Messages In This Digest (25 Messages)
- 1a.
- Protection Spell for Travelers....Please! From: clyons@myactv.net
- 1b.
- Re: Protection Spell for Travelers....Please! From: Cynthia Nicola
- 1c.
- Protection Spell for Travelers....Please! From: clyons@myactv.net
- 1d.
- Re: Protection Spell for Travelers....Please! From: Lady Nightshayde
- 2.
- (no subject) From: Carol Whetzel
- 3a.
- a question From: Angelsvoice Eissey
- 3b.
- Re: a question From: Lady Nightshayde
- 3c.
- Re: a question From: Cynthia Nicola
- 3d.
- Re: a question From: angelsvoice25@hotmail.com
- 4.1.
- Re: Time for Topic Tag From: Cynthia Nicola
- 4.2.
- Re: Time for Topic Tag From: Storm Wynd
- 4.3.
- Re: Time for Topic Tag From: Raven )O(
- 5a.
- Re: About 'The Shining' From: Cynthia Nicola
- 6a.
- Re: Ghostly Antidotes From: Cynthia Nicola
- 7.1.
- Re: Aromatherapy Tip From: Cynthia Nicola
- 8.
- Samhain at FoxHeart Acres From: Fran Wolfe-Johnson
- 9.
- Names for Healing Circle, 10/27/2010, 12:00 am From: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
- 10.1.
- Elder's Meditation of the Day From: Lady Nightshayde
- 11.1.
- Cool Website of the Day From: Lady Nightshayde
- 12a.
- Feng Shui Tip From: Lady Nightshayde
- 13a.
- You Call It May Day, We Call It Beltane From: Lady Nightshayde
- 14a.
- May Pole Candles From: Lady Nightshayde
- 15a.
- Cutting It Away Spell From: Lady Nightshayde
- 16a.
- Standing Stones Beltane Ritual From: Lady Nightshayde
- 17a.
- History and Dances of the Maypole From: Lady Nightshayde
Messages
- 1a.
-
Protection Spell for Travelers....Please!
Posted by: "clyons@myactv.net" clyons@myactv.net redheadmommy102
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:51 am (PDT)
My husband is an "over the road" driver. Once again, he has a close call yesterday. Does anyone have a simple protection spell for travelers? I would appreciate it. Blessed Be!
- 1b.
-
Re: Protection Spell for Travelers....Please!
Posted by: "Cynthia Nicola" cynthialounicola@yahoo.com cynthialounicola
Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:00 pm (PDT)
Bless the rig as you would a house, but do it on the outside: salt, blessed water, annoint with sandalwood oil, or powder, then hang a spring of rosemary from the mirror. (Or a small bad of dried rosemary.)
Cindy
--- On Tue, 10/26/10, clyons@myactv.net <clyons@myactv.net > wrote:
From: clyons@myactv.net <clyons@myactv.net >
Subject: [13Witches] Protection Spell for Travelers....Please!
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 3:51 PM
My husband is an "over the road" driver. Once again, he has a close call yesterday. Does anyone have a simple protection spell for travelers? I would appreciate it. Blessed Be!
- 1c.
-
Protection Spell for Travelers....Please!
Posted by: "clyons@myactv.net" clyons@myactv.net redheadmommy102
Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:04 pm (PDT)
Thank you so much!
- 1d.
-
Re: Protection Spell for Travelers....Please!
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:22 pm (PDT)
My husband is an "over the road" driver. Once again, he has a close call yesterday. Does anyone have a simple protection spell for travelers? I would appreciate it. Blessed Be!
Here are two:
To protect your car and its travelers, visually or physically cast a transparent shield around your car before you set out on any trip. Pro-ject the runic aspects of rad (r) for travel and eolh (z) for divine protection as you cast, saying:
Shield of the Goddess,
surround this car.
Keep us safe in our travels.
Place rue in the front seat of the car to aid in mental alertness, then say:
Herb of the Goddess
keep me physically alert and mentally clear.
Keep us safe always in our travels.
Always bear in mind the basic principle, "As above, so below." That is to say, divine magic needs to be coupled with mundane common sense.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~
The purpose of this charm is to protect you during vacations and travels far from home. Begin with a green or blue flannel bag. Add a "lucky" penny, as copper is a metal associated with today's gods. Add a small symbol of the way you prefer to travel, such as a small toy airplane, a car, ship, and so on. Write these words on parchment:
Fleet-footed Mercury,
Keep my travel swift and steady,
Efficient and without delays.
Bless this charm
With your traveling magic.
Father Woden,
Patron of travelers,
Watch over me.
Keep me safe
When I am far from home,
And bless me to return home again,
Happy and carefree.
Anoint the parchment with geranium or lemon oil and place it in a pouch. Carry this when you travel and reconsecrate the charm each time you take a trip.
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
- 2.
-
(no subject)
Posted by: "Carol Whetzel" redwitchsky@yahoo.com redwitchsky
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:55 am (PDT)
- 3a.
-
a question
Posted by: "Angelsvoice Eissey" angelsvoice25@hotmail.com angelsvoice75
Tue Oct 26, 2010 11:42 am (PDT)
has anyone ever had a premonistion about how they are going to die? I actually believe that I had a one about a year ago. I woke up with in a panic, I dreamt i crashed into the back of a semi just as i slammed into it i woke up but had a feeling like that is how it is going to happen so of course knowing that i cant change it, Im very careful driving around trucks. I was behind a truck and my suv didnt stop fast enough this morning and I almost slammed into it. Thank Goddess I stopped but it reminded me of my dream.
Blessed Be!
Angelsvoice
- 3b.
-
Re: a question
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 2:26 pm (PDT)
has anyone ever had a premonistion about how they are going to die?
I have had dreams of drowning, but I think in my case it was in a previous life. In fact, the details were so real, I woke up gasping for breath. I do believe some dreams can warn of potential death, so you are right to be careful.
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
- 3c.
