Bealtaine Festival
Foundation Centre - Ireland
May 3, 2025
By: Noeleen Watson
The skies were blue, the warm sun shining down and a hint of a breeze. Arriving a little early today for our Bealtaine Festival, I had the opportunity with Cait and a couple others to help prepare the temple for the ceremony. As I was removing the old candles, I noticed a huge spider, busy weaving her web.
Making our way to the courtyard, people started arriving in all colours and bid smiles. New and returning guests made up the large gathering. Standing there you could feel the heat of the sun while a nippy breeze caught you off guard. You could feel the energy rising as more and more people joined our gathering. We were each gifted ribbons in all colours for us to wear and we went on our journey for our Bealtaine ceremony. Cait, our presiding priestess mentioned the importance of being out in nature, seeing the beauty around us.
We started our journey towards the Rose Garden; the breeze carried the song being sung. One of the Priestesses brought us on a journey to our hearts, we each connected with the person to our right, such a peaceful meditation.
As we all walked through the gardens of Huntington Castle, everything was coming back into bloom. The colours of the flowers were medicine for your soul. Hearing the bees buzzing, the birds calling to each other felt like you had been transported to another world. Summer is returning. Arriving at the Sacred Grove, a place dedicated to the Druid Grove of Dana, our Priest Tom invoked the Goddess Dana. Cait gave a little history about the grove to our new guests. We were invited to touch a tree or the ground and connect with them for a few minutes. As we stood there, all you could hear were the sheep talking, it was truly beautiful.
We made our way to the Abbey, while the warm sun beamed down on us. There were fabulous deep pink roses in full bloom, breathing the scent of the roses was amazing. One of our priestesses invoked the Goddess Eriu. The abbey represents the Noble Order of Tara, a Sister Society within in the Fellowship of Isis.
Walking towards the temple, our Priestess invoked the Goddess Persephone, she reminded us of the beauty Persephone brings at this time of the year. We all made our way into the temple and gathered around Brigid's Sacred Well. Our priestesses invoked different deities and prepared for the blessings. As is customary, Cait read the oracle written by Lady Olivia "The Goddess Hertha of the Norse Lands" The hearth of the fire and heart of life are very much connected, they are both one. Bringing yourself into communion with the great mother and knowing that the gems and the gold and silver are inside us.
Moving now towards the High Altar in quietness as there was a priestess in trance waiting to share an oracle. The oracle was mediated from the Goddess Eriu, urging us to see love and beauty all around us, in nurtured friendships, community and family. After the oracle, we all sat in contemplation while being treated to beautiful music played by Tom, our Priest. Cait shared a poem and a story about Fionn mac Cumhaill. We were led on a powerful journey by Tom to meet with the May Queen and the Green Man. Cait invited people to be included in our healing circle, a poem was shared by myself on Bealtaine called 'Fire and Smoke'. Cait asked us to speak a blessing all at the same time; I am sure the foundations of the castle felt a huge vibration as all the blessings were spoken. Thanks were given to all the deities invoked during our ceremony and we all made our way back to the courtyard where it all began to enjoy good company, great laughs and yummy cake. Minette popped by with gifts of her wonderful book and CD. We were certainly spoiled today with our ceremony, the fabulous weather and our loving community. Our ribbons made the journey all around the different sacred place and contains all the energies of Bealtaine season. Keep our flame firing and our hearts full as we say goodbye today.
Our next ceremony is the Summer Solstice on Saturday 14th June at 11am. (Please note: Festivals are accessible by invitation only - to request one, please see this page: Events)
