Before we dive in, I want to invite you to a raffle! May 6th marks the solar return of my blog about the First Saturn Return. To celebrate its birthday, I’m giving away three reports about YOUR next solar return. Complete this form to participate. And good luck! 🍀
Hello!
How are you doing?
Hope you are having a good start to the new lunar cycle.
Yesterday, on Sunday the 27th, at 15:30 EST, we had the New Moon at 07°46’ of Taurus.
This New Moon was not an eclipse, marking the end of the first eclipse season of 2025.
As a calendar month, May will be less psychedelic than March and April. It will be more straightforward and dynamic.
May's astrological featured event is Saturn's ingress into Aries on the 24th. The Saturn return of people born with Saturn in Aries officially starts on this date!
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We’ll have plenty of time to discuss Saturn in Aries from a variety of perspectives.
Right now, let’s do a quick review of the astrology of the week and then we’ll focus on rituals to celebrate Beltane, the middle of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Let’s go.
The astrology of the week
With the Moon gaining more light slowly, this is a perfect week for starting projects quietly.
This means you can initiate subtle or behind-the-scenes activities that will grow over time.
Strategize the steps needed to turn your intentions into reality, even if you don’t have the full vision just yet.
Venus's ingress into Aries on Wednesday, the 30th, at 13:16 EST will give you a push during the rest of the week to infuse your intentions with your true desires and a bold attitude.
The most important event is Beltane, or the middle of the spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
Wiccans celebrate Beltane on May 1st. In Ireland, this was considered traditionally the first day of summer.
Astrologically, that celebration occurs on Monday, May 5th, when the Sun will reach 15° of Taurus.
The middle of spring is here. 💐
It’s a moment to recognize the power of life in its fullness and flourishing nature. It is also seen as a festival of light.
To honor this time of the year, you can implement some practices and celebrate the sprouts already manifesting in your existence.
Keep reading to find out more.
Rituals to celebrate Beltane
Bring an offering to a tree: If possible, celebrate Beltane in the woods or close to a live tree. If not possible, add a small tree or bush to your celebration. Even a small tree inside a pot works. The offering you can bring to the tree can be a flower, a crystal, or a tiny cloth bag filled with herbs or dried flowers. Before placing the offering in one of its branches, greet the tree silently or aloud. Then, place your left hand, representing the intuitive side of your body, on its trunk. Take a few deep breaths. Feel your own energy settle into the Earth and up into the branches of the tree. Thank the tree for the oxygen it provides in your life, and place the gift in one of its branches. Afterwards, whisper your Beltane intention to it. The intention must be connected to something you want to bring into full bloom during the rest of the spring.
Craft a talisman: According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a talisman is "an object held to act as a charm to avert evil and bring good fortune." Instead, an amulet is defined as "a charm (such as an ornament) often inscribed with a magic incantation or symbol to aid the wearer or protect against evil (such as disease or witchcraft)." There's some overlap between the definitions. Both a talisman and an amulet can protect the wearer from evil influences. However, talismans have more positive connotations because they can bring good fortune. A talisman protects you AND brings good fortune. An amulet just protects you. So, this Beltane, you can craft your own talismans to honor the union of the God and the Goddess. The talismans can be small cloth bags filled with spring flowers. You can embroider or paint a phrase of protection on the cloth. Another option is to write a desire you want nature to grant you. This ritual is similar to the crafting of solar ornaments during Yule.
Start a fire: Bonfires are a common feature in Wiccan celebrations. However, the meaning of ritual fire varies depending on the time of year when it is lit. During Samhain, sacrifices were offered to the fire to thank the deity for the harvest. Lighting a fire was one of the most magical activities for celebrating Yule in the past. The sacred fire was believed to strengthen the Sun and aid in its moment of rebirth. Fire in astrology is related to passion, and Beltane, as a celebration, marks the return of passion in nature. In the past, special bonfires were kindled during the mid-spring celebration. The flames, smoke, and ashes from Beltane bonfires were deemed to have protective powers. People and their cattle would walk around bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames. In the present, you can light a (safe) bonfire and have a celebration with friends and family. If not possible, light a candle in your house, dance to your favorite music, and ask the divinity for protection.
Gather round a maypole: Maypoles, phallic symbols of the God, used to be the central point of Beltane’s gatherings. People woke up at dawn to grab flowers, a symbol of the Goddess, and use them to decorate the maypoles. Long colorful ribbons were also placed in the maypole as decoration. Dancing around the maypole is one of Beltane’s most iconic traditions. Maypole dancing symbolizes fertility, unity, and the weaving of energies. Participants used to take a ribbon, weaving in and out around the pole in a rhythmic dance. If you have a coven or witchy friends interested in pagan holidays, you can use a sturdy wooden pole. As you dance all together, you can visualize the ribbons manifesting wishes and blessings into your existences. If you’re a solo practitioner, you can create a mini maypole for your altar. You can employ a small stick, decorate it with ribbons and flowers, and place it in a vase or pot. As you wrap the ribbons around the pole, visualize the energy of growth, passion, and abundance weaving into your life.
Weave a crown: Knitting and weaving are traditional arts of mid-spring. The union of two elements to form a third one is the spirit of Beltane. Therefore, creating a flower crown is a way to connect with the Wheel of the Year. In ancient times, women would weave crowns from fresh flowers and wear them during Beltane festivities. Do you want to join them? To do so, gather fresh flowers with flexible stems, such as daisies, baby’s breath, or even wildflowers. Create a sturdy base for the crown using floral wire or a thin vine. Then, begin weaving the stems together, securing them with twine or wire. As you weave your crown, focus on your intentions for the rest of the spring. Welcome light and passion into your life. Once the crown is ready, wear it during your Beltane celebrations or on a nature walk. When the Sabbat is done, make compost out of the natural parts of the crown, and recycle its structure.
Prompts for Week 11
Write [Week 11: Saturn in Aries] Sprout on top of the page and the week we’re in, just like in the last edition.
Go back to the prompts from Week 5, the newsletter celebrating the start of spring. If you have something lingering from the winter (prompt 2), complete it now. Saturn likes crossing out pending tasks. Use the rest of the spring to connect with activities you enjoyed as a kid (prompt 3). Would you like to add something else to that list? This is the moment to do so. Finally, re-read the ritual you have done to celebrate Ostara or Mabon (prompt 4). Did that ritual have a lasting impact on you this season? Is something you started at the beginning of the season showing some sprouts now? Journal about it and about how the first part of the spring (fall if you live in the Southern Hemisphere) was for you.
Go back to the prompts from Week 8. Specifically, I would like you to focus on prompt 3 and prompt 4. If you haven’t done anything to activate the movement you need to activate, this is the time to do so. You got this!
Celebrate Beltane with one of the rituals I shared here. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere, the appropriate celebration is Samhain. You can check the rituals here. And let me know in the comments how the ritual went!
I hope you find this newsletter helpful and entertaining. I enjoy writing it, and I hope you enjoy reading it and acting on the prompts.
Happy Beltane!
With love,
Valentina