-
Re: a question
Posted by: "Cynthia Nicola" cynthialounicola@yahoo.com cynthialounicola
Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:00 pm (PDT)
I haven't had any about myself, but I did dream that my childhood friend was killed in a bus accident. The next morning, the accident was in the newspaper. Thank the Goddess, it was only the once.
Cindy
--- On Tue, 10/26/10, Angelsvoice Eissey <angelsvoice25@hotmail.com > wrote:
From: Angelsvoice Eissey <angelsvoice25@hotmail.com >
Subject: [13Witches] a question
To: "13 witches" <13witches@yahoogroups.com >, "which_witch_is_witch@ " <which_witch_yahoogroups. com is_witch@ >yahoogroups. com
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 6:40 PM
has anyone ever had a premonistion about how they are going to die? I actually believe that I had a one about a year ago. I woke up with in a panic, I dreamt i crashed into the back of a semi just as i slammed into it i woke up but had a feeling like that is how it is going to happen so of course knowing that i cant change it, Im very careful driving around trucks. I was behind a truck and my suv didnt stop fast enough this morning and I almost slammed into it. Thank Goddess I stopped but it reminded me of my dream.
Blessed Be!
Angelsvoice
- 3d.
-
Re: a question
Posted by: "angelsvoice25@hotmail.com" angelsvoice25@hotmail.com angelsvoice75
Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:23 pm (PDT)
I always dreamt of family members dying since I was a 5. I used to tell my mom and she would take care of it. Thank goddess I had a mom who knew what I was and who was able to handle it as best she could till I got older. The one that scared me the most was when my niece was 5, I went to visit her and she ran out in the street to see me and got hit by a trolley. I went to tell her mom and she didn't really believe me and I told her to just watch her. As I was leaving upset she didn't listen I went walking cross the street and nini decided she wanted to give me a hug and kiss and all I remember hearing is omg nini and I turned just in time ran scooped her up seconds before she was hit by a trolley. I went over to her mother handed nini to her after kissing and hugging her for 5 mins and said maybe next time u will listen to me.
Sent via DROID on Verizon Wireless
-----Original message-----
From: Cynthia Nicola <cynthialounicola@yahoo.com >
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, Oct 26, 2010 23:52:11 GMT+00:00
Subject: Re: [13Witches] a question
I haven't had any about myself, but I did dream that my childhood friend was killed in a bus accident. The next morning, the accident was in the newspaper. Thank the Goddess, it was only the once.
Cindy
--- On Tue, 10/26/10, Angelsvoice Eissey <angelsvoice25@hotmail.com > wrote:
From: Angelsvoice Eissey <angelsvoice25@hotmail.com >
Subject: [13Witches] a question
To: "13 witches" <13witches@yahoogroups.com >, "which_witch_is_witch@ " <which_witch_yahoogroups. com is_witch@ >yahoogroups. com
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 6:40 PM
has anyone ever had a premonistion about how they are going to die? I actually believe that I had a one about a year ago. I woke up with in a panic, I dreamt i crashed into the back of a semi just as i slammed into it i woke up but had a feeling like that is how it is going to happen so of course knowing that i cant change it, Im very careful driving around trucks. I was behind a truck and my suv didnt stop fast enough this morning and I almost slammed into it. Thank Goddess I stopped but it reminded me of my dream.
Blessed Be!
Angelsvoice
- 4.1.
-
Re: Time for Topic Tag
Posted by: "Cynthia Nicola" cynthialounicola@yahoo.com cynthialounicola
Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:00 pm (PDT)
There are quite a number of Spanish plantations in southern California (we call them pueblos), and most of them are haunted. They are very welcoming to visitors.
Cindy
--- On Tue, 10/26/10, Raven )O( <reenehopkins@yahoo.com > wrote:
From: Raven )O( <reenehopkins@yahoo.com >
Subject: Re: [13Witches] Time for Topic Tag
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 10:27 AM
Plantations would be cool to see! But I live in the great Northwest and we just don't have them here. Our history with hauntings and such have to deal a lot with back in the cowboy days and the railroad. We do have some great old houses here that are claimed to be haunted and an old church where the claim is that an old Irishman died during the building of this church and that he was buried in the walls of the bell tower. Don't know how much truth there is to it!! Stories change as the years go by.
I have been on an investigation at our old cemetery just outside of town, and we did catch activity there. There are graves from the late 1800's through present day.
Blessed Be
Raven
- 4.2.
-
Re: Time for Topic Tag
Posted by: "Storm Wynd" stormwitch01@yahoo.com stormwitch01
Tue Oct 26, 2010 6:17 pm (PDT)
Raven,
In The Great Pacific Northwest we have beautiful Wineries. Chateau Ste. Michele
is an example and Snoqulamie is another. If in Vancouver B.C go the The Fish
House in Stanley Park, as they serve a terrific collection of B.C wines so you
can see which you might want to visit. I'll trade the plantations for all those
beautiful Wineries from B.C to The Napa & Sonoma valleys. If ever in Napa be
sure to visit Beringer, Beaulieu and/or Mumms. One of my favourites in Sonoma is
Ravenwood. Just imagine the vacations.
I have not yet visited them all, but I have visited many many of the wineries in
the Pacific NW and have had my share glorious vacations in the process. I still
dream of sitting on the bank of the Rogue River with a nice glass of Smoking
Loon Pinot in my hand - oh yeah I need another vacation!
Brightest Blessings,
Stormy )O(
Life is a journey,
enjoy the ride ~
just avoid kissing the trail!
_____________________ _________ __
From: Raven )O( <reenehopkins@yahoo.com >
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, October 26, 2010 5:27:55 AM
Subject: Re: [13Witches] Time for Topic Tag
Plantations would be cool to see! But I live in the great Northwest and we just
don't have them here. Our history with hauntings and such have to deal a lot
with back in the cowboy days and the railroad. We do have some great old houses
here that are claimed to be haunted and an old church where the claim is that an
old Irishman died during the building of this church and that he was buried in
the walls of the bell tower. Don't know how much truth there is to it!! Stories
change as the years go by.
