SECTION I - HOLIDAY LORE

Beltane and Samhain - Opposite and Connected By Ahneke Greystone
Planetary Ritual for Beltane - Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell
Beltane Word Search - Isha ArrowHawk
Beltane - The Embrace - Ahneke Greystone
Beltane Recipes - Gathered by Isha ArrowHawk
Once Upon A Beltane Eve - Review by Midnight Grey Wolfpup

Beltane and Samhain - Opposite and Connected
By Ahneke Greystone

In Celtic tradition, the two great festivals are Beltane and Samhain - the beginning of Summer and Winter. To the Celts the year had two seasons, not the four (and later eight) that came to be. The roots of these ancient holidays go back to a time when humanity was not settled and raising crops. Rather, we were following the seasonal migration of animals and beginning to take the first steps in animal husbandry. As time went by and society settled geographically and began to focus additionally on agriculture, the festivals of Imbolc and Lughnasadh became important, with their aspects of planting and harvesting. Even later, the festivals honoring the equinoxes and solstices became part of regular.

To understand the primal power of Beltane and Samhain, one must return to a time when society was mobile, with no home base, moving from place to place, around the fodder available to the animals upon which the survival of the people depended. At Beltane the hunting of summer animals began and the entire village might move to locate themselves where animals were grazing. When we began to domesticate animals, at Beltane animals were moved from their winter to summer pastures and the village would again be uprooted and moved to align themselves with hunting grounds. At Samhain the same occurred, moving villages to match the migration of the animals which were our food.

Beltane and Samhain were delicately balanced spokes on the wheel. So much was at risk. So much was changing. These were times when we were the most intimately connected with the chain of life. If Spring came too late, we might starve when Winter's stockpile of food dwindled. If Fall came too soon, we might not be able to put enough aside to get us through the next Winter. A vibrant Spring meant food for all; a long, warm Fall meant plenty of food stored to guarantee our survival through the cold season. In an agricultural community in Spring, the crops are beginning to grow. So much could wreck havoc on plant and community security. A late frost or snow, damaging storms or not enough moisture could spell doom.

At times of precarious existence, we were very aware of life and death. And the veil between worlds was at its most thin. At times we had cause to celebrate; at times we had cause to fear. For either reason, as creatures of community, we had cause to come together for festivals meant to thank and placate our gods.

Additionally, war was often conducted over the Summer months, as the weather became conducive to the affairs of men and pagan politics. Hunting rights, and, later, rights to territory to raise animals, became the argument that may have been the start of tribal politics. Beltane may have been used as an assembly time, for communities and families to come together to plan the Summer's warlike activity. It was a time to get together after the cold, dark days of Winter. To reestablish familial bonds and renew friendships. To make pacts and plans. At the opposite time of the year, Samhain, it was a time to lay down weapons, to prepare for the Winter about to arrive. In the most ancient of times, these festivals would have been the only reliable times when a gathering of clans would be held. When all else was unsure, this would have been definite. They were days of peace, often between which were the conflicts of Summer.

Logically, most especially to the Ancient Ones, these gatherings would include not only the living, but the dead. The veil between worlds is thin as both times are rife with portent of change. We see a commonality between the way various ancient and modern cultures celebrate the wheel at these two delicately balanced times. At Samhain the departed step into our world; at Beltane we visit theirs.

On May Eve/Beltane, the focus to many modern pagans is very specifically celebrating, at an instinctual level, the sense of balance, of promise and threat, light and dark. It is a psychological journey which can be challenging and often frightening. As the newly green world is vulnerable and sensitive, so our emotions are in that place of tenderness. We risk much when we take a spiritual journey at this time of year; but the reward, as with the tender sapling which becomes the mighty oak, can be great.

On May Day that darkness has passed. It is a day to celebrate the more modern tale of the marriage of our Lord and Lady. A time for delight. For carefree abandon. Laughter, dance, song. And that most Wonderful of celebrations of our humanity; fertility and sexuality. Yes, we are still aware of the journey our souls took the night before, but that is all the more reason to celebrate this moment of pure joy.

