Beltane. Using the Earth's Energy to Increase Vitality.
In earth-based spirituality, we now pay attention to the Beltane season and its offerings:
Wildness
Physical Union
Fertility
Watch my video to learn how to create more vitality and sensuality.
Beltane is the cross quarter between spring and summer.
Energies and activities are increasing.
The masculine and feminine are rising to meet in union.
THEMES:
Fertility
Physicality
Virility
Sacred Union
Potentiality
Sensuality
Sexuality
Wildness
Hopefully by now having moved through winter and the first part of spring, you have the basics in place:
your sacred space designated and activated;
intentions set;
an exercise routine that matches the season;
an awareness of each season’s flavor and message.
⚘CHAKRA FOCUS:
CHAKRA #2 (Sacral)
is located at the lower abdomen, about four fingers below the navel. The attributes of Sacral Chakra are the basic needs for sexuality, desires, creativity and self-worth.
⚘MEETS⚘
CHAKRA #3 (Solar Plexus)
is located above the navel at the solar plexus (between the navel and the bottom of the rib cage). The energy of the Solar Plexus involves feelings of power, self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem.
Photo by nappy from Pexels
⚘BODY:
How might you enliven your sensuality as a woman?
I hear more and more women expressing a sort of deadness with regard to their own sensuality. This may be an indication of many things including a denial of your own feminine sensuality and sexuality or perhaps life events that have not allowed sufficient focus in these areas. For whatever reasons, we sometimes become cut off from our own feminine powers. If this is an area for which you would like to experience more vitality and joy, this is a perfect time for exploration.
Whether you live alone or with a partner, are in relationship or single, it’s beneficial to focus on increasing sensual pleasures in an effort to become more whole as a woman. When we realize our own sensuality and get in touch with that part of ourselves, we come to understand how empowered we can become in our own lives.
When we love ourselves in a sensual way and become empowered within the feminine mystique, we come to understand how to better share that experience with another and love or empower another in the same way and without shame.
I suggest starting solo. Create private time for yourself to explore, in a slow and deliberate way, the different sensations your body responds to. Relax, light candles and create a romantic space for yourself using your favorite soft music and your favorite smells. Really get in tune and enjoy different tactile sensations with yourself.
Look at yourself in the mirror. Just relax. Notice one thing to like about your body and start where you are. Don’t like what you see? Then start with your posture. Stand up straight, shoulders back and thank your skeleton and muscles for holding you up!
Have you ever flirted with your self? Try it! Maintain good eye contact with yourself...explore your flirty and playful side!
No matter what age, find what makes you feel the most sensual and playful.
No Shame in this Game
As you move forward, continue exploring and opening up to yourself and/or your partner in sensual ways, one little step at a time.
Perhaps you explore intimate toys.
Perhaps you try on your new-found power by initiating intimacy. Initiating intimacy is especially good if you like control...use it in a sexy, empowering way!
Or perhaps you explore stepping outside your normal box with some small thing like a piece of lingerie or similar.
Image by Patrikphotos from Pixabay
⚘MIND:
Recognizing and appreciating the masculine.
Is there a part of you that secretly wants to become more wild, more powerful, more aggressive? Play with that in your mind as you explore your body.
It’s ok to allow these energies to surface…they are natural parts of each of us. Again, no guilt or shame here ladies! Natural thoughts are not shameful. Shadowy, maybe...but that's for another blog. It's all good, just go with it.
You may or may not choose to keep these “secrets” very private. Relax into whatever comes up for you and know there is no “wrong” here.
Image by Elias Sch. from Pixabay
⚘SPIRIT:
What makes you feel alive?
How might you align yourself with the power of spring to bring new life into your spirit?
Perhaps you dress your home and sacred space with flowers and greenery.
Perhaps you move your body to dance in ways that feel spiritual and freeing for you.
BRINGING IT ALL TOGETHER:
THINGS YOU MIGHT DO
Conceive a new project.
Dress your home and sacred space with flowers and greenery.
Adjust your exercise routine to focus on Beltane themes (below).
Image by Pexels from Pixabay
⚘TAPPING INTO BODY WISDOM:
EXERCISE PRACTICE
Now we want to focus on increasing our movement and getting outdoors as much as possible with exercise.
But remember, we are NEVER in a race.
We respect our bodies by pacing ourselves and staying present within our bodies as we move.
This is a practice you can do everyday from now until Summer Solstice.
Remember, this isn't a race!
This practice is involved and takes a long time to master.
You can give yourself permission to read the instructions every time before you go out until you pick up more and more each time.
It's a practice, not a tool.
Your goal is understand this new way of walking and requires mindfulness.
Find a walking route out in nature with at least 1 hill.
Have a full water bottle and music that feels right for this moment.
⚘THE FOCUS:
Standing up Straight
Chakra 2 (Sacral)
Chakra 3 (Solar Plexus)
We want to use our body to activate energy in Chakras 2 and 3.
The focus is not distance or speed.
It doesn’t matter how far you go or how fast.
That is not body wisdom.
Your only focus,
your only goal is...
WALK STANDING UP STRAIGHT
(even up a hill)
⚘Notice:
your skeleton.
As you walk, envision it standing straight. Head up as though you're carrying imaginary books on the top of your head.
Rib cage upright, yes...you have breasts. It's ok.
Shoulders back.
Navel to spine.
Ask:
Do I feel sluggish anywhere?
Why? (Relax. Notice. Listen)
⚘Notice:
your muscles.
What do you notice about your body as you hold your skeleton up straight?
What muscles need more engagement to stand up straight?
Engage your stomach muscles. Navel to spine.
Feel the energy between your genitals and stomach as you walk standing up straight.
Ask:
Are my hips swinging naturally?
Am I noticing any rigidity?
What might rigidity be telling you?
What's happening with my bottom? (Just notice.)
Create energy with your mind in this space (Chakras 2 & 3) as you walk.
Shoulders back, shoulder blade and back muscles engaging.
Ask:
What does it mean to have vitality in this space?
What does vitality feel like in Chakras 2 & 3?
⚘Notice:
your head.
Head up. Looking forward and out across the horizon.
Ask:
How do I feel walking with my gaze straight ahead?
Where do I feel power in my body? (Solar Plexus!)
Pay attention to how your body, mind and spirit
might work together to create
more energy for Chakras 2 and 3.
⚘Notice:
aches, pains, tension.
Ask:
Do I feel any tension? Why is that there? (Relax, notice, listen).
Is there pain? Maybe I should slow down until I can move at a pace with little to no pain. What is that pain trying to tell me about my life? (Relax, notice, listen).
Any aches? Use your mind to engage the surrounding muscles to bring support to that area. Your whole body needs to support every other part.
Drink water, water, water and use your mind to send liquid relief to the cells residing in those areas.
Slow down until you are at a comfortable pace for those areas. Your body will tell you how much further you can go before you need to turn around.
Slow down and simply notice and listen.
As you walk up your hill(s), continue focusing on your skeleton and keeping it upright and straight.
Continue using your mind to stay present with your muscles as you move up the hill.
Do not focus on the top of the hill. You will get there.
If you tire or slow down, it’s ok.
Only go as fast as your upright skeleton will allow.
It’s not a race, it’s about attention.
You may gaze down to the ground beneath you for more focus and presence if getting winded. Use that oxygen to enliven your cells.
Afterward your walk, spend time in your sacred space and journal your discoveries with staying present.
How was this practice different from how you usually exercise?
What did you learn and/or notice about your emotional self, if anything?
