Beltane, Mama Lola and the Wild Feminine

Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is one of the most powerful festivals in the Wheel of the Year, marking the transition between spring and summer. But it’s more than just the halfway point between two seasons—it’s a celebration of fertility, vitality and the blooming of new possibilities. This ancient festival carries deep symbolic meaning, not only for those who follow pagan traditions but for anyone who wishes to reconnect with the primal energies of life, growth, and rebirth.

The Energy of Beltane: A Time of Intense Fertility and Creative Power

Beltane is first and foremost a festival of fertility, both in the natural world and within ourselves. The Earth has shaken off the cold of winter, and spring is in full bloom. Flowers burst open, trees are laden with blossoms, and the land is alive with the promise of abundance. The energy of Beltane mirrors this natural surge of life and invites us to step into a period of heightened creativity, fertility, and passion.

The festival is a celebration of life force energy—the raw, vibrant power that fuels not only the growth of the natural world but also our own creative potential. It’s a reminder that we are, at our core, connected to the cycles of nature. As the land grows and flourishes, so too do our ideas, projects, and desires. Beltane is about planting seeds—both literally, in the garden, and metaphorically, in our lives. It’s about initiating new ventures, planting dreams, and nurturing them with the energy and passion needed to bring them to fruition.

It is also a time for ceremony and ritual, where we come together to honor the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. In this spirit, we can draw inspiration from powerful spiritual figures like Mama Lola, the Voudou priestess whose life and work embody the very essence of the wild feminine and the transformative power of fire and ritual.

The Wild Feminine and the Power of Fire

Beltane is a festival that honors the wild feminine—an energy that is untamed, passionate, and free. It’s about reconnecting with the primal, life-giving forces that reside within each of us. The festival calls us to step into our creative power, to awaken the fiery spirit within us, and to celebrate the fullness of our desires, dreams, and possibilities. This energy mirrors the work of Mama Lola, a Voudou priestess who lived in deep alignment with the wild, transformative power of the feminine.

Mama Lola’s work was rooted in spiritual healing, ritual, and the ability to channel the powerful loa—the spirits of the Voudou tradition. She was known for her connection to the divine feminine, particularly the fierce, transformative energy of the goddess. Through ritual and ceremony, she guided her community to reclaim their own power and to embrace their fullest potential. In this way, Mama Lola embodied the wild feminine—an energy that nurtures, heals, and creates, but also one that is capable of fierce transformation, much like the fire of Beltane.

The fire of Beltane is not just a symbol of life, but of transformation. It is through fire that we burn away the old, the stagnant, and the limiting beliefs that hold us back. Just as the Earth comes alive in the spring with new growth, Beltane invites us to purify ourselves, to reignite our inner fire, and to create space for new dreams to take root. Mama Lola’s ceremonies were similarly transformative—through her rituals, she helped people clear away obstacles, heal from trauma, and step into their true power. The fire she worked with in her own ceremonies was a fire that cleansed, renewed, and sparked creativity.

In the flames of adversity, I found my fire. It is not in avoiding the storms of life, but in dancing through them, that we reclaim our power

Mama Lola: The Life and Legacy of a Voudou Priestess

Mama Lola was an extraordinary woman whose life and work in the Voudou tradition continue to inspire those seeking spiritual connection, healing, and empowerment. As a Voudou priestess, Mama Lola was a spiritual leader, healer, and guide to many. She was revered not only for her deep knowledge of Voudou rituals and ceremonies but also for her unwavering commitment to her community and her ability to bridge the realms of the physical and the divine.

Born in Haiti, Mama Lola’s journey into the Voudou tradition began early in life. Like many Voudou practitioners, she was initiated into the faith through a series of spiritual experiences that guided her into the priesthood. However, what set Mama Lola apart was her profound ability to serve as a medium for the spirits, channeling their energy and wisdom into the lives of those who sought her guidance. She was known for her powerful connection to the loa, the spirits of Voudou, and her ability to communicate with them on behalf of those in need.

Mama Lola’s work as a spiritual healer was deeply rooted in the understanding that the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms are interconnected. She helped people navigate life’s challenges—whether those challenges were related to love, family, work, or health—through rituals, prayers, and offerings. Her work was never one-dimensional; she believed that healing required a holistic approach that addressed the mind, body, and spirit.