I have been on an investigation at our old cemetery just outside of town, and we
did catch activity there. There are graves from the late 1800's through present
day.
Blessed Be
Raven
- 4.3.
-
Re: Time for Topic Tag
Posted by: "Raven )O(" reenehopkins@yahoo.com reenehopkins
Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:51 pm (PDT)
I live in Wyoming on the Wyoming/Colorado border. Colorado is beautiful and
there are parts of Wyoming as well that have breath taking scenery. My husband
took me to a place along the railroad where Butch Cassidy and Sundance robbed a
train. And we have the history of Tom Horn who was hung for cattle
rustling...that sort of history. I have always wanted to tour some of the
wineries in California. I love wine!! I like some of the Ravenwood
wines...thought about using their logo as a tattoo...lol. So it that Smoking
Loon Pinot pretty good? I like a nice Pinot Griegio as long as its not too
bitter!! Sounds wonderful...I think tomorrow I may have to go splurge on a
bottle of wine.!!
Blessed Be
Raven
- 5a.
-
Re: About 'The Shining'
Posted by: "Cynthia Nicola" cynthialounicola@yahoo.com cynthialounicola
Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:01 pm (PDT)
I swear, that as soon as I can beg, borrow, or steal a car, I am going to visit all of these fascinating places.
Cindy
--- On Tue, 10/26/10, Raven )O( <reenehopkins@yahoo.com > wrote:
From: Raven )O( <reenehopkins@yahoo.com >
Subject: Re: [13Witches] About 'The Shining'
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 10:22 AM
Thanks for posting the info! There sure are a lot of different stories about the movie and who gets credit for what!!!
When you walk into the Stanley Hotel and turn to the left, there is a set of double door that leads into what is used for different functions...it looks identical to the room where the main character of the movie sat when he was at his typewriter. I am sure there is a possibility that the town of Estes could have taken a little more credit than it deserves. lol. The owner of the Stanley Hotel swears to this day that Stephen King still comes and stays at his hotel...who knows!! I was aware that parts of it were filmed in England though!
I could tell you a story about the first time I ever went to that hotel to check it out, but I was very young and with someone who liked to pull my leg, so I think I will keep it to myself. LOL
Blessed Be
Raven
- 6a.
-
Re: Ghostly Antidotes
Posted by: "Cynthia Nicola" cynthialounicola@yahoo.com cynthialounicola
Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:01 pm (PDT)
I've always had a problems with recently passed spirits, trying to get messages somewhere before they move on. When I was little I told Mom that the "dead people" kept trying to talk to me, when I knew they had somewhere more important to be. Mom told me to just tell them to go away because I was going to ignore them, and they would be welcome to visit when I invite them. It works very well.
Mom was so very cool. Wheather she believed me or not, she answered me seriously about the more unusual situations that popped up.
Cindy
--- On Tue, 10/26/10, Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com > wrote:
From: Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com >
Subject: [13Witches] Ghostly Antidotes
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com , whisperingwitches@yahoogroups. com
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 3:19 AM
Ghostly Antidotes
*As you are getting ready for bed, place aone shoe with the toe pointing under the bed. Place the other shoe pointing in the opposite direction. Now you will be safe from ghosts and goblins throughout the night.
*Keep ghosts away by turning your pockets inside out.
*Carry a piece of bread crust in your pocket. It will protect you from creatures that roam in the night.
*You can get rid of a ghost by throwing a key at it.
*Hang a mirror on the front porch. It will keep ghosts from coming into your house.
*At the first light of day ghosts, goblins and zombies disappear.
by Mary Ann Stavros-Lanning
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
- 7.1.
-
Re: Aromatherapy Tip
Posted by: "Cynthia Nicola" cynthialounicola@yahoo.com cynthialounicola
Tue Oct 26, 2010 5:01 pm (PDT)
Thank you! I'm starting back to college after 30 years, and I find learning much harder than when I was young and immortal and a genius. Now I'm a tired old broad who needs something to keep me busy-lol.
Cindy
--- On Tue, 10/26/10, Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com > wrote:
From: Lady Nightshayde <LadyNightshayde9@aol.com >
Subject: [13Witches] Aromatherapy Tip
To: 13Witches@yahoogroups.com , whisperingwitches@yahoogroups. com
Date: Tuesday, October 26, 2010, 3:17 AM
Recent clinical experience shows that Basil increases blood flow to the
brain, relieving mental fatigue, enhancing clear thinking and improving
memory. Basil also connects the thought process with speech, enhancing
self-expression.
How to use it: Apply a few drops to a tissue and inhale or add to a
diffuser. This is great to wake up and get your brain cells going.
www.aromathyme.com
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
http://health. groups.yahoo. com/group/ BlackHatsAndBroo msticks/
We are a support group for Women Only.
- 8.
-
Samhain at FoxHeart Acres
Posted by: "Fran Wolfe-Johnson" tygermoonfoxx@gmail.com tygermoonfoxx
Tue Oct 26, 2010 7:20 pm (PDT)
Well, this will be the first time in quite a while that I've actually
had the health an energy to do any sort of rite. It's also the first
time that I've gotten my act together enough to make the preparations
and get them done on time.
I've not had a new robe since I was with my ex-husband and his coven.
The old one, a shade of sky blue and darker blue with some sort of
runes stitched in red, just didn't feel right. I've wanted to be rid
of it for some time. Today we bought material for a new robe, a
simple tabbard style which will slip over my head and be hemmed with
bias tape of the same color. It's gorgeous --- a purple with just a
bit of maroon in the tint covered in tiny stars and other colored
points of reflective light. We also bought the edging for my
husband's tunics (a simple black with a gold embroidery on sleeves and
hem for starting the rite and a white one with the same embroidery to
put upon him when we raise him up again). Dee will wear black --- the
stuff he wears when he's given a field assignment, though I'll have to
alter it to suit his reduced weight and fragile frame --- with the
velvet cloak he favors. Dorie wears a matching purple, simple cut
like a Ren faire gown (in fact, that's what I think it used to be).
