Beltaine
by Tara Sutphen
Beltaine is the “Celebration of the Light”,the light time of the year. The dark time being remembered by Samhain. May 1 is the day in the middle of the spring and the summer equinox’ (15*Taurus). May Day is the time for love and the happiness of summer on it’s way.
Beltane is a celebration of the union of souls, The union of minds, and the union of bodies. The earth mother calls her progeny to replenish the earth. Flowers decorate hair and everywhere. Maypole ribbon dances, with two circles interweaving around a decorated tree or pole, clockwise dance circles. Bonfires or candles to spark the sacred fire of union and fertility.
Druids and Pagans raised the Beltaine fires on hilltops on May Eve, the fires were lit in order to bring the sun’s light down to earth. Earth awakening from it’s long winter nap and the flowers are in bloom and frolicking abounds. Joy alights your body, mind, and spirit, the colors become brighter, you see the best in everyone, casting away all worries and doubts you collected over the winter time.All nightmares become daydreams of love, hope and harmony.
Beltaine or Beltane is an anglicization of the Irish “Bealtaine” or the Scottish “Bealtuinn.” — “bel,”brilliant”, “tene” “fire”
Things to do on Beltaine alone or with a group
Create a Beltaine circle or group
Buy or Pick flowers
potluck
maywine (alcoholic or non alcoholic)
Candles, Fireplace, Bonfire — Lighting a fire with a blessing
May pole (you can use a tree if you don’t have a pole) garnish w. greenery and flowers – tie long ribbon
If you create a May pole, make lots of wishes while you walk clockwise into your future, and at the end of wrapping the ribbon say a blessing for yourself and end with “to love and be loved, So it is”. If the tree/pole ribbons pretty and sturdy enough you could leave until Samhain.
Some of the questions that you can ask your friends or family are:
What were the highlights in your winter? Everyone must come up with at least one if not several highlights. What are the dreams to enliven your spring and summer? Every one should convey their intentions for the summer.
Making Maywine
Ingredients
• 2 bottles of dry white wine
• 2 cups strawberry liqueor
• 5 thin orange slices
• and/or
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 12 sprigs of woodruff
• 1 teaspoon sugar (more or less, as preferred)
• Edible flowers (to be added after all ingredients have been mixed together)
Directions
Soak the dried woodruff overnight in the wine.
Add the rest of the ingredients, stir with a wooden spoon, and let it steep for an hour or so.
Serve very cold, with edible flowers floating atop in the punch bowl.
The taste is both sweet and fruity.
Non-Alcoholic version: Substitute sparkling water and grape juice, sparkling water and apple juice
wood·ruff Audio Help (wŏŏd’rəf, -rŭf’) Pronunciation Key
n.
1. A fragrant perennial herb (Galium odoratum) native to Eurasia and North Africa and widely cultivated as a shade ground cover, having small white flowers and narrow leaves used for flavoring wine and in sachets. Also called sweet woodruff.
2. Any of various plants of the genus Asperula, having whorled leaves and small funnel-shaped flowers.
Woodruff is sold in the herb section at markets and nurserys..
Edible Flowers
Alliums…chive flowers
Borage
Basil Flower Blossoms
Broccoli Florets. those little yellow flowers
Citrus Blossoms
Nasturtiums
Rose Pedals
Johnny Jump Up
Pansy
Mint Flowers
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