Beltane, the celebration of mid-Spring, is coming up this weekend. If you're looking for a Beltane ritual in which you can take part, you're in luck! May-poles abound in Maine this weekend. Here's where you can find a May-pole to dance around and an open community with whom to celebrate.
Saturday, April 30check out the HOPE festival (http://peacectr.org/wp/category/calendar/hope-festival/) at the University of Maine in Orono. It's running from 11-4 at the Student Recreation and Fitness center and is host to a vast array of local social justice and educational groups. Just outside the Recreation and Fitness Center will be a Beltane celebration hosted by the student run spiritual organization W.I.K. (Working Inner Knowledge). W.I.K. will have 3 May-poles, each with 14 ribbons; festive Beltane bonfires; face painting; tarot, rune, and empathic readings; and tons of spiritual folks to meet and hang out with. The Beltane festivities start at 3PM and run until 7PM. For more information, visit W.I.K.'s website: http://www.umaine.edu/wik/
Sunday, May 1from 9AM-4PM is the 29th annual Beltane at the Beach celebration at Popham Beach in Phippsburg. At 11 AM will be the annual torch footrace. The winner is declared "Fleet of Foot and Beloved of Pan" for the upcoming year. Communal lunch happens around noon(ish), followed by a huge community circle and celebration - usually over 200 pagans from around the state! Bring 9 yards of any color ribbon if you'd like to dance the May-pole. Drums and other instruments are not only welcomed, but greatly appreciated as the festival dancers weave the pole. There is usually a small fee to get into the Popham Beach State Park. For more information, visit http://www.immanentgrove.org/beltane.htm.
Sunday, May 1at 7PM the Temple of the Feminine Divine is hosting an open community ritual at the Universalist Unitarian church, 120 Park Street in Bangor. No need to bring your own ribbon to this May-pole; it'll be all decked out when you get there. The Temple of the Feminine Divine welcomes all genders, all ages, and all flavors of faith. For more information visit their website http://www.templeofthefemininedivine.org/Home/history or find them on FaceBook.
Blessed Be!
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