SECTION I - HOLIDAY LORE
Northern Edition
Beltane Ritual For Famliy Or The Solitaire - dessteni14
Beltane Astrology - Jeri Noble
Beltane Oil Recipes - Judith Lewis
Beltane Word Search - Part One - Isha Arrowhawk
Beltane Word Search - Part Two - Isha Arrowhawk
Beltane Candle Ritual - Tirgana
April 30th Down Under - AWDU
BELTANE RITUAL FOR FAMILY OR THE SOLITAIRE
By dessteni14
This is a wonderful ritual my family and i have done since before i can remember but it can also be performed by a single person.
Ritual items needed:
2- 6 in peices of red ribbon for everyone in the ritual
1-6 in peice of white ribbon for everyone in the ritual
as many red and white candles as you have
and as many things you can gather that remind you
of the God and Goddesses unity
fresh flowers, garlands
1 packet of seeds per person
oh and don't forget the cakes and ale
First give everyone their ribbons. My family likes to braid the 3 peices through their hair as representation of the unity but some of my friends like to braid the ribbons together and tie them around their wrists, it's up to you.
Everyone in the ritual should be dressed in loose clothing and wearing colors of
beltane, red and white are the colors we use, but it's a very open day of celebration and wear what makes you feel sexy and lusty hence the lusty month of may!
Place fresh flowers and garlands about your home and ritual area everyone should join in together and decorate. Gather all the candles together and form a circle or have one candle at each quarter, have everyone step inside the circle holding hands in unity, together walk around the circle in a deosil direction chanting these words:
" Mother, Goddess bestow your blessings upon us,
join us in this festive day
Father, Lord shine your light upon us and forever
light our way.
Let us join together in light and love may we have
a passion for life and a life full of passion!"
Everyone in the circle should remain chanting until you feel an abundance of energy and feel full love and joy. After performing the Circle chant my family and I go outside and take our seeds and scatter them about while saying:
"herbs, plants and flowers galore
fertility and marvels since times before
grow with love and grow with light
imbue us all with you fertilization rite!"
Now you can enjoy cakes and ale, the day should be celebrated until dawn, This is a very passion filled day for lovers and sexuality since at my family ritual there is an abundance of small children we celebrate fertility of the Lady and Lord and the Earth but you can re-create the ritual in your own personal way.
Brightest Blessings!
Beltane Astrology
By Jeri Noble
The planetary lineup for Beltane this year shows a powerful emphasis in Gemini. This energy represents the messages of the gods, the ideas and concepts which are brought down to earth for us to implement in our daily lives. Interestingly, we have a wide conjunction of Venus and Mars, symbolic of the feminine and masculine principles in this sign. Overall, the energy this year tells us that we need to get out and connect with those closest to us, that we must share our ideas and be willing to experience clarity regarding the facts of our goals and activities.
For this great celebration of the beginning of summer, we look for a merging and balance of those life elements which must come together for our completion. This year we are being shown that finding a clear objectivity regarding people and situations around us can enable a fresh perspective. We may find that old behavior patterns which have been harmful to us can be dissolved, leaving us capable of more intelligent and rational choices.
Preparations
Decorate the altar and adorn yourself with blossoms. This ceremony is best done outdoors and may be conducted either on May Eve or Mayday. Have a variety of brightly colored ribbons available in varying lengths.
Ritual
For this ritual we are honoring the symbolism of weaving. In this way we are reaffirming our unity with all life. Cast your circle in the usual way, making certain to ground and center yourself within it. Light your candles around the circle. The basic ritual follows. Affirmations are listed for each sign below which are used where indicated. If you know your rising sign, you may affirm that as well.
Invoke the God and Goddess
Lord of the Sun, essence of life and the power of will
I honor the glory of your magnificent radiance.
I open myself to the inspiration of your wisdom
I accept the wonder of new intelligence that is flowing through my being.
