Post by Shadow_Kitten on Jul 19, 2008 9:20:40 GMT 1
Here's Beltane, like I promised. Enjoy! ;D
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-Welcome in Beltane at dawn with singing and dancing.
-Acknowledge the importance of the God and Goddess in your life.
-The dancing of the May Pole is a Celtic Beltane custom. The use of the May Pole has sexual implications, the pole representing the phallus and the ribbons that are tied to it connect oneself to the Goddess. As they dance, the ribbons would be weaved around the pole and the wreath (the Goddess) would descend down the pole, thus consummating their marriage.
-During the May Pole dance, think about what you wish to weave into, or out of, your spirit. Dance the May Pole and feel yourself balancing the Divine Female and Male within.
-Create a special wreath for the top of the May Pole.
-Make a miniature May Pole for your altar if you can not make a full size version.
-Keep the May Pole ribbons on the Broom until Mabon. At Mabon, use the ribbons in a ritual (Charge them with all the fear, sorrow, loss, and regret you can recall from the past year & them release/burn them)
-Tie ribbons to trees to celebrate the coming of spring. Make a wish each time you tie a ribbon as it is good luck to wish for things on this day!
-Braid bracelets out of white ribbons and give them as gifts to friends or family.
-Have small baskets of goodies around the room to symbolize the coming abundance and to enjoy after the Circle. Magick is hungry work!
-Make May Day baskets and leave them on your friends and family's doorsteps as a surprise gift. May Day baskets are traditionally filled with flowers but you can also fill yours with crystals and candy. Decorate the baskets with coloured ribbons.
-Once you’ve made your baskets, take the baskets to your friend’s houses, leave them on the porch. Then your friends have to guess who left the baskets. The kids will especially enjoy this because you have to do it undetected and not let on when people wonder who brought them the May flowers.
-Wear flowers in your hair and on your wrists and ankles. Feel yourself radiating joy and beauty.
-Mother & Daughter could braid their hair & weave a few tender blossoms into it.
-If you live near water, make a garland or posy of spring flowers and cast it into stream, lake or river to bless the water spirits.
-Make a May bowl - wine or punch in which the flowers of sweet woodruff or other fragrant blossoms are soaked - and drink with the one you love.
-Fill a cauldron or a large bowl with fresh flowers (wildflowers are best).
-Get a new mirror, or use one you have already, and decorate it with ribbons and flowers for your bedroom.
-Cut branches of fresh green from budding trees, or make garlands of flowers to decorate the home for this celebration. Hang them on the doors and windows early, so the May sunrise finds them there!
-Make an edible flower garden for kids. Flowers that you plant can include Gardenia, Johnny jump-up, lemon verbena, pansy, snapdragon and violet.
-On May Eve, bless your garden in the old way by making love with your lover in it.
-Walk the perimeter of your property to check that everything is in good order. Bring trash bags and do a general clean up of anything that is not where it should be.
-Go to your favourite grove or forest and have a picnic.
-Plant your frost sensitive bulbs now. Use a Bulb Planting Chant.
-Like our forefathers, show joy in the life you have been given and share that joy with others.
-Do a Beltane Day Spell for Health and Happiness.
-Beltane is one of the three "spirit-nights" of the year when the faeries can be seen. At dusk, twist a rowan sprig into a ring and look through it, and you may see them.
-Look for faery rings and leave an offering of flowers, food or pretty stones.
-Make a dish of fruits, berries, nuts and leave in the wood for the animals and faerie folk to enjoy.
-Make some lovely garden furniture for the faerie folk.
-Dig a fire pit in your circle area and jump over the fire for good luck. Back in the old days people used to run the cattle between two fires on Beltane to make them fertile and help the herd increase. They would also jump over the Beltane fire for luck. If someone is too small to jump by themselves you can pass them over the fire by putting them in a carry chair.
-Beltane is also a Tree festival and many fires were lit under a sacred tree. For the Celts, this use of the Tree represents the death and rebirth. The tree, appearing dead in the winter, would begin to spout new branches and leaves during this time, thus signifying the coming of summer. This use of the tree later evolved in the May pole festival. The Celts would also tie rags and pieces of personal articles to the tree in attempt to connect themselves to the spirit of the tree.
-Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck - but make sure you tie up long skirts first!
-Make a wish as you jump over a bonfire, (or campfire, May Day is a good time to go camping).
String beads or flowers for a blessing:
May the God and Goddess and the power
Of the elementals bless me now and always be with me.
-Arise at dawn and wash in the morning dew: the woman who washes her face in it will be beautiful; the man who washes his hands will be skilled with knots and nets.
-Wash in the May morning dew. A woman who washes in the magical dew of May Day is said to gain beauty. According to the Mother Goose rhyme:
The fair maid who, the first of May,
Goes to the fields at break of day,
And washes in dew from the hawthorn-tree,
Will ever after handsome be.
Other sources suggest using the dew found under oaks or on ivy leaves. Make a special wish as you wash your face in it or as you drink from a well before sunrise.
-Let your child dress up like the May Queen. Make a pointed hat with a large piece of paper rolled, and tape crepe paper streamer from the top. Decorate with crayons, stickers, and glitter.
