The Wandering Walkers

This ost was supposed to go out before Beltane but you know how life is… Today we are talking about Beltane – a joyful, fiery sabbat that celebrates life in full bloom. Nestled between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, Beltane honors fertility, passion, vitality, and the sacred union of opposites (wink wink, C.J.). It’s a time of movement, light, and intention—perfect for reconnecting with the rhythms of the earth and celebrating all that is growing in and around us.

Traditionally, this Celtic fire festival was celebrated with bonfires, flower crowns, maypole dances, and rituals to bless the land and animals. People leapt over flames for good luck, and communities came together to welcome the fertile abundance of summer.

And while you and I may not have a maypole or a village fire, you can bring the spirit of Beltane into your own home or yard with simple, meaningful traditions—many of which are beautiful for families with kids.

Here’s how we’re celebrating today, and how you might too:

1. Pick Flowers & Make a Flower Crown

Phoenix and I spent the late afternoon walking through the garden picking blooms. We laid them all out on the table—dandelions, wildflowers, rosemary sprigs, anything beautiful and fresh—and wove flower crowns together. It’s such a sweet, tactile activity to do with children, and wearing a crown all day brings a fun sense of play and reverence. I would wear a flower crown all the time but Phoenix prefers his starry night crown.

2. Make a Seasonal Salad Straight from the Garden

We’ve got carrots popping up, tomatoes in abundance, a few left over romaine plants and fresh herbs everywhere, so it felt just right to harvest a few things and make a crisp Beltane salad. Phoenix loves pulling up the carrots himself—muddy roots and all—and helping to rinse them off. We tossed them with greens, edible flowers, radishes, tomatoes and a drizzle of homemade dressing. A perfect earth-to-table moment!

3. Create a Beltane Nature Altar

On our homeschool table aka our dining table, we set up a little seasonal altar with the flowers we picked, beeswax candles, some small tokens from our nature walks (bird nest, turkey tail mushrooms, crystals and incense. Altars can be as simple or elaborate as you like. What matters most is the intention behind them.

4. Light a Bonfire (or Candles) & Reflect on the Season

As the sun was setting, we gathered around the table lit with candles and talked about what’s growing in our lives—literally and metaphorically. We wrote down things we’re grateful for and what we want to invite in as summer approaches. Fire is such a powerful symbol of transformation, and Beltane is the perfect time to tend both physical and metaphorical flames.

5. Be Present, Laugh, and Connect

The most important part of Beltane? Presence. And as you know, we’ve been trying to practice being present more. Whether you’re dancing barefoot, gardening, cooking, or simply sitting in the sunshine with your family, allow yourself to slow down and feel the joy of this vibrant season. Let the children be wild, the salads be messy, and the laughter be loud. This is a time of celebration.

Beltane is about vitality, creation, connection—and there’s no one right way to honor it. If you spend the day in the garden, cooking with love, walking barefoot, or watching the stars, you’re living the spirit of the season.

Wishing you a joyful, grounded, and magical Beltane from our family to yours.