Beautiful goddess of infinite creativity
I meld with the glittering depths of consciousness which are you
I connect to the blissful feelings of Universal Oneness that nurture all life.
I now weave the heights of Perfect Mind and the depths of compassionate oneness
Weave, braid or knot together your ribbons as you say the affirmation for your Sun Sign and for your rising sign as well, if you know it.
My prayers are answered.
I go in joy and fulfillment.
Aries
What I am capable of and what I have to offer my world is now revealed to be far greater than I had ever before believed. I know that I can fulfill my potential to the next higher level, right now.
Taurus
My comprehension and experience of life is now encompassing new facets and arenas which expand my vision enormously. I am coming together with all my unused parts of Self to form a more perfect whole.
Gemini
I am centered in my power and understanding of my role in the larger picture of life. I accept a greater function in the overall mechanism of existence, knowing that this is my life's destiny.
Cancer
I am coming together with both my history and my future in order to experience the timeless fulfillment of my Higher Self. This completion of Selfhood is providing me with a new and deeper level of security.
Leo
A new level of achievement is mine now, as I integrate my vision for the future with the needs of my community. I am known for what I can accomplish and how well I can do it.
Virgo
I accept my new authority in life, understanding that I am the eternal student. I rise to new levels of comprehension as I focus on the requirements of those who depend on me. I am valued.
Libra
I am growing into a new phase of my evolution, broadening my experience and integrating all aspects of my psyche. I find the perfect balance for myself as I enjoy my becoming.
Scorpio
I now embrace that part of me which is represented by Divine Intelligence. I find myself employing a vast inner reservoir of mental ability which enables a truer focus, clarity and concentration.
Sagittarius
I allow myself to be guided to a higher experience of spirituality and the Divinity that lies within me. I accept my enfoldment by the pure reality of the Universe, understanding my place in the greater scheme of things.
Capricorn
I permit myself to feel the tenderness that is me, the sensitivity that lies within me. I honor my history, my roots and the foundation of my existence, knowing that these are essential to who I am.
Aquarius
I accept the challenge of a more finely-tuned mental state, one which allows me the freedom of a new clarity and wisdom. I know my confidence is increased dramatically as I become the greater Self that I can be.
Pisces
The multi-faceted nature of my true Self is now freed to flow in perfect harmony with all it's parts. I accept this wider and deeper inner knowledge and the new experience of wholeness that is mine.
Get your personal astrology reading < http://mercurys-muse.com/horosplash.html > from Jeri or explore her offerings of online metaphysical classes <
http://mercurys-muse/cat.html>. You may email Jeri at jerinoble@mercurys-muse.com
Beltane Oil Recipes
By Judith Lewis
Important note regarding the recipes below ~
Please do not add more essential oils than called for as this can cause a skin reaction. As well, please be extra careful when buying essential oils as some shops I have visited mislabel fragrance oils as essential oils. The price of essential oils will be very different from scent to scent and will have a fairly complex smell. Fragrance oils usually have a much simpler scent and are sometimes mixed with florals so that a scent like sandalwood becomes more floral than the genuine oil. Where fragrance oils are called for, I call these "synthetic". Always check before using anything on your body for a reaction by placing a small amount on the inside of your elbow.
Moon Goddess Bubble Bath
The key to this bubble bath is the use of shampoo, which has in it some of the necessary ingredients to make bubble bath. By using an unscented or lightly scented shampoo, you are able to change the scent to create the smell you desire!
What you need:
4 cups (1L) baby shampoo
15 drops sandalwood mysore e.o.
10 drops lemongrass e.o.
10 drops rose otto e.o.
5 drops ylang ylang e.o.
First, blend the essential oils together in a glass cup or mixing bowl. Slowly, mix the essential oils into the baby shampoo. The shampoo will be thick at first but it will slowly react with the essential oils to make it more like water. Keep this mixture for no more than 6 months to keep yourself smelling like a goddess!
