LITHA/SUMMER SOLSTICE CRAFTS

HI to ALL,

As the wheel continues to turn again we find ourselves nearing " Summer Solstice".

Litha/Midsummer is one of the Wiccan Sabbats and is usually celebrated on June 21st, but varies somewhat from the 20th to the 23rd, dependant upon the Earth's rotation around the Sun. This year it is on the 20th of June. The sun is at the height of its power before beginning its slide into darkness and we experience the longest day and shortest night of the year.

While steamy Midsummer marks the beginning of the Sun's dying strength the season itself is very lush. The Sun, flowers and Earth are in full bloom. Hot Midsummer creates a fiery, mature, breathless passion. The God is at the very height of his power as we hit midsummer, at this point of the year the gardens are coming along nicely . We have done all of the planting associated with spring and life gets a little easier as we sit back and tend what we've created. Its a time of great celebration before we meet the work ahead as the harvest comes in. On Midsummer the veil between the worlds is said to be very thin making this a great time for divination, historically many maidens would divine a husband at this time. Midsummer's Eve is said to be a time when fairies abound in great numbers this is a great time to commune with them and leave gifts of sweets outdoors.

Litha celebrates abundance, fertility, virility, the beauty and bounty of Nature. Harnessing the Suns great power makes all types of magic appropriate now. We can also harvest the first of our magical herbs at this time since they are drenched with the great power of the sun on this longest day of the year. It is a good time for empowerment, for strong magic for hand fastings and communing with Nature Spirits.

The journey into the harvest season has begun.

Here are some craft ideas you might like to try, and some traditional Litha activies. I am going to do a series of blogs early this year which will include lots of recipes for the Solstice feast ( lots of new, and some old favorites) crafts, and Litha lore. I thought to do this earlier as even last year I felt I was way to late even for myself to try something new! !! :-)

Enjoy

Bee

Sea Shell Wreath


Courtesy of Jo-Ann etc Experience the Creativity Magazine



Shore thing! A seasonal wreath in celebration of summer makes a comely conversation piece.
Finished size: Approximately 12"/30.5cm across
Materials
10" /25.5cm Styrofoam wreath base
about 15 small bags of seashells (use shells approximately same size and color)
Lion brand textured jute ribbon
hot glue gun & glue sticks
spooled floral wire
scissors
clear-drying craft glue
Preparing
1. With 18"/46cm-long trailing end, wrap wreath base with textured ribbon, gluing in place as you go.
2. Continue wrapping ribbon until entire wreath is covered, slightly overlapping edges to ensure there are no gaps between rows.
3. Trim ribbon, leaving 18"/46cm-long trailing end. Tie ribbon ends in large bow. Trim ends even and seal in back with clear-drying craft glue.
Assembling: Hot glue shells to wreath base, clustering and overlapping shells to create solid surface. Vary placement of shells for design interest. Use smaller shells to fill any gaps. Cut small piece of wire and use to secure bow. Tuck wire ends under knot.

BEE Bird House

Materials:

Gourd
Sand Paper
Paints...Black Light buttermilk (Americana)Straw (Delta Ceramcoat)Old Parchment (Delta Ceramcoat)
Drill with Bits
Jute
Matte Spray Varnish
Black Permanent Marker
Flat Brush for Base coat
Round Brush for detail
Tack Cloth
Pencil
Instructions:Clean, and sand a dried gourd.( you can grwo these your self) Wipe with a tack cloth. Drill 2 small holes at the top of the gourd large enough to thread jute. Drill a larger hole to act as a hole for the bird. Base coat the gourd with 2 coats of Old Parchment allowing each coat to dry thoroughly. Draw on the Bees (See Bee Pattern above) in a random pattern making sure they are facing all directions. They look goods in groups of 3 or alone. Base coat the wings in Light Buttermilk. Let dry. Base coat the bee body in Straw. Let dry. Base coat the head and stripes in Black. Let dry. Outline the wings, add antenna and a stinger with a permanent marker. You can also add the dotted lines to show where he has been and the curved lines to hint at wing movement. Allow to dry thoroughly before you spray with a matte finish. Thread jute through the top holes of the gourd and tie for hanging. You can add lengths of jute in a bow if you'd like. Optional: You may want to add Buzz on Inn around the door opening but make sure you allow for this when you draw the bees on.