We will later build the altar ourselves but meanwhile a small table we
found at a craft store will suffice and we're staining it a natural
color to keep the grain of the wood form which it was made.
I'm making all of our jewelry. Mine is a copper crescent with a
bronze heart shaped locket on the tip. It opens out to show us girls
on one side and two boys on the other. It's being strung on butter
colored freshwater pearls, black jasper, and bronze shell. Dee's
pieces were already made, as protective amulets for his work (some
good that did, but I guess it's not my fault and I might as well hope
at least that they've helped keep him here with us this long). He's
got a natural quartz ball linked by onyx and carnelian nuggets, then
by onyx, green aventurine, and fire agate beads with a copper clasp.
The matching bracelet has three charms on it: the owl, a 'poison' box
with a lock of my hair scented with my favorite perfume in it, and a
dagger. Dorie's is a sterling silver raven pentacle strung on black,
gold, and purple beads with a hook clasp. Mr. Shapeshifter's will be
his fox amulet on a plain black cord, as always.
The arrangement I'm most proud of, however, is the mask. It's made of
peacock and pheasant feathers with silk autumn leaves. The headdress
for it is the top part of a three point buck skull which I salvaged
from the forest and a long piece of fox fur running down the back.
So much at stake here, but I think I've got everything as it should
be. I even wrote the rite myself, from scratch, according to the
guidelines I was taught.
--
"Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and
numbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote
wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy."
-- Hamlin Garland
Fran Wolfe-Johnson (WalkerTXKitty)
FoxHeart Acres, FL
http://www.myhappytrails.net
- 9.
-
Names for Healing Circle, 10/27/2010, 12:00 am
Posted by: "13Witches@yahoogroups.com" 13Witches@yahoogroups.com
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:44 pm (PDT)
Reminder from: 13Witches Yahoo! Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/ cal
Names for Healing Circle
Wednesday October 27, 2010
All Day
(This event repeats every week.)
Notes:
If you have any requests for healing energies or candle-lighting please send them in for the Healing Circle, which is done every Wednesday Night.
All Rights Reserved
Copyright � 2010
Yahoo! Inc.
http://www.yahoo.com
Privacy Policy:
http://privacy.yahoo.com/ privacy/us
Terms of Service:
http://docs.yahoo.com/ info/terms/
- 10.1.
-
Elder's Meditation of the Day
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:45 pm (PDT)
Elder's Meditation of the Day
"It seems that if Elders can feel that you are open to learning, they are more than generous with their teaching."
-- Chief Councilor, Lenard George
There is a saying, when the student is ready the teacher appears. If the Elders sense that you are ready, they will help you see and learn new things. Most human beings love to share what they know with people who are excited to listen. If you are talking to someone and you feel they really aren't listening, you won't want to tell them much. Before you go talk to the Elders, examine your motives - are you really excited about listening to them?
My Creator, give me an open mind.
from www.whitebison.org
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
http://health.groups.yahoo. com/group/ BlackHatsAndBroo msticks/
We are a support group for Women Only.
- 11.1.
-
Cool Website of the Day
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:49 pm (PDT)
The Spider Myth Site
The spider, a much-maligned creature especially around this Halloween season, is the topic of the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture site. The curator, Rod Crawford, seeks to dispel the myths, misconceptions, and superstitions about spiders. Mr. Crawford naturally gets many questions and comments about his work when individuals learn of his passion for arachnids. He states, "The concerns voiced by these people originate from a widespread and surprisingly uniform set of assumptions and 'general knowledge' about spiders. And with very few exceptions, all of this widespread information about spiders is false!" Spend a few minutes, preferable longer, learning the true facts about spiders and take Mr. Crawford's challenge to ask him 'some new questions instead of the same old ones!'
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
http://health.groups.yahoo. com/group/ BlackHatsAndBroo msticks/
We are a support group for Women Only.
- 12a.
-
Feng Shui Tip
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:49 pm (PDT)
Daily Feng Shui Tip by Ellen Whitehurst for Tuesday, October 26
In this age of all things vampire I thought it might be a hoot to take a deeper look at 'Worldwide Howl at the Moon Night,' a biting energy that penetrates the neck of this day. Actually, vampires be damned today, as we take a closer look at the metaphysics involved with the lone wolf. In fact, many in the animal community think that wolves get a bad rap because, even though many tales tell otherwise, there has actually never been a confirmed death of a human being by a healthy wolf. Wolves are in fact social, friendly and highly intelligent. This animal also has a quick capacity towards making strong emotional bonds, so learning to trust your own instincts and intuitions while also securing strong relationship attachments is the medicine the wolf brings. Wolf medicine is also believed to be able to guide you to take appropriate actions and situations that will keep you safe from harm. When the wolf shows up in your life, it's time to pay attention to your emotional attachments and deem whether they are keeping you happy, healthy and in a state of constant balance.
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/13Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/Whispering Witches/
http://groups.yahoo.com/ group/MagickalMe als/
http://groups.yahoo/group/ NightshaydesNews
http://health.groups.yahoo. com/group/ BlackHatsAndBroo msticks/
We are a support group for Women Only.
- 13a.
-
You Call It May Day, We Call It Beltane
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:50 pm (PDT)
You Call It May Day, We Call It Beltane
The season of spring has arrived! The rites of fertility have begun! This is
a holiday with a colorful past, and strangely enough, one of the only major
festivals on the pagan calendar which has never been Christianized. But as we
shall see, it is a holiday with two distinct flavors of celebration throughout
history...
But first, some nostalgic wanderings...
April 30th, 1972.
