The Nine Sacred Woods Used to Kindle the Beltane Fire

Birch	Oak	Rowan
Willow	Hawthorn	Hazel
Apple	Grapevine	Fir
But NEVER		Elder

This is stated in this portion of the Wiccan Rede...

Beltane Throughout the World

- In Russia, tradition requires that the bale-fires be lit at moonrise rather than at sundown on April 30th. They toss holly sprigs into the fire in deference to the Holly King who is soon to return.


- In Sweden, the balefire must be lit by two people striking flints together. This is symbolic of the sexual union of God and Goddess.



- In Norway, the balefires are called Balder's fires in honor of their own Sun God. Old brooms were often burned in the balefire and new ones which had been made during the winter were brought out and dedicated to their purpose.



- Germanic and Dianic covens celebrate Beltane as a Night of the Dead. Ancestors are asked to join them at the warmth of the fire much the same way we celebrate Samhain.



- In Germanic lands, Beltane was called Walpurgisnacht and takes it's name from a christianized Teutonic Earth Goddess Walburga. She was thought to marry the God on this night and become impregnated with her son/lover of Yule.




- In Slavic countries, young men go from home to home just before sundown, gathering items to fuel the balefire. If a person wished for healing, they would give the young men a wreath to toss into the flames.




- Scotland balefires had to be started from a 'need-fire' so called because it's sole purpose was to cook upon. The need-fire was the only non-ritual fire permitted to burn on Beltane Day.



- It is traditional in many lands for people to jump the balefire. It was jumped to bring a husband or wife, to ensure safe travels. Pregnant women even jumped it to ensure an easy delivery. Cattle were driven through the ashes of the fire or between two balefires to ensure a good milk yield.



- It is traditional to take home a piece of the Beltane bale-fire and start the first cookfire of the summer season with it. To use old fire was to invite bad luck, perhaps even bringing the winter back to stay. The tradition of taking part of the fire is that you must not ask for it, just take it. There was a strong taboo in Scotland and Ireland against giving away any portion of the Beltane fire. It was the belief of most Europeans that fairies could not make their own fires and had to get them from a human source. To achieve this, it was believed that the fairies came to the Beltane celebration disguised as humans and would ask for a part of the Beltane fire to take with them. If you gave them a piece, you would give the fairies a measure of power over you.

- In the Alps of Italy, young men who wish to publicly express their intentions to court a woman will climb the slopes and collect Edelweiss, the delicate white perennial herb. He would then return to the festival and present it to the young woman of his choice. If she accepted them in front of witnesses, the couple was as good as engaged.



- A Beltane custom in Ireland is that of 'skimming the wells' which consisted of going to the well of a neighbor who was prosperous and skimming the surface of the water to acquire his luck for yourself. Of course, you could always skim your own well which not only ensured a good butter yield for the year but also kept your neighbors from acquiring your luck for themselves.

Other Beltane Traditions

In spite of the fact that sacred marriages were performed in May, it was considered unlucky to get married during that month. This is because the month of May was considered fit only for the Gods.




Making and exchanging wreaths of flowers or foliage is also a very old Beltane tradition. The wreaths were kept as amulets from Beltane until June, when they were placed on the Midsummer fire or in sacred groves or sanctuaries.


Weaving and plaiting are traditional arts at this time of year, for the joining together of two substances to form a third is in the spirit of Beltane.

Flower Meanings in Garlands and Chaplets

Weaving flower garlands, or flowered chaplets is a timeless Beltane tradition. They can be made from fresh, silk, or dried flowers and each flower has a particular meaning… What would you like your garland to symbolize? Decide what you want and then select the correct flowers from the following list.

