On the eve of Beltane the Celts build two large fires, created from the nine sacred woods, in honor of Summer. The tribal herds were ritually driven between them, so as to purify and protect them in the upcoming year. The fires celebrate the return of life and fruitfulness to the earth. Celebration included frolicking throughout the countryside, dancing the Maypole, leaping over fires, and "going a maying". It was customary for young lovers to spend the night in the forest.

Beltane was the time of sensuality revitalized the reawakening of the earth and all of her children. It was the time when tribal people celebrated with joy the vivid colors and vibrant scents of the season, tingling summer breezes, and the rapture of summer after a long dormant winter. It was customary that Handfastings, for a year and a day, take place at this time. On May Eve people would tear branches from a Hawthorn tree and decorate the outside of their homes. The Hawthorn, or Whitethorn, is the tree of hope, pleasure, and protection. The strong taboo on breaking Hawthorne branches or bringing them into the home was traditionally lifted on May Eve.

Another custom was to leap over the Beltane bonfire. Young people jumped the fire for luck in finding a spouse, travelers jumped the fire to ensure a safe journey, and pregnant women jumped the fire to assure an easy delivery.

Nine Scared Woods of Beltane

Beltane is traditionally a time for also working with the Faery folk, offerings of flowers and or sweets left in home or garden will surely please the fae, thus blessing you with gentle abundance for the season.

Morris Bells

Morris bells are worn by English folk dancers during the dance of the "Maypole" Briefly, the Cotswold Morris is a traditional folk dance, which was found in small villages around Oxford, England at the end of the 19th century. It was a central part of annual springtime rituals throughout the region. The dancers wear dozens of bells on each leg, wield sticks and/or handkerchiefs, and dance to lively folk tunes.

You can cut lengths of ribbon to the size of your ankles, thread three bells onto each length of ribbon and tie around your ankles with a bow. Dance around a bit wearing your "Morris" bells to greet the spring and attract the helpful "Fae" to your home and garden.

Here is an idea, if you are not able to attend an actual may pole celebration. You can still enjoy the tradition of Welcoming Spring and a great start to celebrating Beltane. Try your hand at a colorful May Pole candle, instructions below:

May pole candle

You will need;

Gold craft Bells
Pastel colored ribbons
Tall white, yellow or green pillar candle
Candle holder (stand)

Cut lengths of ribbon around 18 inches each, in pretty Springtime colors.( pastels) Tie a craft bell to each end of ribbon (a tooth pick helps this process) Tie ribbons starting at 3/4 way down the pillar candle, knot three times don't tie bows, you need lots of length on the ribbons. Tie as many as you like snaking your way up the candle, but leave at least 1/4 candle bare. Place in a candle stand that will raise the candle about 6 - 8 inches, so the ribbons can "drape" Swirl the bundle of ribbons so they face East, ready to greet the dawn. Light candle and cheer the Spring time blessings to come.

Originally created by Barbara Morris 1999

Traditional Beltane Lore

Fruits, flowers and baskets as decoration for your altar and around home. Baskets decorated with ribbons and filled with citrus fruits and Springtime flowers left at your front door will guide the Fae to you, as well as strewn flowers inside and out side your door, especially on your "Welcome" mat. Making citrus potpourri , fresh fruit drinks and sweets made from fruit. Gathering Springtime wildflowers, and Oak leaves to make wreaths for the head. Don't forget to leave an offering of sweet May wine or honey milk for the Fae by your front door.

Herbs of Beltane

Originally written by Barbara Morris 1999- 2003

Creating Fairy Magic in Your Garden

You can also create tiny places for fairies in your garden. A birdbath or a fountain is a perfect place for fairies to bathe. You can make tiny caves using rocks. Hide them under rose bushes and beneath ivy. Tables and chairs can be made from stone. Make a table using a flat piece of rock such as slate. Use four smaller stones at each corner for table legs. You can set stones around the table to serve as chairs. If the stones fall over, you can glue them with hot glue or super glue to the bottom of the table. Line your fountains with small stones and place stones in the water on which fairies can sit. Set aside a place where you will honor your guests. Welcome them by leaving honeycakes and other goodies for them to eat. Fairies are fond of sweets. Leave a place on a flat stone where you can leave a plate of treats for your visitors. Just remember to change them often. The fairies may or may not take the actual food. Remember that they live on the spiritual plane and can take the essence of the food and leave the empty shell behind. Fairies will appreciate if you leave one small area of your garden unkempt. Placing a statue there will help it look more decorative and can even make the area look older and more wild. If you cannot afford a statue, you can make rings of nine stones or tiny replicas of Stonehenge. Tiny temples can be built with just a little imagination.