Somewhere, I must have learned about May Baskets. I think my favorite third grade teacher mentioned them briefly in Social Studies class (she often talked
about holidays and their origins), and then I wanted to find out more about
this wacky custom. I was a precocious reader as a kid so it may have been almost anywhere: the Encyclopedia Britannica, Woman's Day magazine, maybe even Playboy. I don't recall where, but I know once I learned about the custom of giving them to some one special, I was determined to make one and leave it in secret for my favorite third-grade teacher, Miss V.
I took a small box (about half the size of a shoebox) and glued lavender
construction paper to it. I also fashioned a handle out of the same paper,
gluing it to both sides. I cut out flower petals shapes in different colors and glued those on, too. Very tasteful, I thought. I cut some daffodils and lilacs from the yard, and put them inside. I had already asked my aunt if she could drive me over to her house, having cleverly looked up her address in the phone book earlier. (Now, these days we would call such behavior something less innocent than childlike admiration; we might call it, oh, stalking). As we drove up with the basket to my teacher's house, at around 6 pm, I found myself thinking, gee, what if she sees me? I got out of the car, ran on tiptoe (as if that would make me less visible) and put it on her porch. As I turned, the front door opened.
As luck would have it, I was busted: by Miss V. herself! She saw me, then the basket, and figured it out. She smiled and thanked me and said it was very
sweet of me. I was mortified that she found me out. But then the next day in
school, she made me a card with flowers on it. The front said "Thank you" and
the inside said "for delighting my day with a May Basket." So I got to put that card on my desk like a little teacher's pet. Of course, I did not think that at the time; at the time I was simply very proud. And realized if I had not gotten "busted" she might never know who brought the May Basket, and I'd have my secret, but only that. This way, maybe the other kids would think of making May Baskets for someone: a teacher, a parent or grandparent. Of course, all I knew was I made something cool and gave it to someone special.
May 1st, 1988
I'm in graduate school. Living in a cool two-bedroom apartment above a
funeral home. I have just started really getting into the whole paganism thing. Not in a coven yet, but doing the beginner stuff: practicing a bit of spellcraft, making little altars in my room, going to meetings of the Pagan Students' Organization, buying books by Margot and Starhawk and Janet and Stewart... So I know it's Beltane. But not to the extent that I know how to really celebrate it as a true pagan. (Not to worry, within a year or two I would be dancing 'round maypoles, washing my face in the dew and "going a Maying" like a veteran!)
So I get up in the morning and dress in something kinda frilly and festive,
not all that atypical for me but I wanted to feel like I was observing the
season today. I leave my apartment to go to class, and what do I find on my
doorknob but a garland of flowers! Shaped like a crown to be worn. Wow. I don't even have a clue who it might be from (but I have my suspicions). I take it with me and carry it around to classes that day. I finally run into a male friend of mine who knows I ma into this pagan stuff. He apparently knows a thing or two about May Day folklore, and I eventually find out he left it as a sign he was interested in dating me. Which was rather sweet. This was a very shy young man who I cannot imagine actually asking me out on a date. But his leaving a relic of ancient paganism on my door, well, that was impressive. We did date for a while. He was a nice guy and very smart. At the time all I knew was, he made something cool and gave it to me, so he must have thought I was special.
Beltane: a Pre-Christian Fire Festival
"But they are... naked!"
"Well, naturally, it's far too dangerous to jumo through the fire with your
clothes on!"
--Lord Summerisle explaining Beltane to Sergeant Howie in the 1973 film "The
Wicker Man"
According to an article entitled "The Merry Month of May" on about.com (link)
"The first day of May is still celebrated as a pre-Christian magical rite in
some parts of England. Local people dance around a maypole (an ancient
fertility symbol), in what was once one of England's most important festivals of the year." May Day and Beltane obviously have much in common, as both celebrate new growth and fertility. Even when May Day celebrations were banned in the late 16th century for being immoral, the customs died hard and it wasn't long before the festivities were once again widespread. But long before the May Day celebrations, with their maypole dancing, garlands and dances became popular, the ancient fire festival of Beltane took place for centuries.
It is not clear where or how the festival of Beltane first came about; Ronald
Hutton in The Stations of the Sun mentions the first recorded instance of a
bishop in Lincolnshire complaining about local priests who "demeaned themselves
by joining games which they call the bringing-in of May" in 1240. May Games
were recorded in Scotland in 1432. There is some speculation that Beltane and
May Day is related to the ancient Roman festival of Floralia. According to the
about.com article, this was "a six-day party in honor of Flora, the goddess of
Spring and Flowers, the Floralia was a time of singing, dancing and feasting
in the ancient capital." Dressed in bright colors in imitation of spring
flowers, citizens would decorate the entire city with fresh blooms. "Hares and
goats, symbols of fertility, would be let loose in gardens as protectors of
Flora, and great singing and stomping would be heard in order to wake up Spring." Of course, dancing is a large part of May Day celebrations as well. Apparently, Flora was also the patron of prostitutes, and during this festival the Roman "working girls" participated enthusiastically, performing naked in theatres and taking part in gladiatorial events. The themes of fertility and sexuality are obviously still very much associated with Beltane and May Day amongst modern pagans... but let's look more closely at the ancient history of Beltane in the British Isles.
First of all, the origin of the name "Beltane" is disputed. The holiday was
also known as "Roodmass" in England and "Walpurgisnacht" in Germany.
Alternately spelled Bealtaine, Beltaine, and any number of Gaelic
derived-spellings, it is also the Irish word for the month of May, and is said to mean anything from "Bel-fire" Feast of the god Bel" to "bright fire." Janet and Stewart Farrar, in Eight Sabbats for Witches offer an excellent tracing of the holiday's Irish
roots, and particularly the European fire-god Belenus whom they believe this
festival is named for (a name possible traced back to Baal, the bible's only
pagan god, whose name simply means "Lord"). Ronald Hutton states that since the Celtic word "bel" means bright or fortunate, this is adequate to explain the translation as being "lucky fire" or "bright fire."
