Beltane

April 28, 2010 Vicki
Tags: Beltane, children, crafts, faith, pagan, parenting, sabbat, wicca, wiccan

Beltane or Beltaine is the anglicised spelling of Bealtaine or Bealltainn, the Gaelic names for either the month of May or the festival that takes place on the first day of May. In the word belo-te the element belo- is cognate with the English word bale (as in ‘bale-fire’), the Anglo-Saxon bael meaning ‘white’ or ‘shining’ and from which the Baltic Sea takes its name.

Beltane is a fire festival which was traditionally marked by the driving of cattle through two large bale fires to purify them of any lingering winter illness and purifications of both fire and water are preformed at this time in modern rituals.

In Wiccan mythology Beltaine is a time for union between goddess and god. This day is dedicated to the fiery young god as this is the time when the God has grown into a young man and claims his role as the Goddess’ lover. Sexuality and passion are enjoyed at Beltane and the traditional May Poles are a phallic symbol representing the union of the God into the Earth Goddess. Also, many Wiccan couples will perform the ritual of hand fasting on this day.

May is a good time for outdoor celebrations such as may pole dancing, so you could try to find a local fair or carnival to visit, then invite your friends home, and sit under the stars surrounded by the people you love.

Activities and Rituals

Fertilize, planting seeds,
Nurture and boost existing goals,
Games, activities of pleasure, may pole dance,
Leaping bonfires,
Making garlands,
Walking one’s property, feasting 

Crafts for All Ages

Beltane Crown

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/beltanecrafts/ss/FloralCrown.htm

If you’re holding any kind of Beltane celebration at all, it’s all about the flowers! Be sure to jazz up your festivities with a crown of flowers — it looks beautiful on any woman, and really brings out the goddess within. Not only that, it’s pretty heavy on the fertility symbolism as well. A floral crown is easy to make with just a few basic craft supplies.

You’ll need the following:
• Pipe cleaners (preferably green, but any color works in a pinch)
• Spring flowers, such as daisies, irises, petunias (leave the stems on)
• Ribbon in whatever colors you love

Take the pipe cleaners and create a circle that will fit your head. This usually takes two pipe cleaners for adults, and maybe one and a half for kids. Twist the ends together to form a ring.

Next, take two more pipe cleaners and loop them around the ring. This creates a framework for you to add your flowers.

Take your spring flowers and weave the stems through the pipe cleaner frame. Tuck the flowers in snugly so that the frame is covered. If you have trouble getting them to stay in place, or if they seem loose, wrap a bit of green florist’s wire around them for additional stability.

Finally, cut several ribbons in a variety of lengths. Tie them to the back of the flower wreath.

House Happy Charm

from Seasons

This is a small sachet pillow stuffed with good things, an excellent gift when people newly in love move in together. All the while you’re assembling it, focus on their hopes, dreams and your bright wishes for their hearth.

Make a 5x5inch pillow from interesting material. Sew up three of four corners right sides together and then turn right way out.

Gather, mix and empower the following herbs:

Sage and Sandlewood for blessing and protection
Lavender for domestic tranquility
Rose petals to honor their love
Vervain for bright witchery
A couple drops of cinnamon oil.

Mix the above with your stuffing, stuff the pillow and sew the open end shut then decorate as desired.

In sacred space, dedicate it under the auspices of the Lord and the Lady
If you’re blessing your friends home for them, include the pillow in the ritual. If they’re doing their own home blessing, offer it as a house warming gift.

Faye Garden Furniture

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Items needed:
twigs, vines, dried flowers
needle and thread
scrap material
scissors
hot glue gun-be sure little fingers are safe!
pruners to cut the twigs-again watch those little fingers

Directions:

Decide what you’re going to make. We’ll make a chair, to give you an example. Cut the twigs in this manner – one long, bendable piece that will form the back legs and back of the chair, and four equal lengthen twigs which will form the two front legs and the seat. The chair should stand no more than four inches tall (including the back)

Bend the long twig, and hot glue one of the smaller pieces in between the two ends where you want the seat to be. This will be the back of the seat. Hot glue on each side of the bent twig facing towards you a smaller twig; these will be the sides of the seat. Glue the front piece of the seat to these side twigs. Glue the two front legs to the seat so that the chair legs are even. If you wish, wrap the vines around the chair back and legs. Cut the scrap material to form a “back” and a “seat” – these are NOT to be as wide as the chair, but will fit inside of the twigs. Using your needle and thread, attach the material to the chair using a whip stitch. Hot glue small dried flowers at the top of the chair. This technique can be used to make all kinds of fairy furniture, from tables to beds, to sofas – all of which are sure to delight your fairies as much as your children!

Entry Filed under: Colours,Crafts,pagan,parenting,Resources,Rituals,Sabbats,Uncategorized

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