---
-Welcome in Beltane at dawn with singing and dancing.
-Acknowledge the importance of the God and Goddess in your life.
-The dancing of the May Pole is a Celtic Beltane custom. The use of the May Pole has sexual implications, the pole representing the phallus and the ribbons that are tied to it connect oneself to the Goddess. As they dance, the ribbons would be weaved around the pole and the wreath (the Goddess) would descend down the pole, thus consummating their marriage.
-During the May Pole dance, think about what you wish to weave into, or out of, your spirit. Dance the May Pole and feel yourself balancing the Divine Female and Male within.
-Create a special wreath for the top of the May Pole.
-Make a miniature May Pole for your altar if you can not make a full size version.
-Keep the May Pole ribbons on the Broom until Mabon. At Mabon, use the ribbons in a ritual (Charge them with all the fear, sorrow, loss, and regret you can recall from the past year & them release/burn them)
-Tie ribbons to trees to celebrate the coming of spring. Make a wish each time you tie a ribbon as it is good luck to wish for things on this day!
-Braid bracelets out of white ribbons and give them as gifts to friends or family.
-Have small baskets of goodies around the room to symbolize the coming abundance and to enjoy after the Circle. Magick is hungry work!
-Make May Day baskets and leave them on your friends and family's doorsteps as a surprise gift. May Day baskets are traditionally filled with flowers but you can also fill yours with crystals and candy. Decorate the baskets with coloured ribbons.
-Once you’ve made your baskets, take the baskets to your friend’s houses, leave them on the porch. Then your friends have to guess who left the baskets. The kids will especially enjoy this because you have to do it undetected and not let on when people wonder who brought them the May flowers.
-Wear flowers in your hair and on your wrists and ankles. Feel yourself radiating joy and beauty.
-Mother & Daughter could braid their hair & weave a few tender blossoms into it.
-If you live near water, make a garland or posy of spring flowers and cast it into stream, lake or river to bless the water spirits.
-Make a May bowl - wine or punch in which the flowers of sweet woodruff or other fragrant blossoms are soaked - and drink with the one you love.
-Fill a cauldron or a large bowl with fresh flowers (wildflowers are best).
-Get a new mirror, or use one you have already, and decorate it with ribbons and flowers for your bedroom.
-Cut branches of fresh green from budding trees, or make garlands of flowers to decorate the home for this celebration. Hang them on the doors and windows early, so the May sunrise finds them there!
-Make an edible flower garden for kids. Flowers that you plant can include Gardenia, Johnny jump-up, lemon verbena, pansy, snapdragon and violet.
-On May Eve, bless your garden in the old way by making love with your lover in it.
-Walk the perimeter of your property to check that everything is in good order. Bring trash bags and do a general clean up of anything that is not where it should be.
-Go to your favourite grove or forest and have a picnic.
-Plant your frost sensitive bulbs now. Use a Bulb Planting Chant.
-Like our forefathers, show joy in the life you have been given and share that joy with others.
-Do a Beltane Day Spell for Health and Happiness.
-Beltane is one of the three "spirit-nights" of the year when the faeries can be seen. At dusk, twist a rowan sprig into a ring and look through it, and you may see them.
-Look for faery rings and leave an offering of flowers, food or pretty stones.
-Make a dish of fruits, berries, nuts and leave in the wood for the animals and faerie folk to enjoy.
-Make some lovely garden furniture for the faerie folk.
-Dig a fire pit in your circle area and jump over the fire for good luck. Back in the old days people used to run the cattle between two fires on Beltane to make them fertile and help the herd increase. They would also jump over the Beltane fire for luck. If someone is too small to jump by themselves you can pass them over the fire by putting them in a carry chair.
-Beltane is also a Tree festival and many fires were lit under a sacred tree. For the Celts, this use of the Tree represents the death and rebirth. The tree, appearing dead in the winter, would begin to spout new branches and leaves during this time, thus signifying the coming of summer. This use of the tree later evolved in the May pole festival. The Celts would also tie rags and pieces of personal articles to the tree in attempt to connect themselves to the spirit of the tree.
-Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck - but make sure you tie up long skirts first!
-Make a wish as you jump over a bonfire, (or campfire, May Day is a good time to go camping).
String beads or flowers for a blessing:
May the God and Goddess and the power
Of the elementals bless me now and always be with me.
-Arise at dawn and wash in the morning dew: the woman who washes her face in it will be beautiful; the man who washes his hands will be skilled with knots and nets.
-Wash in the May morning dew. A woman who washes in the magical dew of May Day is said to gain beauty. According to the Mother Goose rhyme:
The fair maid who, the first of May,
Goes to the fields at break of day,
And washes in dew from the hawthorn-tree,
Will ever after handsome be.
Other sources suggest using the dew found under oaks or on ivy leaves. Make a special wish as you wash your face in it or as you drink from a well before sunrise.
-Let your child dress up like the May Queen. Make a pointed hat with a large piece of paper rolled, and tape crepe paper streamer from the top. Decorate with crayons, stickers, and glitter.