To test before using - Place a bit of this mixture on the inside of our elbow for 4 hours before using. If a rash or any kind of reaction occurs, do not use This is a simple way to make your own bubble bath and you can go wild with the combinations however please do not exceed 10 drops of essential oil per 250mL (1 cup)
This recipe was created by Judith Lewis of http://www.NewMoonOccultShop.com
for Cauldrons and Broomsticks.
Pre-Ritual Shower Shampoo
This one should be much thicker than the type above but I don't like it as much.
What you need:
1 1/2 cups shampoo (or liquid soap)
1/2 cup grated soap (unscented or only lightly scented)
5 drops frankincense essential oil
2 drops myrrh e.o.
2 drops lemon e.o.
1 drop ylang ylang e.o.
1/2 cup distilled water (please make sure you use only distilled)
2 tablespoons Witch Hazel
2 tablespoons Cold Pressed Sweet Almond Oil
Mix 1/2 cup of the shampoo (or liquid soap) gently with the essential oils.
Once gently blended (should still be slightly thick like original shampoo or liquid soap), mix in the distilled water, Witch Hazel and Almond oil.
Place this mix in a pan and gently heat while very slowly adding soap flakes. Keep heating and gently stirring until any trapped air begins to slowly rise. If you allow this mix to boil, it'll just make it too bubbly.
Once completed and all soap has melted, let the blend cool. You'll find a funny bubbly foam film on the surface - use a metal spoon to skim this off.
Once done, you should have a cup of shampoo left, which you now very slowly fold in.
Warning - please be careful when heating this blend on the stove as there is a risk of burning and if you heat the essential oils too much, they will lose their beneficial effect.
This recipe was made by Judith Lewis of http://www.NewMoonOccultShop.com
for Cauldrons and Broomsticks.
Spring Revival Foaming Bath Oil
120mL vodka
240mL sweet almond oil
30mL any bubble bath
3 drops lemon e.o.
5 drops lemongrass e.o.
5 drops juniperberry e.o.
2 drops ylang ylang
You will need to shake (not stir) this mixture to keep it mixed together and it foams rather nicely. This again uses a pre-existing bubble bath in order to achieve the desired effect because the way to make bubble bath involves chemicals that are not easy or necessarily safe on their own to work with. This includes sodium laurel sulfate.
This recipe was made by Judith Lewis of http://www.NewMoonOccultShop.com
for Cauldrons and Broomsticks
Morning after the night before bath salts
Here, the Epsom salts are the key to this blend
1cup Epsom salts
1cup coarse salt
10-20 drops green food coloring
6 drops eucalyptus e.o.
4 drops rosemary e.o.
5 drops peppermint e.o.
3 drops patchouli e.o.
Mix the two types of salts together in large bowl. In a different, smaller bowl take 1/4-1/2 cup salt mixture and add food coloring and oils while stirring to avoid wetting the salts so much they dissolve. Mix this set of salts very well. Once completely blended, add this blending back into rest of salt mixture. This needs to be blended well and should evenly coat your salts to create a yummy bath sensation.
This recipe was made by Judith Lewis of http://www.NewMoonOccultShop.com
for Cauldrons and Broomsticks.
Priestess Incense
This is a complex incense and needs to be burnt on charcoal. Make only in small amounts as it is sticky
2 parts lavender herb
1 part rose herb
1 part jasmine herb
2 parts frankincense resin
1 part myrrh resin
2 parts copal resin
1 part amber resin
2 drops lime e.o.
2 drops grapefruit e.o.
3 drops lavender e.o.
8 drops rosewood e.o.
2 drops ylang ylang e.o.
1 drop frankincense e.o.
This recipe was made by Judith Lewis of http://www.NewMoonOccultShop.com
for Cauldrons and Broomsticks.
Amberella's Return
This incense needs to be burned on charcoal
5gr. soft, fragrant amber resin
5gr. copal
2gr. frankincense
3gr. colphony
add to this resin blend
2 parts cedar herb (tree of life)
2 parts rose petals
mix together the 2 blends and to this dry mix, add
2mL synthetic amber oil
2mL synthetic ocean oil
this will get sticky so store in a way you'll be able to get at (wide-lipped glass jar).