For FIRE is what this festival is all about. It is one of the two great fire
festivals of the wheel of the year (the other is Samhain). It also falls upon
the cross-quarter days, which mark the astrological movement of the sun. In
ancient times, the calendar days for these holidays would have been roughly
seven to eleven days AFTER we now celebrate them (usually on the first of the month). The way to know for sure is to observe when the sun reaches 15 degrees of the zodiac sign. For Beltane, this is Taurus, the Bull; at Lammas, Leo; at Samhain, Scorpio, and at Imbolc, Aquarius.
Samhain and Beltane divide the year into two distinct halves of great
importance to agrarian-based societies (as in western Europe, where our Celtic calendar of eight major seasonal festivals originates). In F. Marian McNeill's
book The Silver Bough, she states: "At Beltane, flocks and herds went to their summer pastures; as Hallowmass (Samhain) they returned to their winter quarters.
Beltane may be regarded as a day of Supplication, when a blessing was invoked on hunter and herdsman, on cattle and crops." Whereas Samhain was a "Day of Thanksgiving, for the safe return of the wanderers and the renewal of the food supply."
Fire festivals in ancient times were seen as times of propitiation and
purification. Propitiation, says McNeill, "means sacrifice; to propitiate the
mysterious forces of nature and ensure fertility in field and fold and on the
hearth."
"You'll simply never understand the true nature of sacrifice."
--May Morrison to Sergeant Howie, "The Wicker Man"
Human sacrifice was still practiced in Gaul as late as the 1st century BC,
and was later replaced by sacrifice of animals (most notably the Bull - another Taurus connection?), and later an offering of specially consecrated cakes or
loaves, as in the sun-shaped loaf in "The Wicker Man." "The life of the fields: John Barleycorn." But of course, by the film's end, more than bread was
consumed by the flames.
(Never seen The Wicker Man? It's a cult classic well-loved by pagans for its
deliciously politically-incorrect sacrifice of a morally-uptight police
sergeant when he visits and island renowned for keeping the "old ways." The
film's events take place on the days leading up to Beltane.)
As for purification, fire has always been seen as its chief agent.
Traditionally, all domestic fires in Irish, English and Scottish households were
extinguished on Beltane Eve, after having been kept lit continuously all year.
Just before dawn, villagers would process with their animals up the hillsides to the highest point where fires would be kindled and relit for people to see for
miles around. It was also traditional to build these fires out of nine of the
sacred woods from Druidic folklore, including oak, ash, thorn, rowan, apple,
birch, alder, maple, elm, gorse, holly, hawthorn, and others.
The bonfires were lit so that a narrow passage existed between two fire, so
that cattle and other livestock could be led between the fires, to purify them
from disease or sterility for the coming year. Torches of dried sedge, gorse
or heather were also lit and carried around remaining flocks or stables, to
further purify the air.
Fire, Water...
Water, the other element of purification, also plays a strong role in Beltane
custom. Spring was the traditional season of "well dressing" particularly in
Ireland where wells were seen as holy places (even with the advent of
Christianity, when many wells dedicated to pagan goddesses were re-dedicated to the Virgin Mary). But even more specific to Beltane, morning dew was seen as sacred and magical. To this day, young women all over the British Isles rise at dawn to wash their faces in dew (dew from oak and rowan trees is said to be particularly well-suited). It was and is believed doing so would enhance a
woman's beauty and health in the coming year, and if she uttered an appropriate charm while doing it, she might also meet her future husband in the coming year.
This poem was written by someone who observed young women engaging in this
practice in King's Park in Edinburgh:
"On May Day in a fairy ring,
We've seen them round St. Anton's spring,
Frae (from) grass the caller dew-drops wring,
To weet their een (to wet their eyes)
And water clean as crystal spring
To synd them clean."
Village elders also left libations and offerings of food to guard their
flocks against any evil from the fairy folk, or from the ravages of storms,
floods, or disease. Butter, eggs, milk and cheese were left in hollow stones, or poured into the ground. Alternately, ale or fresh-baked bread was offered, with the idea that a gift of the finest the household could provide was the most suitable offering.
In Aberdeenshire, McNeill tells of a custom of kindling fires on May 2nd, as
it was believed "witches were abroad then." Beltane, like Samhain, was the
time when the veils between the worlds were thinnest, and like fairy folk,
"witches" were thought to be fond of this time and to use it for magical rites.
Keep in mind, in those days, the "witches" were the ones that country folk worked
magic against, and those of us today who call ourselves "witches" are actually
closer in spirit to those village wise women and cunningmen, who used folk
magic and spells to protect their homes and families and flocks. The
Aberdeenshire citizens believed witches would steal milk from cows, and ride
stolen horses to their meetings. Fires were lit and villagers would hold hands and dance around them three times deosil (sunwise) - does this sound familiar? Except they would then yell out "Fire! Blaze and Burn the witches! Fire, Fire! Burn the witches!" Thanks goodness we have moved far beyond these, ahem, heathen customs!
Earth and Air...
Dancing was a common way to celebrate the season. The Maypole rites being an obvious example, but before this practice became widespread, dancing without benefit of a giant pole was also common. Dancing round the bonfires was seen as a way to partake of the purification of its flames. Women wanting to get pregnant would perform fertility dances at the fireside. Once the Beltane fires were relit on the hillsides, villagers would carry a flaming torch, the "need-fire, " back to their homes and relight their hearthfires with it. On the way, it was customary to dance and sing the season in. Records of may dances and songs go back to well before the 16th century. The songs affirmed the purpose of the fire ceremonies: protection and purification. The protective power of the magical woods was thought to affect any who lit their households with their flames. The sight of the bright flames on the hills, and the line of people processing with torches in the dark, must have been an awesome sight to behold.