Activities:

• 
  This is a good time for clearing away non-useful energies, and establishing a stable base. (bees choice)

• Cleansing may include leaping a fire (a low one, please), or putting herbs symbolizing (or charged with) the non-useful energies into a fire. You may leap a fire not only for purification, but to re-energize yourself.
• 
  Litha is a time for healing of all kinds, and protection rituals.
• 
  Get all your friends together with some drums and rattles, and dance the whole night through. A Spiral Dance would be nice, too. "Sing, Dance, make Music and Love, all in my Presence..." ( I think i will organize this for Castsel Raven?)
• 
  Make your own "Green Man" mask. Cut eye-holes in a paper plate. Let them glue on real or construction paper leaves.
• 
  Go berry picking. Have the children chose their best berry and throw it back into the berry bushes as they thank the Goddess and the bushes for the fruit.
• 
  Burn a Wreath in the bon fire or try using Wreaths of Vervain and Mugwort which were burned in ancient times at the end of the festivals to burn away bad luck. (bees choice)
• 
  Many families placed roses on the tables, as this is the Goddess flower for this time of the year. Try this yourself for a beautiful and fragrant decoration. (Bees choice I love my roses!)
• 
  Leave out milk and honey as an offering to the Fae folk (Bees choice)
• 
  Put a ring of flowers around a bowl full of mugwort
• 
  Hang a bundle of fresh herbs out to dry and use them to spice up a Litha feast of cooked summer vegetables (bees choice)
• 
  Light a white candle and place it in front of a mirror. Say your own Litha prayer over it, and then let it burn out ( bees choice)
• 
  Make a charm to hang around your neck with a seashell
• 
  Have an outdoor breakfast picnic to welcome the Solstice (great idea!! Bees choice)
• 
  Stay up and watch the sun come up on the longest day of the year! (Bees choice)
• 
  
  Try a fire divination, stare into the coals of your bonfire as it settles or look for forms in the leaping flames.
• 
  
  Make protection amulets for friends and family dispose of last years amulet in the Litha bonfire
  

In Memory

I am a United States Marine. My tenets are Duty, honor, and commitment in service to god, country, and corps. No matter the cost; nor matter the sacrifice; to the last full measure; I will do my duty. I will honor the traditions of those Marines that have gone before me; as they have passed to me so will I pass to those who follow the sword to freedom, the banner of courage, the unblemished honor of the corps; for service without honor is not service. I will serve with honor and remain faithful at all times; to my Corps, my division, my regiment, my company, my platoon, my squad, my fire - team, and to these tenets. I will be commented. I am a Marine. Not a ex, or a former marine; I am or I am not. There is no middle ground.

I AM A UNITED STATES MARINE

William MacDonald

Lady Luna

Hi to all, Are these moths fairy like or what.. ? I hope to see one,*~* One day...?

Sparkles

Bee

"Luna Moth Lore"

Their power is of the whirlwind - Ease of movement in darkness/shadow - Transformation - Ability to confuse enemies - Ability to find light in darkness

This nocturnal insect is found in deciduous hardwood forests in North America, from Canada to Northern Mexico. The Luna moth has a wingspan of 3 to 4 1/4 inches (7.5-10.8 cm). Males and females are similar in appearance, but the antennae of the males appear more feathery. Classification: Family Saturniidae, Genus Actias, Species luna.

Luna moths are one of the most unusual and beautiful of the North American moths known as Saturnidae. They are a light-green moth that has long, curving tails on its hindwings and distinctive eyespots on all four wings. Although they are often seen in pictures, they are a real surprise when found in nature. Although they are common throughout the eastern U.S., their night flying habits and short life span as an adult moth, only about 1 week, combine to make them a rare find. The luna moth, with a wingspan of 4.5-5.0 inches, is one of the largest moths in North America and is very common in many of the eastern states from Maine all the way to Florida. They usually are seen less as you go westward to Texas and the Great Plains. It is also found in southern regions of many Canadian provinces such as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskachewan.



Life Cycle: The Luna moth starts life as a tiny egg that hatches into a plump lime-green caterpillar with tiny orange spots along the sides. This slow-moving caterpillar eats the leaves of the white birch, alder, persimmon, sweet gum, hickory, walnut, or sumac trees. After eating and growing, the caterpillar builds a brown, tent-like cocoon, and eventually emerges as a fully-grown adult. The adult Luna moth does not eat; it only mates and reproduces.

