BELTANE April 30-may 1 (may 1st, 2024)
Beltane, also known as May Day, is the midpoint between spring and summer. This sabbat invokes passion, love, and sexuality.
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HISTORY
"Beltane is a Pagan holiday, and one of the eight Sabbats. It falls about halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the coming summer solstice, Litha. The holiday celebrates spring at its peak, and the coming summer. Beltane also sometimes goes by the name May Day. This holiday is associated very strongly with fertility for pagans. This festival is often commemorated with bonfires, maypoles, dancing, and performing fertility rituals. Beltane is a Celtic word, meaning "the fires of Bel." Bel, likely referred to the Celtic sun god, Belenus. Modern-day pagans celebrate Beltane in a variety of ways. One way to celebrate is with a maypole. In this custom, a pole is placed in a field with ribbons attached. Each person (usually women and girls) will grab a hold of their own ribbon, and dance around the pole in a special way, so as to weave the ribbons into a specific pattern. This is one of the more common fertility rituals that might take place on this day. Celebrators also might weave flowers into their hair, or create a floral wreath to wear upon their head as a celebration of spring. Some pagans light a bonfire and dance around (or even over) it, which is another common fertility ritual for the day. Lastly, some people prepare "May baskets," and fill them with flowers and goodwill. They give the baskets to someone in need of care, such as an elderly friend, or someone who is recovering from an illness."
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ASSOCIATIONS
Colors: Green, brown, yellow, pink, white, blue, purple, copper, gold
Crystals: Rose quartz, aventurine, garnet, emerald, tourmaline, malachite, carnelian, sapphire
Herbs/oils/incense: Mint, lemon balm, mugwort, daisies, lilacs, mint, lemon, jasmine, rose, thyme, lilly of the valley, vanilla, jasmine, frankincense, rosemary, garlic, sage,
Food: Honey cakes, sangria, strawberries, spring greens, cherries, honey, oatmeal, garlic foods
Themes: Acorns, antlers, faeries, fresh flowers, maypole, cauldron, fire
Animals: Bee, cat, goat, cow, rabbit, frog, swan
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IDEAS TO CELEBTATE
-Light candles
-Light incense
-Make flower crowns
-Bake
-Have a picnic
-Have a bon fire
-Go on a walk
-Maypole (more about that below)
-Do rituals
-Do spells
-Bath rituals
-Create faerie offerings
-Gather flowers and herbs
-Listen to music
-Dance
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ALTER IDEAS
-Flowers
-Herbs
-Flower crowns
-May poles
-Spring wreaths
-Crystals
-Candles
-Incense
-Sticks
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SPELL/ RITUAL WORK IDEAS
-Creativity
-Abundance
-Prosperity
-Fertility
-Love
-Self improvement
-Relationships
-Cleansing
-Protection
-Passion
-Self love
-Honor loved ones
-Ritual bath with flowers
-Fire dancing
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BELTANE JAR
-Jar
-Sticks
-Ribbons
-Soil
-Flowers
-Any other things you want to add (corresponding herbs, crystals, colors)
Add in the jar in any order you want
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BELTANE LEMONADE
-Lemon balm
-Lemon
-Ginger
-Mint
-Rosemary
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MAYPOLE
Maypole: a painted pole, decorated with flowers, around which people traditionally dance on May Day, holding long that are attached to the top of the pole.
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SOURCES
Pinterest
https://www.bpl.org/blogs/post/the-origins-and-practices-of-holidays-beltane-and-the-last-day-of-ridvan/
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Grimorie/ Book of shadows
Non-Fictionmy overall info on witch craft, information on many different things for quick access or on the go. This is notes and info from different sources compiled for convince. :) Everything will be updated and things will be added over time My practice- I...