This recipe was made by Judith Lewis of http://www.NewMoonOccultShop.com
for Cauldrons and Broomsticks.
May the Blessings of Brigid be with you always,
Judith Lewis
VP Sales and Marketing New Moon (Enterprises) Ltd
Official UK distributors of potjie pots - cast iron cauldrons
PO BOX 110 DIDCOT, Oxon OX11 9YT United Kingdom
(ph)+44 (0)1235 819 744 (fx)+44 (0)1235 812 367
newmoon@newmoon.uk.com newmoon@new-moon.demon.co.uk
http://www.newmoon.uk.com/ http://www.NewMoonOccultShop.com
THE ONE RING - http://www.newmoonoccultshop.com/jewellery/onering.htm
http://www.DragonsFire.co.uk - All Dragons, all the time
http://www.FengShuiShop.net - Premium Feng Shui Shopping Online
http://www.GothShoppe.com - For the rituals of life and death
http://www.CelticDesires.com - Celtic gifts and Jewellery
http://www.Herbal-Gardens.com - Herbs, resins, Essential Oils, Bach Flower
Remedies and more.
Beltane Word Search - Part One
By Isha Arrowhawk
Ok, folks, here it is, Part one of this issue's Word Search puzzle! This one contains the wonderful staff of our Northern CB issue. Apologies to any of the staff who had characters other than dashes in their names, the puzzle refused to accept them , so you either got spaces or dashes instead.
Enjoy! Isha
CB STAFF - NORTH
----------------
P K S I W E L H T I D U J R W Y S R Z J
U T X U W K K I S H A A R R O W H A W K
P Z S J M I D P T Q L N F A S U K W D B
F T E B P S K T Q V D H T U G G W I F R
L N L D Y L L A K C I T S Y M C S H Y E
O E E D U Y B A B O O K Y R A A G Z X N
W V N I E Z P B W D U O D M T T K U Z N
Y A E W N Q G C Q L V A A D X G N H G A
E R S I R O D X B I M N K S N S X E R F
R A I E G J H D D M O F X V V I Q M A E
G T L L N U F R E Y D N Y R H T A K I Y
T S V E I X A R H A I V N Q E T L H N D
H S E R W D R C N L Z N Q A O M Q O K A
G I R O M C J Q J E R I N O B L E L T M
I L W L R X O G H G Y Y J I U X Z C O A
N A I R O R E N F U E R L E R U A L U U
D C N Q T N Q K A G V Z G V M B T P L R
I H D S S A N T I G O N E O V J H R M O
M H Y S T L Y C S R H H F F D O I B V T
H U S S E R T S G N O S N O O M R X X O
ANTIGONE
BABOO KYRA
BRENNA FEY DAMAUROT
CALISSTA RAVEN
G RAIN
ISHA ARROWHAWK
JERI NOBLE
JUDITH LEWIS
KATHRYN DYER
LAUREL REUFNER
LORELEI
MIDNIGHT GREY WOLFPUP
MOONSONGSTRESS
MYSTICKALLY
SELENE SILVERWIND
STORMWING
Beltane Word Search - Part Two
By Isha Arrowhawk
Ok, folks, here it is, Part two of this issue's Word Search puzzle! This one contains the wonderful staff of our Southern CB issue. Apologies to any of the staff who had characters other than dashes in their names, the puzzle refused to accept them , so you either got spaces or dashes instead.