May is Fairy Month

The month of May is tradition­ally associated with the fairies, and interactions between this world and the fairy realm. In Celtic folklore, human beings venture forth to meet with both mortal, and fairy lovers. If you desire this type of relationship, carry talismans of protection that will allow you to return to this world. These Scottish lyrics tell of a union with a fairy lover — use them if you dare.

Wine of the wort
I'll give to thee,
Well I'll love thee,
Under the plaid,
If you come home with me
To the fairy knoll.

I was last night In the meadow,

Drinking ale with the Beguiling one.
I left my love in the doorway Of the fairy bower

With eyes like a star, and a voice like a Stringed instrument
My green-clad love Of the mist.

I must add this tid bit. Maybe some of you can try this next year?

In the month of April on Betane Eve try this "Beltane Eve Fairy Spell".

On the eve of Beltane the fairies are out in force. this is a fairy spell to work in your own garden or backyard. Gather together violets, St. John's wort, and clover. The violets are a fairy favorite. The St. John's wort will protect you from becoming fairy-led or tricked, and the clover is for prosperity and good luck. Gather these plants together, forming a little posy, and then tie it up with green ribbons. Blow the fair­ies a kiss and leave the posy as a gift. Now go and sit in the garden and try to meditate or to communicate with the fairies.

Say to yourself;

Fairies from far and wide,

I offer you a gift,

Tied up in green for luck,

And sealed with a kiss.

I can sense you If I'm pure of heart,

Bless me with good luck and sooth my dreaming heart.

Fleur-de-Lis - Mists of Antiquity

Hi to all, I wanted to do a blog entry on the "Fleur" for some time now. I find it so interesting. Not only as a flower, but it's long historical significance. The photo above is in the color of the Fleur that live in my gardens--> Royal Purple.

Enjoy!



Sparkling Bee






The emblem of royalty. The symbol of elegance, refinement and opulence. The iris has been cherished by kings, queens and gardeners since the beginning of history. During the Crusades,Louis VII of France chose the iris as his personal
symbol, known as the FJeur-de-Louisr which later became Fleur-de-Lis. Ever since, the stylized iris has been the symbol of French royalty. It glistened on the robes of the Sun King, Louis XIV. It is etched,carved and gilded into every comer of Versailles, the palace of Trench kings. And in the gardens of this paradise, the noble iris still reigns supreme.





Fleur History

Few heraldic emblems have been so controversial as the fleur-de-lis (or fleur-de-lys or flower-de-luce). Its history stretches far back in time, allegedly into the "mists of antiquity", and its quasi-mystical origins were seemingly accepted unquestioningly by early churchmen. One scenario identifies it as the lily given at his baptism to Clovis, King of the Franks (from AD 481 to 511), by the Virgin Mary, a tradition presented in evidence by the French bishops at the Council of Trent (AD 1545-63) to support their arguments for the precedence of their king, François I. The lily was claimed to have sprung from the tears shed by Eve as she left Eden (just as that unrelated flower, the lily of the valley, was said to have grown from the tears of the Virgin at the foot of the Cross). From its earliest records (it was the flower of Hera, the Greek moon goddess) it has been the symbol of purity and was accordingly readily adopted by the Church to associate the Virgin Mary's sanctity with events of special significance. Thus when Pope Leo III in AD 800 crowned Charlemagne as Emperor, he is reported to have presented him with a blue banner covered (semé) with golden fleurs-de-lis (an event which may have given birth to the legend of the Virgin's gift to Clovis, as it undoubtedly formed the basis of Nicolas Upton's reference, around AD 1428, to Charlemagne having received the banner Azure semé of fleurs-de-lis Or from an angel). Clovis is the same name as Lois, Loys and Louis, and as Loys was the contemporary spelling used by the Kings of France until Louis XIII (AD 1610), ":fleur-de-lys" has been claimed as a corruption of "fleur-de-Loys". Other imaginative explanations include the shape having been developed from the image of a dove descending, which is the symbol of the Holy Ghost, and, as Rouge Croix Pursuivant John Guillim explained in his Display of Heraldrie (1611), of it being a distortion of the outline of a toad.
That the French kings long used the fleur-de-lis as an emblem of their sovereignty is irrefutable. On his seal of AD 1060 (before heraldry became formalised) Philip I sits on his throne holding a short staff that terminates in a fleur-de-lis. The same staff appears in the great seal of Louis VII (AD 1137-80), whose signet ring was charged with a single fleur-de-lis. The great seals of Philip II and Louis VIII show them seated, holding in one hand a flower and in the other a sceptre on which is mounted an heraldic fleur-de-lis within a lozenge. But long before this, although it may perhaps be merely coincidence and unrelated to later practice, the Roman Emperor Hadrian (AD 117-138) issued a coin which represented Gaul (as France then was) with a woman holding a lily in her hand Louis VII is believed to have been the first to use Azure semé of fleurs-de-lis Or (now abbreviated to Azure semé-de-lis Or and designated "France Ancient") on his shield, but its use on a banner, and especially on the French royal standard, may have been earlier than this. (The reduction to three fleurs-de-lis, today designated as "France Modern", was commanded by Charles V in 1376, reportedly in honour of the Holy Trinity. This was copied by Henry IV of England who, following Edward III, had symbolised the English claim to France by placing the French lilies in his first quarter.)
Alexander Nisbet in 1722, after distinguishing between the natural lily, "the lily of the garden", and the stylised lily, "the lily of the flag", observed of the oriflamme ~