She was also known for her wisdom in herbal medicine and spiritual cleansing practices. Many would come to Mama Lola seeking remedies for ailments, and she would often prepare tinctures, teas, and other herbal concoctions to help restore balance and health. This blending of Voudou tradition with practical healing methods made her a highly respected figure in her community.

A key aspect of Mama Lola’s work was her ability to conduct elaborate ceremonies and rituals, often involving music, dance, and possession by the loa. These ceremonies were deeply transformative experiences for those who participated, as they allowed individuals to connect with the divine, confront their fears, and gain spiritual insight. When Mama Lola conducted a ritual, she created a sacred space where individuals could shed their burdens and tap into the divine wisdom of the spirits.

In her rituals, Mama Lola often embodied the energy of the loa—especially the powerful female spirits—channeling their wisdom and strength. Her connection to the divine feminine was profound, and she used her work to empower others, especially women, to reclaim their own power. This was a radical act, as it allowed women to tap into their innate spiritual strength, take control of their lives, and heal from the wounds of the past.

A significant challenge in Mama Lola’s life was dealing with the racism and discrimination that came from living in America as a Black woman of Haitian descent. Throughout her life, she faced cultural and racial prejudices that were especially harsh in the context of her work in the Voudou tradition, which was often misunderstood or demonized by mainstream society.

Instead of allowing this systemic oppression to silence her or push her into hiding, Mama Lola embraced her heritage and used the very things others tried to suppress as a source of power. The Voudou traditions she practiced—often viewed with suspicion by outsiders—became her tool for empowerment and resistance. She never backed down from her cultural roots, and she used her position as a priestess to advocate for the preservation and respect of her traditions.

Through these challenges, Mama Lola became a powerful voice for those who had been silenced by oppressive forces. She showed that, despite societal pressures, we can rise up in strength and pride, refusing to let others dictate who we are or what we can achieve. Her defiance in the face of racism not only honored her heritage but also allowed others to see that there is power in embracing one’s identity, regardless of what the world around us may say.

Another profound hardship Mama Lola experienced was the loss of loved ones. Death is a theme that runs deeply through the Voudou tradition, and as a priestess, Mama Lola witnessed the passing of many within her community. While she was often the one guiding others through their grief, there were moments when she too had to confront the pain of loss.

Yet, Mama Lola’s approach to grief was rooted in her spiritual understanding of the cyclical nature of life. She recognized that death was not an end but a transformation, a return to the divine. Her work as a Voudou priestess allowed her to understand and accept that loss was part of the natural flow of life. Rather than being crushed by grief, she used her experiences with loss to help others heal, showing them how to honor their loved ones and continue their journeys in a world that constantly changes.

One of the most important elements of Mama Lola’s work was her ability to create community. She was a figure who brought people together, whether they were seeking spiritual healing, guidance, or simply a space to feel seen and heard. Her work wasn’t just about individual healing; it was about creating a collective sense of belonging, support, and spiritual growth. Mama Lola was a symbol of strength, resilience, and wisdom, and her influence continues to reverberate within the Voudou community and beyond.

Her life was a testament to the power of the divine feminine—an energy that is nurturing, transformative, and fiercely protective. She honored the sacred cycles of life and death, creation and destruction, and she guided others to do the same. Mama Lola’s legacy reminds us of the importance of ritual and ceremony in reconnecting with our deepest selves, with the spirits, and with the Earth. Through her work, she demonstrated that spiritual healing is not just about fixing what is broken, but about empowering individuals to step into their full power, to honor their wildness, and to live in harmony with the divine forces that shape our lives.

Mama Lola's life was also a reminder that the path of spirituality and healing is one of constant growth and transformation. She embodied the wild, untamed energy of the divine feminine—always evolving, always learning, and always guiding others toward greater self-awareness, healing, and spiritual liberation. Her legacy continues to inspire those who seek a deeper, more authentic connection with themselves, with each other, and with the divine.

In this way, Mama Lola stands as a beacon of what it means to live fully and unapologetically in the world, to embrace one’s spiritual gifts, and to use those gifts to heal, guide, and empower others. Through her life’s work, she demonstrated that the divine feminine is not just a passive force; it is an active, powerful energy that, when channeled with intention and respect, can transform not only our own lives but also the world around us.

Beltane, with its vibrant energy of fire, fertility, and ritual, is the perfect time to celebrate the wild feminine—an energy that burns brightly in the heart of every woman, every person, who dares to dance freely, to reclaim their power, and to ignite the fire of transformation within themselves.