Planetary Ritual for Beltaine [may 1st]
By Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell

Astrology and the magical path have long shared a history, and can add clarity and focus when used together. Every planetary alignment holds an opportunity for growth and expanded awareness, and contains symbolism that can be universally shared and understood. By meditating on current planetary themes, we can tune in to the archetypal energy inherent therein, gaining a deeper understanding of our own personal myth, integrating the planetary energies experientially through personalized ritual.

The Maiden goddess now comes of age at Beltaine (also spelled Beltane or Bealtaine), and the fertility of the earth is at its height. This is the time of the sacred marriage, the union of the male and female principles, and can be a time to unify and balance our inner polarities as well, integrating the solar/lunar energies within.

Beltaine Herbal Lore
Almond: symbolic of true love transcending death.
Angelica: ritual bath; "Bringer of Light"; protection, self-blessing.
Cinquefoil: contains needed energy to manifest one's ideas.
Clover: animals, good luck, strength.
Frankincense: consecration, magic, purification, success, psychic ability.
Hawthorn: classic flower used to decorate maypole; fertility.
Ivy: wear wreaths of ivy at Beltaine, decorate altar; fidelity and valor
Juniper: used as incense to purify the home in preparation for Beltaine
Marigold: ritual bath; prophetic dreams, favorable court verdict, attracts respect.
Orchid (Orris root): burn powdered root for love and passion
Roses: love and joy; multi-colored roses on Beltaine altar
Rowan: protection and healing; use berries in incense for psychic powers.
Woodruff: attracts wealth; victory for athletes; protection.

Ritual Bath: Angelica, Clover, Marigold, Rose petals, pink or emerald green altar candles [for Venus]. Place any or all herbs in cheesecloth and tie well; run under tap. You can also make a strong tea from the herbs, strain and pour into the bath. Bathe yourself in the herbs and the springtime energy, clearing away anything that no longer needs to go with you. After your bath, bring your candles with you to the circle, and place them on or around your altar.

The Altar: Use a large flat stone as your altar, and place it in your garden, or by an eastern facing window. A bowl of nuts and spring flowers in many colors enhance the setting.

You will need three candles: emerald green, red and brown.

Ritual: cast the circle, and call in the quarters.

Prepare incense using: benzoin, frankincense, cinnamon, rose petals, sandalwood oil. Consecrate to Venus. Light incense.

The emerald green candle represents the Sun in Taurus, the sign ruled by Venus, the sign of growth, fertility and abundance. In what way would you like to see this energy manifest in your life? Be specific. Write your intentions down on a small piece of paper and place this slip of paper underneath the candle; anoint the candle with a Venusian or Beltaine oil, and focus on your intent as you light your candle.

The red candle represents the Moon/Mars trine in fire signs [Leo, Sagittarius at 26 deg 30']; how can you best generate spiritual growth and creative energy in your life now? Create an affirmation to support your intent; write down your goals and repeat the process as before.

The brown candle represents the Moon in Virgo, the sign of health, details and everyday habits and work ethic; what are you willing to do now, in order to create the abundance you need? What needs to be done to achieve optimal health? Create an affirmation to support your intent; write down your goals and repeat the process as before.

When you feel the ritual is complete, burn each paper as you focus once again on the intention of the goal, releasing the energy to the wind and elemental helpers. Thank the nature spirits, Deities or elementals, and close your circle, allowing the candles to burn all the way down, or instead, burn them for a little while for the next several days, symbolizing the energies of the waxing year.

BIBLIOGRAPHY - http://www.enteract.com/~deepsky/ie/articles/bibliography.html

(c)2000 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell

Planetary Ritual supplies for Beltaine - http://www.enteract.com/~deepsky/ie/Products/beltaine_prod.html
Ritual supplies and spell kits, custom made with care at the appropriate planetary time.

This article is an excerpt from "Magical Astrology Guide 2001" - http://www.enteract.com/~deepsky/ie/Products/prod_book.html
(c)2000 Sarolta DeFaltay-Bell. | All Rights Reserved.