(This year in Ireland, a huge ritual will be held to re-kindle the ancient
fires of Beltane. It was nearly cancelled due to foot and mouth disease, but now it looks like this ancient ritual of healing the land and its creatures will
take place after all, and not a moment too soon.)
The most protective wood of all was rowan, and prior to the Beltane Eve
bonfire lighting, branches of rowan were cut in huge amounts and used to
decorate the homes of all. Branches tied with red thread (signifying the rowan berries, and a favorite color of fairies) were hung in doorways of homes, stables, barns and sheepfolds, and, as McNeill states, particularly "in the midden, which was a favourite of the black sisterhood." (I think she meant witches.) In the Highlands of Scotland, girls tied sprigs of rowan in their hair or on their clothing just after washing in may dew. (Incidentally, in "The Wicker Man" the hapless Sergeant Howie is first sent for to investigate a missing girl, whom he believes intended for human sacrifice: her name is Rowan.)
Just as rowan branches were seen as protective, people also gathered armsful
of tree branches in blossom to decorate their homes in honor of the arrival of
spring. This custom was usually fulfilled the following day, on Beltane
proper, after the midday sun brought the blossoms to the fullest size and
fragrance. In later years, when May festivities spread to England, these
branches were carried from door to door, offered with songs, in the expectation that gifts of sweets, money or food and drink would be offered. This in turn led to the "garlanding" customs popular in southern England, once the province of women but later an activity popular for young girls and sanctioned by local schools and parishes. No matter what the blossom, it was known as "gathering the May." Hawthorn was most common, and so one of its folk names is "May." (Rowan Morrison's mother's name is May, as well). "Going a Maying" innocently refers to the custom of young people gathering blossoming tree branches; but later became a common euphemism for what happened after the branches were gathered in the woods, and before they were brought home.
Once the fires were relit on Beltane Eve, and children put to bed, and the
wee hours of Beltane morning arrived, the more adult festivities began. And that includes the traditional activities associated with fertility (remember Flora and her fondness for prostitutes? Kinda along those lines). Newly wed couples
and new brides were expected to perform fertility rites around the bonfires,
to take advantage of their potency and purification. Humans were much more
closely connected with the rhythms of the earth in those days, to put it mildly, and no doubt the running of sap in trees, the blossoms and buds bursting
forth, the scents of flowers and new growth and damp soil and rain, all stirred the senses and reawakened the body---these days we call it "spring fever, " but in antiquity, indulging such urges was completely normal and expected.
Or, in the words of Lerner and Lowe, from the musical "Camelot":
"It's May! It's May!
The lusty month of May!...
Those dreary vows that ev'ryone takes,
Ev'ryone breaks.
Ev'ryone makes divine mistakes!
The lusty month of May! "
Naturally enough, unwed men and women would also partake of the spirit of
these rites, and find themselves venturing off into the nearby fields or forest
to perform their own fertility rites. Blessed by the gods on this sacred night,
such unions were seen as wholly proper, even when not blessed by marriage;
they were referred to as "greenwood marriages." It is also true that betrothed couples would make love at Beltane, and if the union did not prove fruitful, i.e. no pregnancy resulted, they might dissolve the partnership before marriage without repercussion. In fact, the origin of the "year and a day" handfasting custom observed by modern pagans, in which they renew their vows after one year, dates back to this. If new marriages did not produce children within one year, couple often split and married others, with no penalty.
But why sex? If the point of these festivals was to preserve the land and the
flocks, why not simply observe fertility in the birth of lambs, the growth of
plants? Ah, but ancient peoples believed in sympathetic magic: that practice
of a small, symbolic action representing a larger one. By making love in the
fields, human beings believed they were helping make the earth more fertile,
blessing it with their own activity of producing new life and abundance. And
even if the ultimate goal of such unions was not pregnancy, it couldn't hurt to
help the magic along!
Which brings me to what is often considered a wholly sexual symbol, and main
feature of ancient May Day and modern Beltane celebrations: the maypole.
Phallic Symbol? Or Tree Worship?
Beltane celebrations in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man and parts
of Britain later became intertwined with May Day rites derived from the
Floralia (due to the Roman invasion of Britain, mostly). But more importantly,
the different customs associated with May 1st became very diverse and widespread to such an extent that these practices were banned on a wide scale. Though complaints about "immoral" practices started early on (as in the 1240 reference from Hutton), the Protestant, well, protest against May rites came to a head in 1555, when May Day observances were banished by Parliament. This mainly had to do with the "Maying" rites, which uptight clergy believed were merely opportunities for fornication in the fields and defiling of young women (mistakenly believed to come away pregnant more often than not. Hutton notes that later demographic research showed no concomitant rise in pregnancy rates at this time of year; in fact, late summer was a much more common time for conception).
By 1565, the common practice of electing "an Abbott of Misrule" and other
ritual roles, like Robin Hood, Maid Marian and others, was also banned by law.
Such plays had become commonplace, as had Morris dancing, sword dances and other celebratory ways of "dancing in" spring. Margaret Murray, in "The God of the Witches" noted the similarity between Robin and his typical band of 12 men being modeled on a "Grandmaster and his coven." Although it is just as clearly related to Jesus and his disciples. In any case, the traditional green costumes and elaborate dances, as well as Robin Hood's association with Robin
Goodfellow, or Puck, were also connected to fairy tradition and so seen as
"heathen" by the clergy. Some have speculated that this tradition of using Robin and Marian as May Day "deities" actually has its origin in Diana and Herne: goddess of the hunt and forest creatures, and god of the wild hunt. Indeed, Herne is seen as one aspect of the Green man, and many May Day rites also featured The Green Man. Diana is also a predecessor of the Queen of the May, a role later usurped by Marian... but Diana's virgin aspect makes her a likely model for such a role.
The maypole itself was banned in 1644. By 1660, when it became clear the
monarchy would be restored, May Day rites were once again permitted and in fact spontaneously reappeared across the country. But by then the holiday had lost much of its earlier sexual significance; May Day had replaced Beltane, if you will. But it is also true that by this time, the dancing of the Maypole had
become the central "ritual" of this holiday, not the bonfires. Only in remote
parts of Ireland and Scotland did the fires apparently continue as the dominant feature.
