Blessed Beltane

Beltane (or May Day) is the last Sabbat of the waxing year. The next holiday is Summer Solstice, the zenith of the light from which the year begins to wane. Beltane is the approaching height of fertility and is a feast of fires and flowers...the Goddess’s and the Earth’s passion to bloom and bear fruit. 


Brightness and abundance are present everywhere at Beltane...in the greening and blooming of the land...the colors of the May pole...the candles and brightness of the women’s clothes. Where Spring Equinox colors were pastels, Beltane’s are rose for new love or primary colors that emphasize brightness and fertility.

Beltane Starts: the evening of April 30th, concluding at sunset of May 1st, Actual Day: the date on which the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus.


Activities and Rituals:
fertilize, nurture and boost existing goals, games, activities of pleasure, leaping bonfires, making garlands, May Pole dance, planting seeds, walking one’s property, feasting


Colors:
Red, White, Brown, Pink, Green


Tools:
Broom, May Pole, cauldron


Stones/Gems:
Emerald, malachite, amber, orange carnelian, sapphire, rose
quartz


Symbols and Decorations:
May Pole, fires, fertility, flowers, growing things, ploughs, cauldrons of flowers

A Fairy Spell for Beltane

In a woodland clearing, spread a clean green cloth. On it place
small cakes or offerings and flowers, especially  roses and primroses, in a circle. Imagine the magic around you and say:


“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.”


Leave the items and walk around the cloth three times, then slowly
walk the path back to your home. Listen for the sound of laughter and bells and know you are blessed. Beltane is the time when fairies return from their winter rest, carefree and full of mischief and delight. 

On the night before Beltane, it is said, people would place Rowan branches at their windows and doors for protection. This is also a perfect time for night or predawn rituals to draw down power to promote fertility in body and mind. 


At Beltane, the Pleiades star cluster rises just before sunrise on the morning horizon. The Pleiades is known as the seven sisters, and resembles a tiny dipper-shaped pattern of six moderately bright stars in the constellation of Taurus, near the shoulder. If weather permitting, watch for it low in the east-northeast sky.. just a few minutes before sunrise.

A Beautiful Day

What a beautiful day we had yesterday, the children and I all made flower baskets and flower wreaths to give out to neighbors and family, we sang a few songs and ate a very nice meal outside in the evening. The weather couldn't have been more perfect, it was a little bit windy towards evening but we all enjoyed ourselves very much.

I noticed some gorgeous mini rose plants in the local Safeway store...on sale for Mother's Day...and of course I couldn't pass up grabbing a few. Okay, I grabbed exactly four...one for my roommate, one for her mom, one for an elderly neighbor and...look, one left over for myself...what a bonus! I planted the two roses in a nice green pot on the porch so we can all enjoy them...they even have a heavenly fragrance! (That's almost unheard of in miniature florist style roses!)

I'm a bit worn out from all the fresh air and activity so I'm going to cut it a bit short, as I write my blogs around ten o'clock the evening before, so I hope that everyone enjoyed their Beltane or May Day...which ever suits you best. Enjoy your Saturday, and blessed be to you all!

Blessed Beltane

Songs For Beltane

Merry, Merry Month of May

(To the tune of "I Was Strolling through the Park One Day")
words by Tina Galfo

Let us sing a joyful song today,
In this merry, merry month of May.
Let us dance the circle round,
And give out a joyful sound,
As we welcome spring the good old Pagan way.

The flowers bloom,
The birdies sing.
Around us is the beauty
Spring can bring.

Let us show our gratitude today,
For this merry, merry month of May.
For our Gracious Goddess grants,
All this beauty that enchants,
So lets us feast, and dance, and sing, and gaily play.

***************
Springtime

(To the tune of "Simple Gifts")
words by Tina Galfo

Tis the time now of Springtime,
And Our Lady fair.
When the birds sing gaily
Flying through the air.
And the sweetly scented flowers
In their garments bright,
Color hills and meadows,
What a lovely sight.
Then dance and sing a joyful song,
While all around us new life sings along.
There's peace, love, and joy everywhere,
Let it in your heart, to abide there.

Beltane Is Coming

Beltane, also known as May Eve, May Day, and Walpurgis Night, happens at the beginning of May. It celebrates the height of spring and the flowering of life. The Goddess manifests as the May Queen and Flora. The God emerges as the May King and Jack in the Green. The danced Maypole represents Their unity, with the pole itself being the God and the ribbons that encompass it, the Goddess. Colors are the Rainbow spectrum. Beltane is a festival of flowers, fertility, sensuality, and delight.

Fun Things To Do:

*Prepare a May basket by filling it with flowers and goodwill and then give it to someone in need of healing and caring, such as a shut-in or elderly friend.
*Form a wreath of freshly picked flowers, wear it in your hair, and feel yourself radiating joy and beauty.
*Dress in bright colors.
*Dance the Maypole and feel yourself balancing the Divine Female and Male within.
*Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck.
*Welcome in the May at dawn with singing and dancing.

Fried Honeycakes

These cakes are not unlike those made on the night before Beltane by women around the turn of the century. These cakes were left in the garden to please Faery visitors.

*1/2 cup sweet white wine
*2 tablespoons sugar
*1 egg
*1 cup honey
*2/3 cup flour
*1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
*1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
*Oil for frying
*1/8 teaspoon salt

Beat the wine & egg in a medium bowl. Combine the flour, cinnamon, salt & sugar in a small bowl. Stir into the egg mixture. Let stand 30 minutes. Combine the honey & nutmeg in a small bowl. Heat 1/2-inch of the oil in a frying pan until hot, but not smoking. Drop the batter into the oil 1 tablespoon at a time; fry until golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Dip into the honey.

Yield: 1 1/2 Dozen.