Beltane Word Search
By Isha ArrowHawk

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J U N S S T G F U V J M R M P K G I C E
S Y N Z E N E J W U R P E T I G U I H R
E W E P W R K P K G E Y I Z H R O G S X
I J F P K D I D C Z V D U E S E E Q A K
R S Z F H A B F B T E T L G T A S I C N
E M P T X N V X N B L O F M R T P L R J
T P H L G C Z V S O P P A N U R G O E I
S G O U Q I W C W Y B I U Y O I N W D E
Y M R H G N W X A P D U T F C T I C M L
M A N Y I G D M E E C I A T X E P K A N
P P E O I E N C N S L J U W O P M O R C
A C D X D J H G T I G R D P A I A P R X
I O G F J T O R T A E N W N N G C E I B
I K O E C D B R E J B R I G Z J I Y A U
U R D L D R E P T C N B Z S N U A E G U
Q B R E Z F Q N A I J V A N S D X H E T
F S S T W Q O Q Z H R H Z S Y E I V L X
G S T N E M L L I F L U F A X M L Y E M
E V J V Q J G Q Y K J J M M H W G B M I
A T G Z T N D D F K P F X Y F Y A E R F

BLESSINGS
BONFIRES
CAMPING
COURTSHIP
DANCING
FERTILITY
FULFILLMENT
GREATRITE
HORNEDGOD
MAIDENGODDESS
MAYDAY
MAYPOLE
MYSTERIES
REVEL
SABBAT
SACREDMARRIAGE

BELTANE - THE EMBRACE
By Ahneke Greystone

Oh, do not tell the priest of our Art
For he would call it a sin
But we shall be out in the woods all night
A-conjuring summer in!

adapt. from Robert Burns

It is the time of year to take in deep, invigorating breaths. To be aware of life, energy and inspiration. And to know that in the exhale is creation. It is about sexuality and fulfillment; embracing all acts of creation and inspiration. It is a time to experience life to the fullest, putting aside fear to step into the promise. It is about experiencing the first responsibilities of maturity, while still cherishing the child within.

BELTANE

The day and evening of April 30 are known by the names of Beltane Eve, May Eve, Rudemas/Roodmas, Rood Day, St. Walburga's Day; and May 1 is known as Beltane, May Day and Cershamain. Modern pagans celebrate these ancient Celtic holidays as one of the four major sabbats of our yearly wheel.

Beltane has been translated many ways. One translation is "Bel-fire" or "Bel's fire." Bel, Beli, Belanos, Balar or Belinus is the ancient Celtic god of light and fire. This god's actual name may not have been Bel, as Bel could well have been a title, a term of respect, as some scholars trace the name back to the Middle Eastern Baal and translate it as meaning "Lord." As the Bright or Shining One, Bel can also be connected to Lugh. The name might also derive from bel-dine, "dine" meaning cattle, because newborn cattle were sacrificed on this day to Bel or Bial.

The word Beltane corresponds to the modern Irish Gaelic word Bealtaine, the name of the month of May, and to the Scottish Gaelic word Bealtuinn meaning May Day.

History tells us of fires lit on hilltops throughout the ancient world as beacons of welcome to the gods and as prayers beseeching favor from them. They were at times bright flames representing our confidence and security; at other times they were the flickering symbols of our insecurities and doubts. Fiery celebrations of late Spring and early Summer were and still are a part of spiritual and communal practices around the world. Summer hinges upon this time of balance. The balefire of Beltane Eve is the petition to the gods to protect the crops, planted but not yet secure in their growth. It is an acknowledgment of our dependency upon something out of our control. A reminder that, as always, we rely on the caprices of Earth, Air, Fire and Water for our very lives.

Ah, and then comes May Day, the glorious Beltane celebration! Gone is the worry from the night before. The dark introspection which had us pondering the precarious nature of life. Today is for celebration, pure and simple. For dance and song and reveling in the glory of being alive. No other excuse is needed. It's about play and creativity. It's about sexuality; the physical pleasure we take from life and the celebration of all the aspects of our being which conceive and create.

THE GODDESS

The Lady is embracing an aspect of herself which is ethereal. For, as she lives on in her eternal cycles of birth and death, so she acknowledges in every turning of the wheel the Great Truth. That some things are meant to pass. She has been a Maiden dancing lightly on the Earth. With no thoughts of death in a world of blossom and birth. She understands, as the God does not yet, that in his embrace of her has begun the next cycle. She, too, will spend this time celebrating. Her Crone memories whisper the secrets of conception, birth and death, and the Mother she is about to become hints of responsibility. But there is time for her to ignore these murmurs, persistent as they are. Today, she celebrates her physicality and the intimate union with her lover.

