Beltane is an ancient festival of fertility and sexuality which celebrates nature's amazing ability to reproduce itself. Set at the beginning of May, when the world is brimming with sensual vitality, Beltane connects us to the flowering that is taking place all around us. A day for appreciation of our bodies and their divine capacity for pleasure, the ancient Beltane honored sex in its creative aspect, as the great joy-giver and bringer-in of new life.  As we picture our ancestors weaving their garlands around the maypole, both a phallic symbol and representative of the great World-Tree, we remember a time when sex was not a sin.  When open and guiltless lovemaking in the fields was a sacred act that was believed to promote a greater harvest in the fall. Beltane is a reclamation of the body's holiness.  Honor this magic by making love today, in whatever fashion that may be!