The other lilies, as those of France, so well known ....... having only but three leaves, is by the Latins called flos iridis, and by the French fleur de l'iris; being always called the flower of the rainbow or iridis, which the French call fleur-de-lis, from the river Lis, as some will; and anciently flams or flambs, which signifies the same: Whence the Royal Standard of France was called the oriflam or oriflambe, being a blue banner, charged with golden flower-de-luces, a suitable figure, say some, for the Franks, who come from the marshes of Friezland.





Two points are worth noting here. First, the seeming confusion between the iris and the lily is commonly found throughout all the early writings on this subject, for it was only during the 19th century that the iris ceased to be known as a lily. Second is the reference to the river Lis. Today, in France, this is the River Lys, and its continuation downstream into Flanders is, in Flemish, the River Leie. Here, to the west of Ghent (where it flows through the lands once held by the Gavere family, the first to bear the tressure flory-counterflory featuring the fleur-de-lis), the golden iris may still be found on its banks. The heraldic representation of the flower sweeps the upper pair of its five petals inwards to merge with the centre one, while the lower pair curve downwards. The photograph of the pressed and dried flower below left shows the results.
So although the legendary origins of the fleur-de-lis have caught imaginations down the centuries, and are still to be found in heraldic textbooks, Nisbet's casual comment is worth more than later writers have allowed it. The lily, now called an iris, still grows along the Lys in lands drained by the Franks. When pressed and dried it reveals clearly the shape of the stylised heraldic charge. This is, on balance, its most probable origin.





The Baronage Press

My Mother's Day Lilly

Hi to all This is the beautiful Lily I bought myself for Mother's Day... I put in in my green house, and this morning the whole building smelled so spectacular.. I just stayed in there, and breathed deep!!!!

Hugs Bee

Hybrid Oriental Lilies - This one is new called Dizzy or Hot Lips.

Oriental Lilies are one of the most beautiful of all lilies and their fragrance permeates the garden air. These are the lilies that florists favor for summer bouquets and bridal centerpieces. Blooming later in the season than most other lilies, these exotic beauties are truly spectacular in color and flower size. Grows in Zones 3 - 10.

Lily is a symbol of beauty, majesty and honor, with the White Lily representing innocence and purity. The Tiger Lily depicts wealth, pride and prosperity,

6th Moon of the Celtic Year

HAWTHORN LORE

6th Moon of the Celtic Year - (May 13 - June 9)

Latin name: crataegus oxyacantha (from the Greek 'kratos' - hardenss, 'oxus' - sharp, and 'akantha' - thorn).
Celtic name: Huath (pronounced: Hoh' uh)
Folk or Common names: Bread and Cheese Tree, Gaxels, Hagthorn, Halves, Haw, Hazels, Huath, Ladies' Meat, May, Mayblossom, May Bush, Mayflower, May Tree, Midland Hawthorn Quick, Thorn, Tree of Chastity.
Parts Used: Berries, wood, branches, seeds, flowers.