The Goddesses of Beltane are of flowers and blooming, love, fertility, song and dance and the hunt: Aphrodite, Asherah, Belili, Bloddeuwedd, Bona Dea, Brigid, Danu, Freya, Flora, Gwenhwyvar, Hina, Kwan Yin, Ishtar, Lada, Maia, Mary, Mawu, Oiwyn, Oshun, Ostara, Rauni, Sappha, Spider Woman, Tonantzin, Vesta and Xochiquetzal.

THE GOD

At Beltane, the God has married the Goddess, but he has not yet forsaken the forest of his birth. He recognizes his responsibilities to the now pregnant Goddess. Although he remains very much Lord of the Greenwood, he has begun to evolve and has formed a specific relationship with the ability to deeply love an individual and to put her/their relationship ahead of all else. This is a turning point in the yearly Wheel; as he pledges himself to his Lady. He is not yet aware of the sacrifice involved; his joy is in the union and the sense that together they are greater than they are individually.

The God represents our humanity, our physical existence. The moment when we, too, accept our lives with a burst of vigor and a sense of burgeoning responsibility. From Beltane through Lughnasadh he is the symbol of the strength and frailty of our temporary existence on this Earth. Mirroring him, we also accept that our lives are a burst of vigor. We will chose where we make our mark; and then we, too, will pass. At Beltane we celebrate the power of our physical, intellectual and emotional selves. It is not yet about sacrifice and passing. It is about being totally immersed in the act of Living.

The Gods of Beltane are young Father gods and gods of the hunt, fertility and love: Bel, Baal, Beli, Belanos, Balar, Belinus Beltene, Cernunnous, Cupid/Eros, Manawyddan and Pan.

CORRESPONDENCES

Food: Asparagus, barley, butter, cheese, cherries, dairy foods, honey, ice cream, May wine/May bowl, milk, oatmeal and strawberries.

Flowers: Bluebells, daisies, dogwood, daffodils, lilacs, marigolds, primrose, snapdragon, rose, yellow cowslip and violets.

Trees: Ash, birch, hawthorn.

Herbs: Allheal, almond, broom, coriander, curry, jasmine, marjoram, meadowsweet, mint, musk, paprika, peach, rosemary, rue, yansy, thistle, thyme, vanilla, woodruff, yarrow and ylang ylang.

Stones/Crystals/Jems: Amethyst, beryl, bloodstones, citrine, copper, emerald, garnet, gold, malachite, peridot, rose quartz, sapphires and tourmaline.

Incense/Oil: Angelica, benzoin, chamomile, frankincense, geranium, honeysuckle, lavender, lilac, myrrh, rose and vanilla.

Animals: Cats, dove, goats, honey bees, leopard, lynx, Pegasus, rabbits, swallow and swan

Colors: Dark yellow, gold, green, purple, red and white.

BELTANE BLESSING

Beltane is a time of embrace. Of wrapping our arms around each other and enfolding the wonders of the world within our hearts. It is a time for grandparents and parents to dance with children and become young at heart and carefree once again. It is a time to celebrate coming together and to acknowledge that no person, animal or plant is meant to be alone. Creation is based upon the blending of energies. The power of connection is awesome to behold!

Blessings of the Maiden with arms outstretched and the Lord who has learned the beauty of embrace.

Ahneke Greystone

Beltane Recipes
Gathered by Isha ArrowHawk from
"Celtic Folklore Cooking"
By Joanne Asala:

Spring Wine

Undoubtedly the best known of all herbal wines is the traditional May Wine, flavored with sweet woodruff and drunk in celebration of Beltane. Many other herbs can be used to flavor wine, but you should do so sparingly and with consideration to the flavor of the wine itself, as well as the magical properties of each herb. Dry white wines work the best, but feel free to experiment. Adding herbs to a young wine has the practical purpose of improving the harsh taste.

1 bottle dry white wine
3-4 sprigs of herb

In a non-metallic container, steep the herbs in the wine and set in a cool, dark place overnight. Some herbs, such as rose petals, may need to steep for several weeks to take on the characteristic flavor, so you should place the wine in sterilized jars and seal. Filter before serving.

Variation: Sometimes strawberries are steeped along with sweet woodruff for Beltane wine, or else they are floated on top. If you do not have time to make it yourself, it is possible to purchase several good German varieties at your local wine shop.

