Celebrating Beltane: Flame, Fae and the Morris Dancers of May

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Welcome to The Bell Witch Podcast- a wholesome show on all things 'Witching in the 21st Century'

In this episode, host Swailes the Friendly Green Witch of Leeds celebrates her best Sabat- Beltane: the ancient vibrant pagan fire festival marking life, fertility, and renewal. She explores its historical roots, from Celtic cattle purification rituals to Maypole and Morris dancing traditions. Swailes discusses the sacred union of the May Queen and her Consort, symbolising balance between the masculine and feminine energy. She highlights Beltane's connection to nature, including the colourful tulips, magical hawthorn, buzzing bees, and blossom fae, alongside associated deities like Cernunnos and Bona Dea. The episode concludes with practical celebration suggestions, including lighting fires, bathing in morning dew, making floral crowns, and embracing the May Day community.

Mentioned in this episode-
The Fabolous Rainbow Morris Dancers of Saltaire-   https://www.facebook.com/rainbowmorrissaltaire

Episodes mentioned-
Folklore of Trees https://open.spotify.com/episode/3FliuuHrWulFcwQRBwct4P?si=rGs9TVAiQwaem0bDj4fpoQ
Green Man- https://open.spotify.com/episode/1KoBb1t2rAgiwZZyKHQpwG?si=6ed1b964a5324e12
Mumming for Yule- https://open.spotify.com/episode/0zf061azGMeUlujZMGoXPi?si=VocUtOzhRYqh5xfqzZvP8Q

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Our friends over at 'Missing Witches' aim not only to do the work but to be the work. It’s brutally obvious how much the "new age" has engaged in an extractive and often appropriative relationship with Indigenous knowledge and people.  As part of the work of reparations, each year, they pay forward all of their May community earnings to the Native Women’s Shelter of Montreal AND organize a community Reparations fundraiser. We would love your help, whether it’s donating, signal boosting or joining their squad. Find out more at MissingWitches.com/Reparations 
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KEY WORDS-------------------------------
Beltaine, Beltain, Celtic sabat, sabat, wiccan wheel, May Day, May pole, Morris Dancing, Summer, Celebrations, Nature, Fae, Fairy, Goddess, God, May King, May Queen, spirits, trees, blossom, tulips, pagan, ritual, morning drew, Celtic dainties, spiritual significance, balance, unity, fertility, nature, flowers, tulips, trees, bees, fairies, communal ritual, bonfires, purification, sacred ashes, fertility rituals, Walpurgis Night, divine masculine, divine feminine, maypole dance, world tree, nature spirits, going a-Maying, weddings, handfastings, dandelion, hawthorn, blackthorn, rowan, elderflowers, cowslips, foxgloves, cherry blossoms, fairy realm, animal symbolism, Horned God, Cernunnos, goddesses, Artemis, Danu, Diana, Flora, Freya, Bonea Dea, tarot, oracle cards, community celebration, floral crowns, Beltane morning dew, ritual renewal, balance of energies, magic, love, light, sex.

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