Summer Cross Quarter Day: Beltane Festival

03 May, 2026

High Day: Summer Cross Quarter, more commonly known as Beltane. Since we worked from the Welsh Hearth Culture, it was really a Calan Haf rite... even though we were at a Beltane Festival!

Location: Beltane Festival at The Carriage House at the Howard Steamboat Museum in Jeffersonville, Indiana

Hearth Culture: Welsh

Being of the Occasion: Rhiannon

Druid in Charge: Valerie

Seer: Siri

The Protogrove was honored to be allowed to perform this rite at public event, hosted by Priddy Dreams. It was a beautiful day and the perfect way to kick off the Summer Season. It was truly moving to see so many people engaging in ritual, some for the first time. It was also wonderful to make connections and meet some Friends of the Protogrove for the first time! ❤️

A sign propped against an easel says

Under a bright blue sky, about 30 people stand around a Maypole decorated with a rainbow of colored ribbons. Some are holding the ribbons, preparing to weave them around the pole in a traditional Maypole Dance.

A small group of people is lined up around an altar decorated for Beltane. Two Druid people wearing dresses and antlers stand behind the altar. In front of the altar, a man with a young child on his shoulders raises a bottle, preparing to make an offering.

A Druid wearing antlers stands behind the altar, smiling at a teen wearing a flower crown and shuffling cards.

A smiling Druid with long brown hair, wearing antlers, a gemstone necklace and a maroon shirt.

Four smiling Druids stand behind the altar. The altar is decorated for ritual with a branch standing in a pot and several jars, bowls and pitchers.

A bamboo plate covered in offerings: a bag of trail mix, two carnations, some rose petals, cornmeal, a snack cake, a small piece of red heart-shaped jewelry.

The altar after the ritual, covered in offerings, candles, bowls, pitchers, and a colorful vase of flowers.

Omen Siri used the Seasons of the Witch: Beltane Oracle deck.

The cards drawn were The Maiden and Honey.

Two cards: The Maiden, which depicts a dark skinned woman wearing gold jewelry and a red dress with the Full Moon behind her; and Honey, which depicts the face of a dark skinned woman whose eyes drip with golden tears of honey.

A Maypole stands in front of the Carriage House, under a bright blue sky, covered in colorful ribbons that were woven around it during the Maypole Dance. There is a lovely bouquet of flowers at the top of the pole.

Posted by Holly on May 18th, 2026