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Scotch Eggs

The only way to eat them is with your fingers, so be sure to have lots of napkins close at hand! You can eat them while still hot, but they tend to fall apart. Traditionally they are served either cold or at room temperature.

10 hard boiled eggs, chilled
Flour for dusting
2 pounds pork sausage
1 1/2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
2 tsp. mace or minced parsley
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 eggs, beaten
Oil for deep-frying

Remove the shells from the hard-boiled eggs and dust with flour. Set aside. Roll out the pork sausage on a flat surface. In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the mace, salt, and pepper. Take each hard-boiled egg and dip into the beaten eggs, then wrap it in the sausage meat until it is completely covered. It is easiest to do this with your fingers. The meat should be about 1/2 inch thick around each egg.

Once the egg is completely covered, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture. When all the eggs have been prepared this way, heat the oil about 4 - 5 minutes to 350 degrees and deep fry the eggs, one at a time, until golden brown.

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Green Man Salad

The Green Man, also known as the Leaf Man, May King, or Jack in the Green, is an ancient image of the Goddess' consort. Today he may be found decorating the pillars of old churches and cathedrals, where he peeks out from among stone carvings of branches and leaves.

5 cups green leaf lettuce
2 cups fresh dandelion greens
6 - 8 slices of bacon
2 tbsp. white vinegar
2 tsp. sugar
Salt to taste

Remove stems of greens and roughly chop leaves. Cut bacon into 1-inch square pieces and fry until crispy. Pour off the fat, reserving 1/2 cup. Add vinegar, sugar, and salt to the bacon and reserved fat and bring to a boil. Pour dressing over greens, toss and serve.

Once Upon A Beltane Eve
By Selene Silverwind, Staff member of Cauldrons and Broomsticks
Review by Midnight Grey Wolfpup

The world has been savaged by earthquakes, floods and all forms of natural disasters; to be cleansed into a more peaceful place. A place of harmony. A place where Pagans and non-Pagans were accepted as equals. This is the futuristic world that Fiona and Julian live in. From Beltane festivals to drumming circles, waterfalls to mountain ridges we are allowed to follow their lives from the beginning of their first meeting. Their love is the kind we all dream of and their dedication to each other, it feels, began before their births. Into this beautiful love story comes a person from Julian's past; a cult member and old girlfriend named Sarah that lives her life to threaten the peace and joy in theirs. It is a mood changer that twists and turns throughout their lives together to a grand finale.

Selene Silverwind calls upon all her wondrous knowledge of Paganism to lead the reader to experience the actual feelings and mechanics of Paganism at it's best. From rituals to crafts; details are provided that come only from having experienced them first hand. The only problem with Once Upon A Beltane Eve has been being able to put it down. It has been the most wonderful fact filled love story that this editor has ever experienced. It brought tears to my eyes and smiles to my face as she held me spell bound through the flowing plot of her novel. It leaves this reader saying "I wish it were real, and I wish it were me" at the end of each and every page.

I regularly review many new books and this is one of the best written I've reviewed. The details are brought across in a most believable and natural flowing fashion. I highly recommend this book to anyone. Pagan or non-Pagan will find a common love for nature and a common love for the sake of love inside its pages.

Blessings, warmth and love .....
Midnight Grey Wolfpup
Editor/Publisher/Owner
Cauldrons and Broomsticks Ezine
http://www.cauldrons-broomsticks.net

Editors Note: Following is an announcement from our very own Selene Silverwind as a follow-up:

My inspirational romance, "Once Upon a Beltane Eve" is out. Readers and fans of the "Fiona and Julian" stories first seen in "Cauldrons & Broomsticks," this is their expanded story.

Visit http://www.Amazon.com, http://www.SeleneSilverwind.com, or http://www.SpilledCandy.com to order your copy today. Larger bookstores such as Barnes & Noble or Borders can special order it for you.

I'm going to be in Chicago, New York, and Massachusetts in late May and June, so if you'd like your copy signed, please visit my website for signing details. A limited number of copies will be available for purchase at the signings.

I also have a few signings in Los Angeles, so check the website for those dates and times.

Selene Silverwind
Author of "Once Upon a Beltane Eve," an inspirational Pagan romance.