Table of Contents
Beltane
Beltane Thoughts
Beltane Crafts
Beltane Recipes
There are many ways to celebrate this Sabbat. For thousands of years, people would go into the fields to collect flowers and exchange them. Towns people would often proceed through the village streets putting flowers on all the houses and buildings. People inside the homes would offer them wonderful food and goodies to eat as sort of a spring version of "trick or treat."
Perhaps one of the most misunderstood traditions of Beltane is the custom of free sexuality on this night. Long after the Church had introduced its form of marriage with it's strict rules of sexual monogomy in an attempt to replace the older customs of handfasting, those strict rules of monogomy were relaxed for the May Eve celebration. Referred to as "Going a-Maying" young men and women would spend the night frolicking in the forest and then bring back boughs of flowers and garlands to decorate the village in the morning to celebrate these "Greenwood Marriages". Many young women became pregnant due to the woodland merriment, and the children conceived during these rites were referred to as "Merry be-got's".
For us more mature individuals, there is an undeniable energy in the air that can only be described as sensual. The Earth has awakened, shaken off her winter blanket and has begun to display her own sensuality in myriad ways. The flowers are blooming, the trees are leafing out, the sunlight is growing longer and as new life springs up and develops all around us, we cannot help but be stirred with thoughts of practicing a little reproduction of our own (even if it is only the practicing part). Yes, Beltane has a lingering sensuality and sexuality about it for those of us who are mature enough to delve into those sorts of energies.
Beltane marks the Handfasting of the God and Goddess, as well as the reawakening of the earth's fertility at its fullest. This is the union between the Great Mother and her Young Horned God. This coupling brings new life on earth. It is the unifying of the Divine Masculine and the Divine Feminine forms to bring forth the third form, consciousness. Through time immemorial, we humans have sought to connect more closely with Deity and Beltane is the perfect time to achieve that.
So, find your lover and share the joy to the God and Goddess... and remember that safety and sexuality go hand in hand. Explore the lingering Beltane energy and revel in the opportunity to show responsibility while celebrating the sexuality of the season. So, find yourself a big Maypole and dance around it! Rejoice in the unbounded energy that is Beltane and Spring and don't forget to leave a little trinket for the Faeries under your favorite tree!
You will need...
mosaic tiles purchased from hobby store OR
colorful plates carefuly broken into mosaic-sized pieces
4 oz. bottle of tile Adhesive (purchased from hobby store)
8 oz. jar premixed grout (purchased from hobby store)
Tile nippers (purchased from hobby store)
Plastic Grout Spreading Tool (purchased from hobby store)
Grout Sponge (purchased from hobby store)
Directions:
1. Dab a little glue on each of the four corners of each tile and carefully place tile on rim of flowerpot.
Center the tile along the rim, a little below the top edge.
2. Continue gluing down the tiles until the rim is covered. The last tile may need to be nipped to fit.
3. Continue gluing tiles onto the base of the pot so that they fit neatly together and the colors are evenly distributed.
Continue working until the whole pot is covered in an attractive "crazy quilt" design.
4. While the adhesive is still wet, tiles can be shifted with a craft stick until you are satisfied with the positioning. The adhesive will begin to dry within 5 to 7 minutes. Do not attempt to reposition the tile after the adhesive begins to set. The adhesive dries clear and can be peeled off, so don't worry if you get a little on the visible side of the tile. Make sure to keep your hands clean and free of adhesive while applying tile. Wash hands as needed.
5. Allow the tiles to dry for at least 12 hours (overnight is better).
Grouting
1. Fill a container with water and have handy plenty of paper towels. Run strips of masking tape along the inner sides of the pot to keep off the grout.
2. Using a plastic Grout Spreader Tool, scoop out grout and spread it over the tiles and into the 'crevices' between the tiles.
3. Work the grout into the crevices until it becomes smooth and level with the tile surface. The best way to do this is by spreading the grout in one direction and then spreading it in the opposite direction. When you have finished applying grout, wait about 15 minutes for it to harden slightly.
4. Dampen Grout Sponge with cool water and squeeze it. The sponge should be damp, but not soaking wet. Gently wipe the dampened sponge across the tile surface, removing excess grout from all surfaces. Wash out the sponge periodically while cleaning tile, as it really soaks up the grout.
5. Allow to dry overnight. Gently loosen any remaining excess grout from tile with a wooden craft stick. Gently polish tiles with a paper towel or cloth. For extra shiny tiles, polish with a small amount of vegetable or olive oil.
Give your pot as a gift or plant in it yourself!
You will need...
Black chenille stem
Any color bumpy chenille stem (for butterfly body)
4 Pom poms, optional
Wire cutters
Needle nose pliers
Tacky glue (if using pom poms)
Directions:
1. Cut the black chenille stem in half. (You will only use 1 piece for this project)
2. Bend the bumpy chenille stem in half in a V shape.
3. Fold down one end of the bumpy chenille stem to the base of the V. Bend around the V. The end should be pointing up.
4. Bend the bumpy chenille stem down to the base again. Bend around the V. This will form one side of the butterfly.
5. Repeat with other end of the bumpy chenille stem.
6. Be sure to use the needle nose pliers to hide any sharp ends.
7. Fold the black chenille stem in half.
8. Twist the bent end about 1/2" from the bend.
9. Slide the butterfly in-between the black ends of the chenille stem.
10. Twist the black chenille stem above the butterfly to hold it in place.
11. Separate the ends of the black chenille stem.
12. Bend one end of the black chenille stem over about 1/4". Bend again.
13. Repeat with other end. This makes the antennas.
14. If desired, place pom poms in the openings of the wings and use tacky glue to hold in place. Let dry.
15. If desired, hang with yarn or fishing line to make a mobile with your butterflies.
You will need...
