If you are part of a Pagan/Wiccan group or coven, you may join in rituals and celebrations which apply to...
If you are part of a Pagan/Wiccan group or coven, you may join in rituals and celebrations which apply to your group.
Celebrate the goddess of your tradition, or use the all-embracing name of “Goddess” in the rite. Below is a ritual you and some friends can participate in to honor the feminine aspects of the Universe, as well as our female ancestors.
Beltane Ritual
Decorate your altar with symbols of femininity: cups, chalices, early spring flowers (e.g., daffodil, dandelion, lily, tulip, violet), lunar objects, fish, and doves or swans.
You will need:
- A white candle
- An offering of something that is important to you
- A bowl of water
- A handful of small pebbles or stones
Begin the Ritual
Begin by standing in the goddess position; this is a stance in which the feet are spread apart, about shoulder-width, and the arms raised up to the sky. Speak clearly, and say:
“I am (your name), and I stand before you,
goddesses of the sky and earth and sea,
I honor you, for your blood runs through my veins,
one woman, standing on the edge of the universe.
Tonight, I make an offering in Your names,
As my thanks for all you have given me.”
Light the candle, and place your offering before it on the altar. The offering may be something tangible, such as bread or wine or flowers. It can also be something symbolic, such as a gift of your time or dedication. Whatever it is, it should be something from your heart.
Once you have made your offering, it is time to call upon the goddesses by name. Say:
“I am (your name), and I stand before you,
Isis, Ishtar, Tiamat, Inanna, Shakti, Cybele.
Mothers of the ancient people,
guardians of those who walked the earth thousands of years ago,
I offer you this as a way of showing my gratitude.
Your strength has flowed within me,
your wisdom has given me knowledge,
your inspiration has given birth to harmony in my soul.”
Now it is time to honor the many women may who have touched your life. For each one, place a pebble into the bowl of water. As you do so, say each woman’s name and how she has impacted you. You might say something like this:
“I am (your name), and I stand before you,
to honor the sacred feminine that has touched my heart.
I honor Susan, who gave birth to me and raised me to be strong;
I honor Maggie, my grandmother, whose strength took her to the hospitals of war-torn France;
I honor Cathleen, my aunt, who lost her courageous battle with cancer;
I honor Jennifer, my sister, who has raised three children alone…”
Continue until you have placed a pebble in the water for each of these women. Reserve one pebble for yourself. Finish by saying:
“I am (your name), and I honor myself,
for my strength, my creativity, my knowledge, my inspiration,
and for all the other remarkable things that make me who I am.”
Wrapping it Up
Take a few minutes and reflect on the sacred feminine. What is it about being a woman that gives you joy? If you’re a man performing this ritual, what is it about the women in your life that makes you love them? Meditate on the feminine energy of the Universe for a while, and when you’re ready, end the ritual.
(Remember, this ritual can easily be altered for a group.)
Kudos: Wigington, Patti. “Beltane Sacred Feminine Goddess Ritual.” Learn Religions, Apr. 17, 2019.
Be magickal, y’all!
