How to make an altar-sized Maypole
(Craft project for Beltane)
Materials:
Directions:
Either drill hole into the flat wood base to insert pole or simply glue it to the bottom securely. Glue four equal lengths of ribbon to top, and seal knob on pole with glue, on top of the ribbons. Glue or place decorative items around base.
Ritual use:
During ritual, the maypole can be wound. Simply weave the ribbons in and out of each other in as pleasing a pattern as possible, fastening with sticky-tac or other less permanent adhesive (so that this apparatus can be used again next year in ritual). The symbolism of the maypole is that of the male phallic symbol (the pole itself) being enveloped by the female vaginal symbol (the ribbons). Also, the winding, when done in a traditional form by dancers around a full-sized maypole, sometimes symbolize male-female mating with the red and white ribbons themselves. (It depends on your preferred method of using symbols.) In the end, you have a consummated lovemaking symbolized, for a perfect mood-enhancer during the fertile months of summer ahead. It emphasizes the bounty of nature, and the pleasure of the "dance" that makes it possible.
Pagan craft projects