Can you solve the puzzle of the "Forest Fairy"?

Faery Chant

"This May eve as I sprinkle,
small foot prints in a twinkle.
Welcome to my happy home,
Faery folk, elf and gnome."

~ Barbara Morris 2001

Candle colors for Beltane Rituals

Red - Representing the Sacred Bale Fires, the Lord
Light Blue - For Tranquility and Health
Light Green - Earth's growth, the Lady
Pale Yellow - For Spring Flowers
Lavender - For Faery magic

~ Barbara Morris 2001

Beltane Recipes

Faery Sugar

3 cups fine white sugar
1 tablespoon Vanilla extract (the good stuff)
1/8 teaspoon red food coloring
Glass container

Lay sugar on wax paper & sprinkle on the Vanilla ~ Stir into the sugar till all mixed in. ~ Next sprinkle on the red food coloring and incorporate in till sugar turns “Faery pink”. ~ Save in glass container, you have labeled 'Faery Sugar' ~ You can now use this special treat in Faery cookies, cakes and offerings to the Fae. You can eat some your self, but remember the recipe is a secret!

~ Barbara Morris 2001

Candied Violets

An egg white
Violet flowers and leaves
Fine or crystal Sugar
Small paint Brushes

1. Wash the violets and leaves, and let dry.
2. Separate the egg. Put yolk away for other use.
3. Dip small brush in egg whites and paint petals front and back.
4. Sprinkle sugar on the violets covering them completely.
5. Put the violets on waxed paper to dry.
You can do the leaves in the same manner.
Use as garnish on ice cream, cakes and offering to the wee ones…

Lavender Herb Bread

1 pk Active dry yeast
1/4 cup Warm water
1 cup Low-fat cottage cheese
1/4 cup Honey
2 TB sweet Butter
1 Ts Dried lavender buds
1 TB Fresh lemon thyme
1/2 TB Fresh basil; finely chopped
1/4 Ts Baking soda
2 Eggs
2 1/2 cup Unbleached flour
Softened Sweet Butter (for top)

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. In a larger bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, honey, butter, herbs, baking soda and eggs. Stir in the yeast mixture. Gradually add flour to form a stiff dough, beating well after each addition. Cover and let rise about 1 hour, or until doubled in bulk. Stir the dough down with a spoon. Place in a well-greased 1 1/2 or 2 qt. casserole or ten 4" individual pie tins. Let rise 30 to 40 minutes, or until doubled in bulk. Bake at 350 F. for one hour for a large loaf, 20 to 30 minutes for small loaves. When done, turn onto a rack, brush top(s) with soft butter, and let cool.

Yield: 1 large round loaf or 10 individual dinner rolls.

Beltane Spell for Warding off Disease

Beltane is an appropriate time to perform spells to ward off disease, as the ancient Celts once drove their livestock through the smoke of their sacred Beltane bonfires to keep disease at bay. To perform this spell you will need a piece of white chalk and a white candle that has never before been burned. With the chalk, draw a pentagram on the floor about four feet wide. Light the white candle and hold it in your right hand. Step into the pentagram, face east, and thrice recite:

"Beltane, fire of enchantment, burn without and within.
Let this sabbat spell begin!
Ofano, Oblamo, Ospergo, Hola Noa, Massa Lux Beff, Clemati, Adonai, Cleona, Florit, Pax Sax Sarax, Afa Afaca Nostra, Cerum Heaium, Lada Frium. So mote it be!"

~ by: Gerina Dunwich

Images of Beltane

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2010 Barbara Morris / Moonsmuses.com