We did our first formal ritual since Mabon! Our rituals for Yule, Imbolc, and Ostara were not formal by any means. I think the kids like the formal rituals more, especially when they are as interactive as this one.
We made a Maypole!

We went to Lowes and found a 3” diameter 6’ dowel. We got fabric ribbon in our choices of colors. I stapled them to the top. We played pan-flute forest fairy music and danced around the pole. It was joyful.
We started with a glamor then called in the elements. Each of us read a Fae poem and made an offering to the Fae. Then we ribboned the Maypole. After, we held hands and danced around the pole to a second song.
I set up half the yard with our formal ritual candle holders and we blessed the Circle with each of us holding a smudge stick, then a bell or drum, then a smudge stick again. We chose smoke twice to represent the fires of Beltane.

Here is our whole ritual:
Fire:
Heat from the south
Ice:
Cold from the north
Fire:
Heat from the south
Ice:
Cold from the north
Fire:
Heat from the south
Ice:
Cold from the North
Mist:
Fire melts the ice. The water mixes with the heat to make steam. The ice cools the steam to make mist. The mist fills the gap between fire and ice, there there was nothing. Mist of the world from where all life springs.
Fire, ice, mist together:
We are hidden now in the mist, no longer in this world yet not wholly in the otherworld. We walk the space between, in the mist, blessed by fire and ice.
North:
We call upon the Guardians of the North, the heart of the land. Bless us with your patience and ground us in this moment. Hail and welcome Spirits of Earth.
East:
We call upon the Guardians of the East, the wisdom of the wind. Bless us with your open communication, that we may be present to hear your message. Hail and welcome Spirits of Air.
South:
We call upon the Guardians of the South, the purifying flame. Bless us with your passion, lighting our path of inspiration. Hail and welcome Spirits of Fire.
West:
We call upon the Guardians of the West, the cleansing droplets. Bless us with your refreshing waves and help us to feel and heal our gamut of emotions. Hail and welcome Spirits of Water.
Song Earth my Body
<Walk around with smoke>
I cast this Circle all around
Consecrating sacred ground
Earth below and sky above
Bless us now with light and love
Water Sprite and Fire Griffin
As without so within
<Walk around again with bells>
<Walk around again with smoke>
We in rhymes of 3
As we will it so mote it be.
Witchlette:
O Fairy Queen, upon your white steed,
Within me plant a magic seed.
From you may spring
Many new beginnings.
Great Queen, accept these offerings.
Witchling:
Beloved Folk hidden at night
I call upon Your lovely sight
Moonlight shares your time, divine
Accept these humble gifts of mine
So over me your light may shine
Mama Witch:
Fairies from far and wide,
I offer you a gift,
Tied up in green for luck,
And sealed with a kiss.
I can sense you
If I’m pure of heart,
Bless me with good luck
To boost my Witch’s art.
Maypole dance with forest pan flute music
(Cakes and Ale)
West:
Thank you Water for joining us today. May we continue to embrace all of our emotions. Hail and farewell.
South:
Thank you Fire for joining us today. May we continue to have balance in all we do. Hail and farewell.
East:
Thank you Air for joining us today. May we continue to listen to your messages, whether sent on wind or wing. Hail and farewell.
North:
Thank you Earth for joining us today. May we continue to be grounded and present in all we do. Hail and welcome Spirits if Earth.
Song May the Circle be Open
Mist:
As the mist condenses, we see the land from flesh, the mountains from bone, the rivers from blood, and the stones from teeth. As the mist recedes, we are harkened back to the garden in the middle of Yggdrasil. When the mist evaporates, we are once again fully in our world and no longer between worlds.
Fire: The fire returns to Muspelheim
Ice: The ice returns to Niflheim