Woodland Beltane Rite & Maypole dance (in London)

Join us to celebrate BELTANE 2025 in the woods.. with a Pagan Ceremony & Maypole Dance. We'll drum, dance, do magic and have a feast. We will collect all attendees at 2pm from the entrance to Queens' Woods (the entrance on Queen's Wood lane), lead all to our prepared Ritual space, and begin our Beltane Festivities.

About Beltane:

`The veil between the world of men and fairy (or spirit) is said to thin twice a year, at Beltane and at Samhain, which are on opposite points of the year wheel. At Beltane (May eve) the land is at it’s most lush and green, and fertile. If Spring Equinox is the time of fertility and mating in the animal kingdom, then Beltane is one of courting couples making commitment to one another- and Handfastings! In the God-Goddess myths, this is when the playful God is said to commit to the Goddess – which is symbolised by the Sacred Marriage! The Maypole dance that is traditional at this time symbolises the fertile powers of the masculine, penetrating the land, and the ribbons danced and woven around it lock that power! A ring of flower at the tip of the Maypole signifies the feminine. Magical working with the Fay (Fairies) is an important feature at this time, in contrast to the magical work with the departed spirits at Samhain, the opposite point'
(written by Mani for http://www.WitchcraftandMagic.uk )

Please bring food & drinks to share for the feast and social..
Ground sheets will be good to sit on.. .
Wear sensible warm, water proof clothing.. as well as any seasonal decorative items like cloaks, robes, capes, flower crowns..

Entrance fee: £9 (+charges) via eventbrite. or £9 cash at event.

Venue: Queen's Wood, High Gate.
These events are held in a public Open woods, with rough terrain, and in natural weather conditions .

Meeting point
(please go to this entrance.. NOT the cafe one)

Gather at The entrance to Queen's Woods at 2pm.
(Queen's wood Road, N6 5UU) .
Google map ref: 51.580240, -0.142252
Ritual Team member will come to collect you, and process into the woods, to our ritual space, where Ritual will commence.

** Health: If you feel unwell (even if it's just cough/ cold) please stay at home. There will be plenty of other socials that you can attend in the future. It will be unfair to spread any germs to other people at this festive time.

General conduct & inclusivity:----------

Please be kind, compassionate and on good behaviour throughout the whole gathering. We have a mixture of experienced & beginners at these rituals. Also, some people may have hidden difficulties, vulnerability and disabilities.

• We are inclusive of all race, pagan beliefs, genders, sexuality, LGBTQP+
• We will not tolerate any form of bullying harassment or discrimination.
• While organisers are not experts, we will do our best to safeguard.

What to bring? (optional)--------

• Moon crowns, flower crowns, antler crowns ( real or artifical craft items).
• Ritual cloaks / capes, masks you may like to wear.
• Torch light for safe walking in woods/ riverside at night.
• Extra warm clothing & rain-coats/ outdoor shoes or boots (and ankle covered socks! ).
• Small ground sheet or blanket to sit on for social.
• Lanterns / candles
• Your own Cups/chalice to drink from.

Please bring food & drinks to share ------------

Organisers bring a small amout of food & wine to put on altar and bless to share. Kindly bring some food or drinks to add to the feasting. It can be vegetarian, vegan or meat items. All are okay. Thank you. Example:

• Bread / pitta bread, french bread
• Humus, dips, butter, cheese, biscuits, crisps
• egg bites, ham / chicken slices
• fruits, nuts
• Red/ white wine, soft drinks, fruit juice,

Tidying up:-----

please be helpful ..

• Take any rubbish out to bins on pavements (empty botles, wrappers, used paper cups. Recycling items like empty bottles and cans may need to be taken home, or to the bins near Woodlman pub where there are recycling bins.
• If there are unopened food items, please share thme out and take them home. Organisers have full bags coming in and can't take these food home, no matter how well your intentions.

Policy at Beltane Maypole Event :----

NO Drugs, NO filming during ritual !
No children at this event, as Beltane ritual explores some themes such as sacred marriage, divine sex etc.

During Maypole dance, some limited photos may be taken, but NO professional photos with DSLR/ No videos for any use in journalism/ publications etc. We aim to create a safe event free from such media intrusion / marketting.
(No we don't need any free media publicity. Thanks!)

Contacting Organiser:
Please send us a private message if you need more info . We get very busy with preparations and travel on the day of ritual. So pls avoid last minute enquiries / comments.
We look forward to sharing our magic with you.

Bright Blessings
-Mani & London Woodland Witches .
----

About Paganism :
Pagans believe in the power of nature, and see the Divine as both male & female- as having many God & Goddess forms. Modern pagan practitioners use belief systems, images and symbols from ancient paths (Celtic, Egyptian, Druids, Witches, Mayans, Native Amerindians, Aborigini, Hindu,Norse and so on). Powers of elements -- air, fire, water, earth, nature spirits, angels, dragons, fairies, spirit animals, ceremonial magic and more are all integrated in modern rituals.

About Wicca:
Wicca, a moder form of Witchcraft religion, was established by Gerald Gardner in late 1950's in England (Gardnerian Wicca), then Alex Saunders (Alexandrian Wicca) with promient contributions from High Priestesses Doreen Valiente (mother of moder wicca) and Maxine Sanders. Wicca has a format of creating sacred space, consecrations, calling 4 elements, energy raising, then invoking Horned Good & moon Goddesses, followed by ritual magic! Wiccans celebrate the 13 full moons (esbats) and the 8-fold seasonal sabats - Imbolc, Spring, Beltane, Midsummer, Lammas, Autumn, Samhain, Yule.

About the Organiser :
Mani is an author, teacher, initiated Witch & High Priest, with nearly 30yrs of Wicca & magical experiences. Mani has a Physics B.Sc degree, training in Transpersonal Psychology & counselling, and also blends some Hindu & Shamanic practices into these pagan rituals.

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