FLOWER - MEANING

Azaleas - Nearness

Bachelor Buttons -Work, Individuality

Buttercup - Friendship

Bluebells - Protection

Camellia - Company, Gatherings

Clematis - Security, Steadfastness

Cowslip - Secrets, Divination

Crocus - Birth, Rebirth

Daffodils - Communication of secrets

Daisy - Simplicity, Divination

Dandelion - Divination

Elecampane - Fairies

Foxglove - to honor the fairies

Hawthorn - Divination, Ward off Illness

Heather - Powerful woman

Heliotrope - Wellness, Vitality

Honeysuckle - Fertility

Honesty - Honesty

Iris- Frail but hearty

Jasmine - Night rendezvous

Lady's Slipper - Wealth, Guard against spells

Lady's Smock - Presented to May Queen

Lily - Purity, life

Lily of the Valley - Death, transformation, change

Lupine - Passion

Magnolia - Unfolding events

Marsh Marigold - Keep evil fairies away

Morning Glory - Quickness

Mum - Affection

Myrtle - Remembrance, Fertility, Purity

Orchid - Promises kept

Pansy - Weakness

Petunia - Gentleness, Shyness

Primrose - Modesty, Guardianship

Queen Anne's Lace - Gentleness, Quiet strength

Rhododendron - In waiting

Rose, Red - Love, fidelity

Rose, Pink - Youth

Rose, Yellow - Infidelity

Rose, White - Silence

Snapdragons - Power, Man

Sunflower - Power, strength, watchfulness

Snowdrops - Children

Stitchwort - Pixies

Tulips - Constancy

Verbena - Motherhood

Violets, Purple - Fidelity

Violets, White - Betrayal

Water Lily- Other worldliness, dreams

Wintersweet - Eternity

Beltane Recipes

Orange White Chocolate Chip Beltane Cookies

Printed from Allrecipes, Submitted by Gypsy

These get crispy when cool. I named them for May 1, the day I invented them. They taste bright and sunny, like the summer season Beltane is supposed to herald. Makes 3 dozen (18 servings).

1 1/4 cups butter, softened

1 1/3 cups white sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 egg, beaten

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon baking powder

2 tablespoons orange zest

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Sift together flour, baking powder, salt, and orange zest.

3. In a bowl of mixer, cream butter on medium speed, adding sugar gradually. Add vanilla and egg. Add flour mixture gradually, stopping frequently to push down from sides of bowl. When flour mixture is thoroughly combined, mix in chips.

4. Drop dough by scant spoonful onto baking sheet, spacing 1 inch apart, flattening slightly with back of spoon.

5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) 10 to 12 minutes or until beginning to brown. Allow to cool completely on cooling rack.

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Irish Bannock

Among the eating traditions recorded at Beltane there was a custard-type mixture of eggs, milk and oatmeal, known as the Beltane Caudle which was cooked on the Beltane bonfire. Some of it was poured symbolically onto the ground so that the hens would lay plentifully in the coming year, the cows give abundant milk and the fields a rich harvest. The remainder was either eaten or poured over the Beltane Bannock.

Makes 1 round loaf ( 8 servings).

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons white sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup currants, raisins or dried cranberries

Directions

1. Combine flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

2. Cut butter into flour mixture with pastry cutter.

3. Add buttermilk until dough is soft. Stir in currants.

4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 5 minutes, or until smooth. Form dough into a 7 inch round. Place on a lightly oiled cake pan or cookie sheet.

5. Cut 1/2 inch deep cross side to side. Score with cross 1/2 inch deep on the top.

6. Bake in a preheated 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) oven for 40 minutes.

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Beltane Marigold Custard

2 Cups Milk

1 Cup Marigold Petals

1/4 tsp. Salt

3 Tbsp. Sugar

1 to 2 inch piece of Vanilla Bean *(Around 1 Tsp I think)

3 Egg Yolks, beaten slightly

1/8 tsp. allspice 1/8 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. rose water whipped cream

Directions

1. Using a mortar and pestle or a spoon, crush Marigold petals.

2. Mix Salt, sugar, and spices together.

3. Scald milk with the vanilla and the Marigolds.

4. Remove the Vanilla bean and add the egg yolks and dry ingredients.

5. Cook on low heat. When the mixture coats a spoon, add the rose water and let it cool.

6. Serve in bowls, garnished with Whipped Cream and fresh marigold petals.

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May Queen Cake

Adapted from American Cookery Magazine May 1920

1/2 Cup butter

1 Cup sugar

6 egg whites

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 Cup sour cream

2 Cup pastry flour

1/2 tsp. grated nutmeg

1/2 c finely shaved citron

Directions

1. Cream butter and sugar.

2. Add 3 beaten egg whites.

3. Dissolve baking soda in a little water and add to sour cream.

4. Add sifted pastry flour, nutmeg, and citron. Last add the remainder of egg whites.

5. Bake at 350 degrees in a pretty shaped tin until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean (around 30 minutes) and frost with any white icing.

Directions for Maypole

Use a striped candy to which narrow ribbons have been attached at top. The ribbons could drape into small Maybaskets arranged around the cake. Candy baskets would be more appropriate. Baskets of straw or paper, filled with fruit nuts or candy will give great pleasures to the May Queen and her maids.

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Irish Sorrel Soup

Sorrel is at its best in the Spring, right around Beltane. So why not utilize it?