Herbal usage:

The berries are used as a cardiac tonic. Since this is a powerful herb it is best not to be used alone, so mix it with borage, motherwort, cayenne, garlic & dandelion flowers. Hawthorn leaves can be used as a substitute for oriental green tea, the seeds can be roasted and used like coffee. Hawthorn makes a light, hard, apple-like wood. Hawthorn usually doesn't grow much bigger than a shrub, and is popular in England as a hedge plant. The wood from the Hawthorn provides the hottest fire known. Its leaves and blossoms are used to create a tea to aid with anxiety, appetite loss and poor circulation. The pink or white star-shaped blossom gives off a musky scent - for many men, a strong scent of female sexuality. They are edible, sprinkled on desserts. Young leaves (country name - pepper and salt) can be eaten in salads and sandwiches.

Magical History & Associations:

The bird associated with this month is the night crow, the color is deepest black, and the gemstone is Lapis Lazuli. The Greeks and Romans saw the Hawthorn as symbolic of hope and marriage, but in medieval Europe it was associated with witchcraft and considered to be unlucky. This seeming contradiction is to be expected from a tree with such beautiful blossoms and such deadly-looking thorns. Hawthorne has a strong association with water. It is a Masculine herb, associated with the planet of Mars and the element of Fire. Hawthorn is so strongly associated with the Celtic May Eve festival of Bealtaine (Beltane) that "may" is a folk name for it. Whitethorn is another name popular in Brittany, where the tree marks Fairy trysting places. Sacred hawthorns guard wishing wells in Ireland, where shreds of clothing ("clouties") are hung on the thorns to symbolize a wish made. The Roman goddess Cardea, mistress of Janus who was keeper of the doors, had as her principal protective emblem a bough of Hawthorn. "Her power is to open what is shut; to shut what is open." Hawthorn is also associated with the deities of Flora (orgiastic use), the White Goddess Maia, and Hymen. There is an old legend which says that the first Hawthorn bush grew from the staff of St Joseph. The Burning Bush of Moses is a variety of hawthorn, Crateagus pyracantha. Hawthorn is one of the nine woods that is traditionally placed on the Bale-fire: "Hawthorn is burned to purify And draw faerie to your eye..."

Magical usage:

The month of Hawthorn is a good time to do magic designed to clear away old habits and spiritual cobwebs. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love and marriage, health and prosperity, Fertility, Purification, Chastity, male potency, Fishing Magic, purity, inner journeys, intuition, female sexuality, cleansing, and Happiness.

The fey are said to especially like Hawthorn groves, since the Hawthorn is sacred to them. Hawthorn is one of the tree fairy triad of Britain: 'Oak, Ash and Thorn', and where all three trees grow together it is said that one may see fairies. The flowers are supposed to "bring fairies into the house. Solitary Hawthorn trees growing on hills or near sacred wells act as 'markers' to the faery realm. It is said that a person should never cut a blooming Hawthorn, as the fey will become angry. It is also said that sitting under a Hawthorn tree in the month of May might mean being lost forever to the unknown, mystic faery world. Even today, in parts of Ireland and Wales, it is a spring custom to braid crowns of Hawthorn blossoms and leave them for faeries, who come at night and dance around them. This custom brings blessings to whoever left the crown.

In many parts of Europe it was customary in the spring or early summer to go out to the woods and cut down a Hawthorn and bring it in back to the town. There the Hawthorn was set up with much celebration. Branches of the Hawthorn were also fastened to all the houses. This custom was said to bring the blessing which the Hawthorn tree-spirit has in its power to bestow into the village. Hence the custom in some places of planting a May-tree before every house, or of carrying the village May-tree from door to door so that every household may receive its share of the blessing. May poles used to be decorated, and sometimes even made from Hawthorn.

Hawthorn has strong protective qualities. Hawthorn can be attached to a cow barn and the cows will stay healthy and produce an enormous milk supply. A globe made of Hawthorn can be placed in the kitchen for fire protection. Hawthorne in the rafters of a home is good for protection against spirits, and ghosts. In the past most witch's gardens contained at least one Hawthorn hedge for protection, as well as being one of the ingredients in the famous Flying Ointment. Leaves can also be used as a charm to protect a newborn child and a thorn carried in a pouch can bring good luck while fishing and can also ward off depression. A Hawthorn branch hung from the roof or chimney of a house will protect it from lightning. Worn or carried, Hawthorn promotes happiness in the troubled, depressed or sad. It also can be used to promote beauty. At dawn on Beltane a young woman who wants to remain beautiful for the rest of the year, can go bathe in the dew of the Hawthorn tree while chanting this rhyme:
"The fair maid, who on the first of May,Goes to the fields at the break of day,And bathes in the dew from the hawthorn tree,Will ever strong and handsome be".

