, rowan, hawthorn, gorse, hazel, marigold, nasturtiums, a May garden to plant).
There was a Maypole (tree or bush decorated with flowers, ribbons, shells, garlands, calling forth the tree-spirit’s blessings) to dance around. And a young woman was chosen to be Queen of the May, crowning the Virgin Mary with wreaths of flowers.
During Beltane bonfires were kindled. The smoke and wood ash having protective powers for crops. Oatmeal cakes (bannock or Beltane cakes) were made over fires and offered in friendship. Rituals included visiting holy wells were visited, drawing the first waters of dawn, walking “sun-wise” (from east to west), rolling in the morning dew just after dawn broke. The morning waters were thought to contain special devic potencies from the Sun.
Beltane is a Celtic word meaning “bright shining fire from the Sun.” The festival continues today.
Saturday is the new moon (14 degrees Taurus) preparing us for Wesak.
And last Monday, Saturn retrograded in Capricorn. We turn inward, assessing our responsibilities, integrity, seriousness, standards, and steadfastness. The Dweller on the Threshold appears.
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