Correspondences of Beltaine
(also spelled Beltane or Belteen)
Date(s): celebrated: starts on the evening of April 30th, concluding at sunset of May 1st, actual: the date on which the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus. This year-May 4th
Activities and Rituals: fertilize, nurture and boost existing goals, games, activities of pleasure, leaping bonfires, making garlands, May Pole dance, planting seeds, walking one's property, feasting
Colors: Red, White, Brown, Pink, Green
Tools: Broom, May Pole, cauldron
Stones/Gems: Emerald, malachite, amber, orange carnelian, sapphire, rose quartz
Symbols & Decorations: May Pole, fires, fertility, flowers, growing things, ploughs, cauldrons of flowers
Foods: Dairy, bread, cereals
Flowers, Herbs: Lily of the valley, foxglove, rose, broom, Hawthorne, Dittany of Crete, elder, mint, mugwort, thyme, yarrow, almond tree/shrub, clover, ivy, marigold, meadowsweet, rowan, sorrel, woodruff
Deities: Aphrodite, Artemis, Bast, Diana, Faunus, Flora, Maia, Pan,
the Horned God, Venus, and all Gods and Goddesses who preside over fertility.
Animals: Swallow, dove, swan, Cats, lynx, leopard
Other Names: Cetsamhain (opposite Samhain),May Day, Fairy Day,Sacred Thorn Day, Rood Day, Roodmas (the Christian term for Rood Day, Old Beltane, Beltaine, Beltain, Baltane, Walpurgis Night, Floriala (Roman feast of flowers from April 29 to May 1), Walpurgisnacht (Germanic-feast of St. Walpurga), Thrimilce (Anglo-saxon), Bloumaand (Old Dutch)
Ideas and Activites
*** are also great to do with children ;)
***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.
Make a miniature maypole for your altar if you can not make a full size version
Get a new mirror, or use one you have already, and decorate it with ribbons and flowers for your bedroom
Fill a cauldron or a large bowl with fresh flowers (wildflowers are best)
***Braid bracelets out of white ribbons and give them as gifts to friends or family
***Make a dish of fruits, berries, nuts and leave in the wood for the animals and fae folk to enjoy
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!
Create a special wreath for the top of the May Pole
***Make "May Day" baskets of flowers and leave on friends and family's doorsteps as a surprise gift. Maybe they'll think a faerie did it!
***Create hair pieces and garlands for decorating your head or around your neck from flowers that are in bloom
***Tie ribbons to trees to celebrate the coming of spring. Make a wish each time you tie a ribbon as it's good luck to wish for things on this day!
Bathe your face in the morning dew to retain youth.
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.
***Dance the May Pole
During the Maypole dance, think about what you wish to weave into, or out of, your spirit. The Maypole is an ancient symbol of the male aspect of the Divine, while the ribbons are strands of life. Have small baskets of goodies around the room to symbolize the coming abundance and to enjoy after the Circle. Magic is hungry work. (from Trish Telesco's Victorian Grimoire)
Do a Beltane Day Spell for Health and Happiness
Plant your frost sensitive bulbs now. Use the wonderful Bulb Planting Chant below.
Incenses
By Dawn Walenda
Beltane
2 parts Frankincense
2 parts Myrrh
1 part Benzoin Gum
1 part Red Copal
1 part Lavender
1 part Night Blooming Jasmine Flowers
1 part Rose Petals
1part Sandalwood
Love
1 part each:
dragon's blood resin powdered
myrtle
rose petals
orris root powder
lavendar buds
4 drops each:
musk
patchouli
grind and mix evenly and allow to dry out for 1 week
Beltane Oil
By Dawn Walenda
Mix the following essential oils in 2 tablespoons of almond or other light weight odorless oil:
5 drops Rose
1 drop Lavendar
1 drop musk
4 drops Jasmine
Fun for the Kids
***fun for grownups too ;)
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.
Make easy wreaths for your head and for anyone who might celebrate Beltane with you.
***Make some lovely garden furniture for the fae folk.
Crafts
Make some lovely garden furniture for the fae folk.
Make a mini May Pole.
Chain some Daisies.
Make some paper May Baskets and pick flowers to put in them to hang on the doors of neighbors at dawn.
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