Enjoy! Isha
CB STAFF - SOUTH
----------------
E M R Q E C Y P F Z Y P D X R Y A I F N
G U J L U F M N V F D V V Q I I N A L K
N C H C T I W E S R O H N O O M M P U L
A V A B R E N N A F E Y D A M A U R O T
W N L G K X J B G N U X O Z K A W P Y P
I O E K A S W E N A T S I R T X Y R E J
T F X U P N N O A P E X Q J O F M L R J
C O L R I C E Z Q N H V Y J Q U R H Y B
H X A X N U Q H B K J H X J C U D U F N
D E W R H F M W L A Q P K L E W Y M N D
O E T R A U D N A J O O V G O O I C O O
W J O E W T S C C X F Q I K Z R X K O G
N E E U M I N M S L H L C X Q V E T M E
U M V K C C N B N A D R V M C D O L C P
N U B R R W Q L P Y Z G M N X I Z N E R
D P M I P D I O G O M O N T E M O R A I
E L I M S D I T K X T H E W O L F P U P
R Q T V R E D S K Y Y B F P V A W A L O
C K Y K L X F R N V P F G M A I Q W V C
P R P H O E N I X H E A L E R M Q Z H Q
A WITCH DOWN UNDER
ALEX LAW
BRENNA FEY DAMAUROT
DIOGO MONTE-MOR
JAN DUARTE
LORELEI
MOON HORSE WITCH
MOONFYRE
NIMUE
PHOENIX-HEALER
THE WOLFPUP
TRISTAN-E
April 30th Down Under
By AWDU
While those in the Northern Hemisphere are readying themselves to celebrate Beltane, we in the Southern Hemisphere are preparing for
Samhain. Down here we are in the middle of autumn and so the seasonal flora and fauna differs from what is found at the same time of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Southern Hemisphere nations like Australia are renowned for the unique nature of their plant species, which have evolved over millennia to deal with a climate that is completely different to anything found naturally in the Northern Hemisphere. Accordingly we, in the Southern Hemisphere countries, have our own unique flora and fauna correspondences for the sabbats and Samhain is no exception.
For us, April 30th is the time that we recognize all the symbolism associated with
Samhain. Mythically, this is much the same as it is in the Northern Hemisphere although the timing is obviously different. In the Northern Hemisphere, Samhain coincides with Halloween. Unfortunately it doesn't over here. Although the traditional meanings of Halloween and Samhain are essentially the same (and could arguably be called the same thing), the popular celebration of Halloween has a fixed date of October 31st. Unhappily this means that when we Southern Hemisphere witches and pagans celebrate our Samhain on April 30th, the rest of the hemisphere isn't in the Halloween mood! We may decorate our homes and be carving Jack-O-Lanterns but no one else is! And we may feel like going trick or treating but it doesn't go down too well with the rest of the population!
Having said that however, Halloween celebrations don't seem to be a big thing here in Australia anyway. I originally come from England and noticed a huge difference in the degree of celebration. I was pleasantly surprised last year when trick-or-treaters (albeit only three of them without costumes) turned up on my doorstep on October 31st even if I was preparing for Beltane!
Just because the rest of the hemisphere isn't in the Halloween mood, it doesn't mean that we can't be! As witches and pagans there are plenty of seasonal activities and sabbat related practices to indulge in at this time that will hopefully help to get us in the spirit of
Samhain. Samhain is traditionally a time associated with the spiritual plane. It has strong associations with the concept of death and the circle of life. Samhain is understood to be a time when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest and the spirits and souls of the departed can cross over or be contacted. Cultures all over the world have similar celebrations. For example the Day of the Dead and the Feast of the Dead. Like
Samhain, these celebrations are a time for remembering ancestors and departed loved ones. It is a time for honoring the dead and, although it often includes a period of sadness and mourning, it is also a time for celebrating their lives. Often these celebrations involve the preparation of large amounts of yummy food which are consumed by surviving family members in the presence of a representation of the departed loved ones. In New Orleans the Feasts actually take place at the gravesites themselves! No wonder that death-related festivals around the world come under the heading of ancestor worship!
