Inner Union, Hidden potential, and the igniting of the creative spark.

Hatha yoga and Beltane, the magic of cohesion.

Spring has her special brand of magic infused in child-like wonder. Everything is highlighted in the golden glow of fluorescence. You can even smell the the earthy scent of new growth and go drowsy on the lullaby of birds singing sweet melodies. Inspired by Beltane, the calendar recognizes the midpoint between the spring equinox and summer solstice as a high holy day, the catalyst for transformation. Historically, Celtic and Pagan traditions followed an agrarian calendar and synchronized their inner clock with the potency of nature.

Bring it all to the light, from unconscious to conscious.

During the dark months of the year, we are initiated into shadow work, which allows us to delve deep within ourselves and explore our emotions and behaviors. When we go inward with inquiry, we can untangle ourselves from patterns that have long gone unseen. It may be a challenging process, but it also offers reconciliation, as we lovingly accept the darker aspects of our psyche that may have been hidden, dismissed or suppressed. Pure as gold, what we deny surfaces in the gift of truth. A beautiful alchemy of acknowledgement, unconscious becomes conscious.

Creation, Manifestation, and Consummation:

What does this mean for us as we take to the yoga mat or meditation cushion?

It means a lot. Hold on tight, here we go.

Beltane and yoga share the theme of union and the coming together of the masculine and feminine energies. The term "Hatha Yoga" is derived from the Sanskrit words "ha" and "tha," which symbolize the union of two opposites – the solar (ha/masculine) and lunar (tha/feminine). In harmonizing the relationship of the masculine and feminine principles, we bring balance to the light and dark, conscious and unconscious, yin and yang, pingala and ida, right brain and left brain. When we honor the dance of the individual feminine and masculine within, we move through cycles of creation, manifestation, and consummation in a merging of polarities.

Celebrate the divine feminine in her creation.

The divine feminine fuels our creativity, intuition and reception. With her dynamic and mystical engagement we are gifted with art, beauty, and sensuality. In the climax of spring celebrate pleasure. Live through the senses.

Try some sensual rituals for inner union and creative spark.

• Anoint- Tap into the power of essential oils. Wear or diffuse floral notes to awaken romance and sensuality. Try these fragrant blooms: Neroli, jasmine, bergamot, lavender. Add flower petals to your bath. Use edible flowers in some new recipes.

• Adorn- Dress ( or undress)  in your finest. Put on clothes, scarves, lip gloss, jewelry… adorn yourself with things that reflect your beauty. Or go naked and linger in exquisite sensuality.

• Adore- Share with those you love. Deepen the connection, the community, the union with the ones around you that fill your heart.

• Acknowledge-Have a Bonfire. Beltane is marked by many fire ceremonies to represent the burning away and bringing lightness to the dark. If there is anything you gained from the cooler months of introspection, see the shadows as they are. Make peace and love with the parts of yourself you deem unlovable. Acknowledge the whole of who you are with grace.

• Activate- Our ideas, our goals, our dreams are steeped in the power of creativity. Full of potential, it’s time to manifest. As we emerge in the light half of the year, it is time to ignite in our desire and empower through action.  

• Attune- The pandemic shut down, filled us with necessity over pleasure and worry over joy. Prioritize pleasure: Remember and redefine what it is that delivers simple pleasure. Reclaim Joy: Make a list of all the things that bring you joy and weave as many as possible throughout your day.

• Asana-Moon salutation, Heart-openers (fish, cobra, bow, wheel and kingdancer) and hip openers (Pigeon, butterfly, happy baby and goddess) harmonize the yin energy. 

• Alternate nostril breathing- also known as brain breathing, balances the masculine (pingala) and feminine (ida) nadis (two of the main energetic channels). 

  

In the Northern Hemisphere, the midpoint of spring marks the end of the dark half of the year and the beginning of the light. In the light of reflection and introspection what has been concealed in the unconscious is revealed. Be compassionate. Be Conscious. It’s a time of fertile unfurling, both in our surroundings and deep within yourself. Another turn of the wheel yields an opportunity to align with the elements and synchronize your rhythm to the pulse of the universe. In the climax of spring find flow and cultivate your creative prowess. Surge in the electricity of your senses.

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