Hawthorns are a favorite tree of Witches, and we are said to be able to transform ourselves into a Hawthorn tree at will. Hawthorn is also a good wood to make brooms and wands out of because of its strong bond with Witchcraft. Just make sure that if you are going to cut off a limb of a Hawthorn tree for this use, that you do it on Beltane, since to cut it at any other time is unlucky. It is also bad luck to pick Hawthorn flowers before the first week of May", and it also was considered "a sign that death is on its way if brought into the house, except for the first of May". In ancient Britain, destruction of a Hawthorn tree might bring on tragedies such as the death of one's cattle or children and a total loss of well-being.

Cinco De Mayo

To all my friends who celebrate

Cinco de Mayo..

Have a wonderful Day filled with family, friends, and lots of food!!!

Sparkling salt on my Margarita! Bee

Cinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for the Mexican and Chicano communities. It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention. Especially those from imperialist states bent on world conquest.

Cinco de Mayo's history has its roots in the French Occupation of Mexico. The French occupation took shape in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48. With this war, Mexico entered a period of national crisis during the 1850's. Years of not only fighting the Americans but also a Civil War, had left Mexico devastated and bankrupt. On July 17, 1861, President Benito Juarez issued a moratorium in which all foreign debt payments would be suspended for a brief period of two years, with the promise that after this period, payments would resume.

The English, Spanish and French refused to allow president Juarez to do this, and instead decided to invade Mexico and get payments by whatever means necessary. The Spanish and English eventually withdrew, but the French refused to leave. Their intention was to create an Empire in Mexico under Napoleon III. Some have argued that the true French occupation was a response to growing American power and to the Monroe Doctrine (America for the Americans). Napoleon III believed that if the United States was allowed to prosper indiscriminately, it would eventually become a power in and of itself.

In 1862, the French army began its advance. Under General Ignacio Zaragoza, 5,000 ill-equipped Mestizo and Zapotec Indians defeated the French army in what came to be known as the "Batalla de Puebla" on the fifth of May.
In the United States, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to be known as simply "5 de Mayo" and unfortunately, many people wrongly equate it with Mexican Independence which was on September 16, 1810, nearly a fifty year difference. Over, the years Cinco de Mayo has become very commercialized and many people see this holiday as a time for fun and dance.

Oddly enough, Cinco de Mayo has become more of Chicano holiday than a Mexican one. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on a much larger scale here in the United States than it is in Mexico. People of Mexican descent in the United States celebrate this significant day by having parades, mariachi music, folklorico dancing and other types of festive activities.

Life Renewed

Beltane

(May*~* Day )

Hi to all this Lovely much awaited Beltane... Much Merry to all. I will spend my day dry pressing flowers. I have some spied to pick and get them pressed... :-)

Bee

Also known as May Eve, May Day, and Walpurgis Night. It celebrates the height of Spring, and the flowering of life. The Goddess manifests as the May Queen and Flora. The God emerges as the May King and Jack in the Green. The danced Maypole represents Their unity, with the pole itself being the God and the ribbons that encompass it, the Goddess. Colors are the Rainbow spectrum. Beltane is a festival of flowers, fertility, sensuality, and delight.

• Prepare a May basket by filling it with flowers and goodwill and then give it to someone in need of healing and caring, such as a shut-in or elderly friend.



• Form a wreath of freshly picked flowers, wear it in your hair, and feel yourself radiating joy and beauty.



• Dress in bright colors. Dance the Maypole and feel yourself balancing the Divine Female and Male within.



• On May Eve, Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck.



• Welcome in the May at dawn with singing and dancing.
  

This is a poem I wrote last "Beltane" it is slated to be published this year.



Beltane Moon


Under the moon, its pure delight,
As it rises high, so full and shinning bright.
Reflecting a smile to all below,
While wrapping the world in a magical glow,
To wish alls well in the renewed days to come
Filled by Mothers Natures grace, with the rising of the sun.


By Beecharmer
2007 April