DATE CHANGE - The Goddess & The Green Man: Beltane

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DATE OF THE FESTIVAL HAS CHANGED TO SUNDAY 11TH MAY

Beltane marks the transition from spring into the summertime, when the fiery energies of life, kindled during the first months of the year, ignite as rural bonfires, bright blooms of flowers, Maypole dancing and bustling natural activity. Vitality has fully returned on the first day of Summer!

Background image credit: https://www.goddessandgreenman.co.uk/blog/beltane-april-30---may-1

Sunday 11th May 2025 (previously Sunday 4th May) 10:30 for 11:00 start - 13:30 (approx.) followed by a picnic!

About Beltane

It is thought that the ancients only recognised two seasons, these being Summer and Winter. Beltane is the time when the Earth is literally buzzing with fertility. Life springs forth in all of its richness, and the land is covered with beautiful flowers; the freshly opened leaves of the trees are a quality of green that they only show at this time of year. At Beltane, the Lady of the Land takes the hand of the Horned God. Some celebrate Beltane on the dates given above, whilst others look to the flowers of the May tree as their signal that Beltane has, at last, arrived (from the OBOD website).

Meeting place

Meet us at: Either The 'Meeting Location' (in blue) at 10:30, outside the Cambridge Museum of Technology, facing the river. If you're new, you may wish to meet me (Will, the 'Herald') and any other newcomers.

OR

The 'Gathering Location' (in yellow) at 10:45/50 on Stourbridge Common itself.

Running late?

To join us if you are running late, walk straight into the Common with the river on your left, keep straight as you pass a children's playground to your right and as you enter the open fields down a wide dirt track, look to your left for a group of trees. Hopefully, you won't miss us!

First time with us?

If you have never attended or taken part in a pagan/druidic/OBOD ceremony, worry not! Our ceremonies are flexible, open to whatever you would like to contribute and are proudly inclusive of all identities. There are simple ceremony roles to have a go at, with pre-prepared lines to read out, but there is no obligation whatsoever to do so. Details of the roles will be sent out in advance of the ceremony. If you'd like to have an idea of what's involved, please get in touch with us.

Preparation for the day

All registered attendees will be sent a link to the ritual script booklet online as well as a preparation coversheet containing details of what to prepare/bring a week before the event. Key ritual items will be brought for the ceremony, though all are welcome to lay any personal items in the altar space we create.

Please do print your own booklet for the day, once you've registered and have received the ceremony pack nearer the date, especially if you have a speaking role in the ceremony or if you would like to read along with us. This is not essential as you are welcome to come and simply soak up the words and actions performed by others. As 'Herald' at each ceremony, I will lead the ceremony and ensure everything runs smoothly.

We are mindful of the weather and dress appropriately, bringing water, a hat, suntan cream, coat, warm layers and/or waterproofs, etc. Come rain or shine, hail or snow, we meet! Often, the common is waterlogged and boggy so waterproof footwear, for this time of year, is essential.

After the ceremony

After the ceremony has finished, we will have a picnic within the grove so please bring some labelled food (please be clear on what allergens your contribution contains) to share. If you wish to bring your own food to eat, please feel encouraged to do so. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic offerings are also very welcome.

Eisteddfod

In keeping with the practices of Welsh Druidry, we host a small eisteddfod after each ceremony, perhaps with some mead! This is a relaxing way to ground ourselves after working up energies in the rite and it gives us an opportunity to simply share social space with everyone.

'Eisteddfod' simply means 'to sit' in Welsh, or more accurately in this context, 'sitting and sharing together', to enjoy a festival of creativity. Those that wish to perform, talk or play for those gathered are warmly encouraged to do so and as bardistry forms such an integral part of practising Druidry, this is a great way to share your latest creative musings, on whatever journey you might be taking, with a very appreciative audience.

As the weather is expected to be clement, we will host our eisteddfod with our picnic.

Our grove song

Prior to Samhain 2024, a grove song was suggested by one of our members and together, we sang this tune: 'Follow the Heron' by Karine Polwart. Have a listen if you'd like to join us in singing this song once again.

Keeping in touch

The grove has an Instagram page (@corrreiscgrove) and a personal Whatsapp group that we are happy for you to join, once we have met you in person. Through both channels, we communicate our ritual events and other activities though Instagram allows us to connect with wider pagan/druidic/environmental ideas and issues whereas our Whatsapp group remains a decluttered space for simple sharing of pagan events, personal recommendations and thoughts on books, walks, films etc.

To register to attend this event and receive an online copy of the ritual 'script' booklet and prep sheet (when finalised), please email us by Wednesday 7th May 2025.

Subscribe to our mailing list to keep up to date with this and future events and please do get in contact if you have any questions.

We look forward to seeing you for the first day of Summer in 2025!

Corr réisc Grove.

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