Merry meet,
The April days are trickling by and Beltane is aglow on the horizon. It’s almost time for the fire festival and early summer celebration!
For those unfamiliar with pagan holidays, Beltane is one of the eight sabbats on the pagan Wheel of the Year. It is linked to May Day celebrations from across Europe. Many modern Beltane celebrations draw a lot of inspiration from Celtic traditions in particular.
The name Beltane is thought to come from the Old Irish Beltene or Beltine , meaning “bright fire” or “fires of Bel” , referring to the Celtic god Belenus, a deity associated with light, healing, and the sun’s life-giving power. True to its name, fire is central to Beltane, symbolizing purification, transformation, and the spark of passion that fuels growth.
From Spells8: Beltane
The bonfire is one of the most popular symbols of Beltane. It is not just a reference to the God Belenus and namesake of the holiday, it is also representative of nature during this time of the year. The Beltane bonfire symbolizes the thriving world - the bright colors, the explosion of plants in the garden, the wild fertility, and the waxing energy of nature as we rise up toward the summer solstice and the peak of the year. It is a fire of transformation, growth, and fertile opportunity.
Some traditions involve offering sacrifices into the Beltane bonfire, releasing the past to make way for the future, allowing new growth to rise like flames, and encouraging positive transformation. While Imbolc and Ostara are about surviving and taking root, Beltane is a brighter explosion of life. You can say that Beltane is not about surviving - it’s about thriving 
Beltane Bonfire Tarot Spread
Use this spread to tap into the thriving energy of the fertile world around Beltane. Let your cards reveal what you need to offer up to release and what you need to do in order to become your best and brightest self this season.
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Take three deep breaths. Let your busy thoughts fade into the darkness and step into the light of this moment. Be present with yourself as you focus on your breathing and your cards.
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When you feel grounded and ready, begin to shuffle your deck. Focus on the question: “What do I need to release?”
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[Cards 1 & 2] Draw two cards. These cards represent the things you need to offer up into your “fire” and release. They may be tangible things like items, or intangible things like soured relationships, detrimental situations, bad habits, unhealthy ideas, etc. Whatever they are, your guides are telling you that these things are holding you back. It is time to release them so you can move forward.
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[Card 3] Shuffle your deck again. This time, focus on your best self. Imagine you at your brightest where you feel successful and fulfilled. With that wonderful idea in mind, draw one card. This card represents the single most important thing you need to focus on in order to reach your peak. This card symbolizes your goal at the top of the flames - it what you need to reach the pinnacle of your success this season.
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Pick up your deck for the final draw. Shuffle as you focus on the question: “What action do I need to take in order to become my best self?”.
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[Cards 4 & 5] Draw two cards. These two cards are your action cards - they are the bridge between what you are releasing and what you can gain. Think of them as your guiding compass and road map to your peak. The advice and insights they provide will help you cut yourself free from the burdens in cards 1 and 2, while also showing you how you can achieve your goal in card 3.
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Consider recording your reading in a divination journal or notebook to refer back to in the future. You are also welcome to record your reading in the comments below if you wish.
More Beltane Magick
Are you excited for Beltane too? Here are some additional sabbat spells and resources you may find interesting!
What are your favorite Beltane activities? Are you planning anything fun for the sabbat?
Feel free to share your tarot reading, related experiences, advice, and wisdom with fellow coven members in the comments below.
Blessed be and happy almost Beltane! 
