Beltane is a Pagan holiday, and one of the eight Sabbats. It falls about halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the coming summer solstice, Litha. The holiday celebrates spring at its peak, and the coming summer. Beltane also sometimes goes by the name May Day. This holiday is associated very strongly with fertility for pagans.
This festival is often commemorated with bonfires, maypoles, dancing, and performing fertility rituals. Beltane is a Celtic word, meaning “the fires of Bel.” Bel, likely referred to the Celtic sun god, Belenus. The Celts used to light two bonfires because they believed it would purify themselves, as well as increase their fertility. They would pass cattle between the two fires, with the belief that it would purify the cattle, and ensure the fertility of the herd. Although this is not a ritual that is practiced now, modern pagans still light bonfires and practice fertility rituals on Beltane .
Modern-day pagans celebrate Beltane in a variety of ways, including with a maypole. In this custom, a pole is placed in a field with ribbons attached. Each person (usually women and girls) will grab a hold of their own ribbon, and dance around the pole in a way to weave the ribbons into a pattern. This is one of the more common fertility rituals that might take place on this day. Celebrators also might weave flowers into their hair, or create a floral wreath to wear upon their head as a celebration of spring. Some pagans light a bonfire and dance around (or even over) it, which is another common fertility ritual for the day. Some people prepare “May baskets,” and fill them with flowers and goodwill. They give the baskets to someone in need of care, such as an elderly friend, or someone who is recovering from an illness.
Astrological forecast for May
On May 2nd, Pluto turns retrograde. Pluto’s intense and complex energy hangs heavy in the air in the days before and after. Pluto is retrograde until October 11th. Now and over the coming months, we may be reassessing how we use our power. We are not as open or direct about our desire for control or power, and some of us may be less in touch with it. While retrograde, Pluto will return to Capricorn on September 1st. When Pluto heads back into Aquarius in direct motion in November, however, it’s there for the long haul–no more dancing as it transitions between the signs.
On May 6th, Saturn forms a semi-square with Pluto. This is the first of three, the next two occur on September 25th, 2024, and January 26th, 2025. This longer-term transit points to possible power struggles, frustration, and manipulation. We may recognize the need for change, but feel blocked by others or by circumstances. Persistence will pay off in the end, and the need to adjust our expectations becomes obvious.
On May 7th, a New Moon occurs in the sign of Taurus, prompting a new beginning. This new moon brings a fresh start to our lives, awakening our needs to take charge, particularly when making ourselves feel more secure and comfortable. It’s a time for re-evaluating our relationship with money and possessions to discover what we truly value and genuinely makes us happy and fulfilled.
We should concentrate on what we can do to increase our feelings of self-worth and simplify our lives. This is a time for reconnecting with nature, our bodies, and all of our senses. Creative ways of seeing, using, and approaching our personal possessions, valuables, and talents are in focus. This lunation has lots of healing potential.
Taurus New Moons are generally good for getting back in touch with simple and physical pleasures–savoring good food, sex, and activities that bring us in touch with nature and our bodies. It’s a time to become more aware of what makes us feel comfortable and secure. We are challenged to be more sensible and conservative in our approach, but open to making fundamental changes at the same time. Follow through on projects or situations that may have been abandoned if they are worthwhile.
We may be dealing with a certain level of stubbornness in others and in ourselves with this moon phase. However, it’s an excellent time for connecting with our bodies and nature as well as appreciating what we already have. This New Moon aligns with Uranus and harmonizes with Saturn. We’re listening to our needs for change and innovation, but we’re respecting the process, a need for patience, and what’s worked in the past.
On May 23rd, a Full Moon occurs in Sagittarius. This lunation reminds us of the need to reach out beyond our usual routines, thought patterns, and neighborhoods. The Full Moon in Sagittarius is a time of expansion and we should be especially aware of what we’d like to promote. Try to put aside things that won’t serve us well if blown out of proportion.
This Full Moon harmonizes with Neptune and Pluto, and the Sun has just recently aligned with Venus and Jupiter, bringing a sense of good luck and goodwill along with some inspiration and determination to see things through.
On May 23rd, Jupiter forms a sextile to Neptune. This is a time when we seek inspiration. We are inspired to follow a dream or vision or to pursue a cause. We are considering our dreams, imagination, and compassion as we pursue our objectives, and we may feel supported or encouraged on a spiritual level. We are inclined to see the good in people and situations.
This is a short aspect with a longer-term influence. Jupiter is expanding our desire for security, comfort, abundance, earthy or sensual experiences, money, and material things while in the sign of Taurus. As it harmonizes with Neptune in Pisces, we’re more likely to factor in our spiritual values and need for imagination, romance, and compassion for others.
On May 25th, Jupiter enters Gemini where it will transit until June 9th, 2025. In Gemini, Jupiter urges us to learn as much as we can about the people around us and to learn, share, and connect. During this cycle, we place strong emphasis and value on the intellect. We see opportunities to grow and succeed through intellectual, verbal, and written channels.
Intelligence and knowledge are the major keys to solving problems. Communication and contact are valued. We attract the most good fortune when we use our wit and ingeniousness, are versatile, sociable, curious, and put others at ease with friendliness and sincere curiosity.
Negative manifestations include lack of follow through, too many ideas without a plan to set them in motion, gossip, too much information, fickleness, ambivalence, and indecision. We may take on too many things and lose focus. Jupiter in Gemini finds joy in getting and keeping in touch. It’s a powerful time to improve our communication skills, and for upgrading the systems, machines, or devices that keep us mobile and connected. New avenues or channels for communicating and transiting can open up.
We have more options or we may be able to see more options during this transit. Sales, education, teaching, guiding, marketing, writing, editing, journalism, information gathering and relaying, transport, touring, languages, commerce, aviation, and communications can improve and benefit from this influence.
There can be some good fortune or experiences surrounding communication and learning. Pursuits and fields that require dexterity, novelty, logic, gathering, collating, reporting, quick thinking, and agility are favored now.
With Jupiter in Gemini, we prefer learning programs with a focus on ideas, fact-gathering, interaction, and discussion. Belief systems that connect people and encourage conversation, discussion, and questions are more appealing.