In Australia there are plenty of seasonal plants to adorn your rituals with. Both the swamp Banksia and the Heath-Leafed Banksia flower at this time. Both are magnificent blooms with the first having an upright blue-green flower and the second a long spiky orange-yellow flower. Although not a native to Australia, the Advent Bell Azalea comes into bloom at this time with fantastic double rose-red flowers. The Sandheath Bottlebrush's scarlet flowers should be bursting into flame at this time of year and the Bluebell Creeper should also be heavy with purple berries. The Norfolk Island Hibiscus is perfect for decorating a ritual circle characterised by soft pink autumn flowers, and the weeping bowers of the Narrow Leafed Black Peppermint Tree should be smothered by creamy flowers during the autumn months making it a great choice for altar flower displays. The Native Fuschia also comes into flower at this time with white tipped long red flowers.
Other plants in bloom include the Crowea (with its beautiful bright pink star-like flowers that lend a magickal air to any ritual) and the Old Man Banksia (with its large
green-grey flowers that are particularly appropriate for Samhain). The White Cedar and Orange-Berried Pittosporum are both lavishly adorned with bright orange berries at this time and make excellent additions to Samhain rituals because of their color association with this festival. Remember that these berries are for decoration only. Do not consume them and keep them away from small children. Non-native plants include the Angelwing Begonia (pendulous red flowers), the Japanese Box (whose foliage turns orange but doesn't shed) and the Purple Smoke Bush (whose flowers turn from white to red in autumn and rise above the foliage to hover like tendrils of smoke).
Down under, it is also entirely appropriate to go outside and plant a tree (or if the timing isn't so good for tree planting, to go and purchase a pot-bound tree for planting at a later date) because April 29th is Pagan Tree Planting Day. Why not dedicate your tree to a project for the upcoming year or to a departed loved one? You may even get visited by faeries on May 4th (Faerie Day) if you leave an offering of bread and tea by the tree! Of course, we can't forget the creating of a Jack-O-Lanterns! It may not be October 31st but this doesn't have to stop you from creating a pumpkin face to sit outside your home! Make sure that you light a candle inside of it (keep it safe though!). The Jack-o-Lantern is fabled to deter unwanted spirits from your home and a candle left burning in a window is said to guide those you love back to you. You can keep the seeds from the pumpkin to use in a Samhain ritual or to dry out and eat as a healthy Samhain snack.
So, wherever you are enjoy the season. Have a happy Samhain or Beltane and try out the pumpkin soup recipe below. Trust me, it is delicious!
Pumpkin soup
Ingredients
One pumpkin (butternut is great but anything will do). Peel it and cut the flesh into cubes. The smaller you cut them the quicker the soup cooks.
Potato, peeled and cubed. Roughly the same amount as the pumpkin.
Vegetable Stock
Milk (optional)
One or two diced onions. As a rule, a small pumpkin uses about one onion.
Half a teaspoon of finely diced chili
One teaspoon of crushed garlic
Two teaspoons of dried parsley
Salt and Pepper to taste.
Cream and dried/fresh parsley to garnish.
Fresh crusty bread as an accompaniment.
Method
This is so easy! Throw all of the ingredients in a saucepan. Cover with two thirds vegetable stock and one third Milk (or you can just use vegetable stock). Chuck it on the stove and bring it to a boil. Stick the lid on, reduce the heat to low and leave it bubbling along for about an hour or so. Check it occasionally to make sure that there is enough liquid and nothing is sticking to the bottom of the saucepan. Add extra stock/milk if you need to. If it seems to be too watery, then leave the lid off so that it can reduce (or maybe add a little corn flour mixed with cold water to thicken). When all the vegetables seem to be pretty squishy, turn off the heat and use a blender to wiz it all together into a smooth soup. Be careful because it is really hot and those blenders have a habit of spitting stuff everywhere! Alternatively, you can blend half of it and then mix it with the unblended stuff for a soup with vegetable chunks or you can simply use a hand masher for a coarser more lumpy soup. Serve it hot with a drizzle of cream, a sprinkle of parsley and a hunk of fresh crusty bread. This soup freezes really well and will keep in the fridge for three to four days, so you can make a huge batch in one go!