1 lb Sorrel

3 oz Butter

Large onion, chopped

2 T Flour (heaped)

2 1/2 l Stock

2 T Breadcrumbs

Salt and pepper

2 Egg yolks

5-6 oz. Cream

Directions

1. Wash the sorrel well and chop it up.

2. Heat the butter in a saucepan and just soften the sorrel and onion in it.

3. Shake the flour over the vegetables and mix well. Let it cook for about 1 minute.

4. Meanwhile bring the stock to the boil, then add to the pan.

5. Add the breadcrumbs, season to taste, and bring to the boil, then simmer for about 1 hour covered. (It can be emulsified at this point, but needn't be.)

6. Beat the egg yolks with the cream and add a little of the hot soup to the mixture, stirring well; then add gradually to the soup pot, stirring well, over the heat, but being careful not to let it boil.

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May Day Punch

Adapted from American Cookery Magazine, May 1940, Serves 50

2 C sugar

1 C water

2 C tea infusion

2 C raspberry juice

3 C orange juice

2 C pineapple juice

1 C maraschino cherries

Ice water

1 qt pale ginger ale

lime juice ice cubes (1 cup fresh lime juice + 3 cups of water frozen as ice cubes)

Directions:

1. Cook sugar & water together 5 minutes. Cool.

2. Add tea infusion, raspberry, orange, & pineapple juices together in a large pitcher or punch bowl.

3. Add water to equal 6 quarts. Chill.

4. When serving, Add ginger ale and cherries. Pour over lime ice cubes.

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Wiccan Handfasting Cake

by Gerina Dunwich

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup honey

5 eggs

2 cups flour

2 tablespoons grated lemon rind

2-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon rose water

pinch of basil

6 fresh rose geranium leaves

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until fluffy and light.

2. Add the honey and mix well.

3. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

4. Gradually add the flour and blend thoroughly with a large wooden spoon after each addition.

5. Stir in the lemon rind, lemon juice, rose water and a pinch of basil --- the herb of love.

6. Line the bottom of a greased nine-by-five-by-three-inch loaf pan with the rose geranium leaves and then pour in the batter.

Bake the cake in a preheated 350 degree oven for one hour and fifteen minutes.

Remove from oven when done and let stand on a rack for twenty minutes before unmolding.

Spread icing or sprinkle sugar on top of the Handfasting Cake just before serving.

May Basket

From About.com

Materials Needed:

· Construction Paper

· Glue or Tape

Instructions:

1. Cut a triangle shape out of bright colored construction paper. Make the point flat and the long edge rounded

2. Roll the triangle into a cone and glue or tape the 2 sides together.

3. Cut a strip of construction paper that is approximately 12 inches by 2 inches.

4. Glue or tape it onto the top of your cone to make a handle.

5. Fill your cone basket with flowers (real, silk, or home-made) and give them to your family & friends or hang it on your neighbor's doorknob without getting caught!

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Mini May Day Basket Craft

From About.com

Materials Needed:

· Toilet Tissue Roll

· Tape

· Construction Paper or Wallpaper Scraps

· Markers or Paint

· Pipe Cleaner

Instructions:

1. Cut the toilet tissue roll in half so you have 2 circles.

2. Cover one opening with construction paper and tape securely in place.

3. Cut a strip of construction paper or wallpaper to cover the outside of the toilet tissue roll.

4. Use a hole punch and make 2 holes near the open hole of the toilet tissue roll.

5. Make sure the holes are directly across from each other.

6. Thread one end of the pipe cleaner into each hole.

7. Fold the ends up and wrap around the pipe cleaner to make the handle.

8. Fill your cone basket with flowers (real, silk, or home-made) and give them to your family & friends or hang it on your neighbor's doorknob without getting caught!

Hobby horse festivals are May festivals wherein a hobby horse (a costume warn by a single person and bearing only the slightest resemblance to a horse), dances through the town and performs various rituals. They are spiritual relatives of other nature-based British folk customs such as the Abbots-Bromley horn dance and morris dancing.

What is Morris Dancing?

Morris dancing is a form of ritual folkdance that is danced with purposes beyond fun, although it also fun. These purposes have to do with fertility and the rites of farming society. The dancers usually wear bells at their knees and often wave hankies (to attract and welcome benevolent spring and summer spirits) and/or clash sticks (symbolizing the eternal battle between winter and summer), and the dances are traditionally been performed around the time of major seasonal crosspoints in the calendar (particularly Beltane). All of the dancing is done to live music, traditionally performed on instruments such as pipe and tabor (a small drum), button accordion, fiddle, etc.

Table of Contents

A Beltane Poem	The Meaning of 'Beltane'	The Nine Sacred Woods	Bringing In The May
Going 'A-Maying'	The Maypole	Beltane Around The World	Beltane Traditions
Flower Garlands	Recipes for Beltane Feast	Making May Baskets	Hobby Horses/Morris Dancing

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