An empty coffee can with a plastic lid (small, large, whatever you have).
Construction paper, glue & scissors.
Paint or markers.
Paintbrushes & water.
Dowels or sticks from trees in the park.
String, leather, feathers, beads ... any bits of scrap material you might have.
Directions:
1. You have two options here. Either paint the coffee can with paint or cover the can with construction paper.
2. Leave the plastic lid on the coffee can ... this will be your drum head.
3. If you cover the coffee can with construction paper, you can paint or draw designs and creatures on the coffee can. Have a look at pictures of different kinds of drums and the images found on them. (Try covering the can with aluminum foil for a neat effect.)
4. After the paint is dry, you can glue all sorts of decorations to your drum.
5. Using wooden dowels or simply wooden sticks, drum away on your new coffee can drum.
6. You can even try pounding the bottom of the coffee can with a rubber mallet to make a Carribean-style steel drum.
You will need...
Flat base, such as pieces of bark from tree.
Larger stone, sea shells, moss and other natural items to build the house with
Tiny stones, gravel etc. for walk ways
Tiny dried flowers, bag of potpourri works great
Anything natural that you find outdoors
Wood glue
Spray varnish
Directions:
1. Start with the flat base. Choose items for a house and glue to base.
2. Add walkways, trees, flower beds, windows, antennas, gazing balls, swings, porches, little piles of fire wood, just let your imagation go wild.
3. Your house may be as simple or elaborate as you think your faeries would like it to be.
Ingredients:
2 pounds ground beef
2 medium onions, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
48 ounces tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 to 4 milk chocolate kisses
2 (15-ounce) cans of kidney beans, undrained
Shredded cheddar cheese, corn chips and/or sour cream for garnishing
Directions
1. Cook first 3 ingredients in olive oil, in Dutch oven over medium heat.
2. Stir until ground beef crumbles, then drain.
3. Return mixture to Dutch oven and stir in the chili powder, tomato sauce, and chocolate kisses.
4. Cook over low heat for 15 minutes. Add kidney beans and cook until throughly heated.
5. Garnish with shredded cheese, corn chips and/or sour cream if desired.
Don't care for Chili? Perhaps you would rather try...
Ingredients:
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Dash cinnamon
1 tablespoon paprika
1 teaspoon cocoa
1/4 cup chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons coarse salt
4 (6-ounce) salmon filets
3 tablespoons oil
Directions
1. Heat a grill on medium-high heat.
2. Combine the sugar, mustard, cinnamon, paprika, cocoa, chili powder, cumin, pepper and salt.
3. Dip the salmon in the oil and tap off any excess oil.
4. Dip the filets in the spice mixture to coat both sides and around the edges.
5. Pat the spice mixture in place; you'll have some leftover.
6. Grill the salmon until it just begins to flake, about 4 minutes a side for 1-inch filets, or until it's done as desired.
This chocolate bread doesn't taste sweet. It tastes savory, and is good with cream cheese!
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon sunflower seed oil
2 teaspoons salt
1 3/4 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 (.25 ounce) package instant yeast
6 cups bread flour
4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Directions
1. Combine flour, salt, yeast, sugar, cocoa, sunflower oil, and water in a large bowl. Stir everything with a wooden spoon until you have a soft dough.
2. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface. Knead for five minutes, until smooth and elastic.
3. Divide the dough in half, and roll each half into a ball. Place both on a baking sheet. Cut crisscross designs in the tops, and cover with a kitchen towel. Let rise until double in size.
4. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 35 minutes.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounces GodivaŽ chocolate liqueur
1 1/2 ounces creme de cacao
1/2 ounce vodka
2 1/2 ounces half-and-half
Directions
1. Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake and pour into a chilled cocktail glass.
Ingredients:
Strawberries (preferably with stems on)
Good Quality chocolate (bittersweet milk, or white... your preference)
Parchment paper (or waxed paper)
Directions
Line a tray with parchment paper or waxed paper.
1. Wash and dry strawberries, leave stems on. Set out on parchment/waxed paper.
2. Melt chocolate in double boiler on very low heat, with 1 tablespoon vegetable shortening for gloss. Let chocolate melt completely, then remove from heat.
3. Dip strawberries at least one half up the sides holding them by the stem.
4. Lay the strawberries carefully on waxed paper. If the melted chocolate starts to thicken while you're working, slowly reheat it.
5. Refrigerate the chocolate covered strawberries until ready to serve, at least an hour.
*Note: White chocolate can also be used for dipping the strawberries. When melting white chocolate, stir constantly on very low heat, as white chocolate will tend to burn easier than darker chocolate.
Microwave Method:
Wash strawberries and then dry carefully with a paper towel. Lay strawberries on a sheet of waxed paper on a cookie sheet. Put small pieces of chocolate, any flavor, in a microwave safe bowl. Heat very carefully in the microwave, only 30 seconds at a time until just melted. Dip strawberries one at a time into the chocolate, letting some of the red berry show. These will take about an hour to harden, less time if you place the sheet in the refrigerator.
Tip:
Pack dipped strawberries in a singer layer in a plastic container with a lid. Serve within 24 hours, as strawberries tend to start to go bad after a day.
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