It is not clear when the maypole first became part of the May festivities, or
what its exact origin is. Our post-Freudian society naturally wishes to call
it a "phallic symbol" and have done with it, and indeed this seems fitting. A
wonderful scene in the oft-mentioned "The Wicker Man" finds the young male
students dancing round the maypole, while the female students watch them from
their classroom, in which they listen to a lecture about the rites and rituals
of May Day (even their textbooks have a chapter on it!), and all the girls in
unison know the answer to what the maypole represents: "phallic symbol." The
teacher, Miss Rose, says it is the penis, "revered in religions, such as ours,
as the generative force in nature."
But according to Ron Hutton, other explanations present themselves. Some
authors, including Sir J.G. Frazer in The Golden Bough, refer to it as "the
repository of a fertility-giving tree spirit." Many years earlier, Thomas Hobbes suggested the maypole was meant to honor the Roman god of male potency, Priapus.
Hutton himself suggests they are just as likely symbols of tree worship
(particularly since the earliest maypoles were living trees, stripped of all
leaves but for a tuft of greenery at the top). He also mentions the Northern European concept of the divine tree which connects the earth tot he world of the divine, and the maypole as a connection between them. Finally, he credits Mircea Eliade for his theory that it is "merely a way of rejoicing at the returning strength of vegetation."
Modern Traditions
"For the May Day is the great day,
Sung along the old straight track.
And those who ancient lines did ley
Will heed this song that calls them back...
Pass the cup, and pass the Lady,
And pass the plate to all who hunger,
Pass the wit of ancient wisdom,
Pass the cup of crimson wonder."
Jethro Tull, "Cup of Wonder, " from the 1977 album Songs From the Wood
Modern pagans celebrate Beltane as a festival of reawakening spring, of
fertility, of the renewal of the lifeforce, of creativity, or rebirth, of love
and sexuality, or birth and regeneration. Janet and Stewart Farrar, whose work forms the basis for many Wiccan groups, offer a ritual for Beltane in their Eight Sabbats for Witches in which they feature the Oak King as a symbol of the death of the old season, and a "bel-fire" is rekindled to usher in the new season, along with lyrics from Rudyard Kipling's famous song of tree worship in England, "Oak and Ash and Thorn."
"Oh do not tell the priest our plight, for he would call it a sin,
But we've been out in the woods all night a-conjuring summer in;
And we bring good news by word of mouth, for women and cattle and corn,
For now is the sun come up from the South by Oak and Ash and Thorn."
Some covens kindle their own bonfire, using nine of the sacred woods. Others
celebrate the Great Rite, the sacred marriage of the god and goddess, in
symbolic or actual fashion according to their tradition. Solitary practitioners
often choose Beltane as a time to reaffirm their dedication to the path; and
couples in a magical partnership might choose this auspicious time to work sex
magick, to achieve a chosen goal.
Larger pagan gatherings feature maypole dancing; I have attended a number of these over the years and there really is nothing like a fifty-foot tall
maypole with a hundred people dancing around it with ribbons!
May wine is a traditional drink of the season: to make your own, simply add
dried or fresh meadowsweet to white wine. Let it steep for at least 24 hours. You can either leave the herb in the wine or strain it out. The herby,
vanilla-like fragrance and taste are indescribable, and really say "Beltane!" I
have also seen recipes for "May Cup" on the net. And this is a fine time to
experiment with aphrodisiac brews, for example adding damiana to some white
zinfandel.
Perhaps it is best to remember this as the time when Aphrodite, who rules the sign of Taurus, is coming into her own. She presides over the realms of love
and sex and beauty, but also over the flowers and fruits which brig us such
pleasure: delighting our senses with their colors and scents and tastes and
juices. She fills blossoms with nectar, and her body is beneath us as we walk
and dance upon the newly-yielding, softened earth, alive again after the dormancy of winter, full of new life. She is in the animals, the lambs born at Imbolc who frolic among spring meadow flowers, the other creatures who come into their mating seasons at this time. And she is in us, offering her discernment of beauty, blessing our eyes with new awareness of color and texture in nature. In our hearts which beat quicker with the warmth of the sun and the fires rekindled within us. In our minds, alive to possibility and creativity, awakened and reborn with new energy. And in our bodies, walking on hills and in meadows and forests, dancing around our own fires and in circles with like-minded loved ones, sharing laughter and song and love, enjoying and creating the feast, the celebration, the magical birthright that is life on Earth.
May your fires burn bright!
by Peg Aloi
Blessed Be,
Lady Nightshayde
- 14a.
-
May Pole Candles
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:51 pm (PDT)
May Pole Candles
You will need:
Lots of pretty ribbons
Tall white or green pillar candle
Gold or brass "Craft Bells"
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 onBeltane morn. Light candle and cheer the Spring time blessings to come. Keep a safe eye on
candle & ribbons.
By Barbara Morris
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
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- 15a.
-
Cutting It Away Spell
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:54 pm (PDT)
Cutting It Away Spell
To clear away those things you'd rather not have to deal with now, take a
sharp knife, preferably either your athame or a knife that is used only for
ritual purposes. Bless it with salt and water, then with fire and air (a candle
flame and its smoke usually works well for this). Next, stand facing east, and
either use the knife to draw a circle around you three times, or have another
person make these gestures in the air (taking care with the sharp knife, of
course). Now pause for a moment to visualize all the negative influences in your
life, all the unwanted influences and any people in your life who are less than
positive, being cut away from you. When the last circuit is finished, touch
the point of the knife to the ground or floor, and visualize all the energies
being grounded into the earth. Stand here for a brief moment, take a deep
breath as you stand, and bless the knife again before you put it away.
by Magenta Griffith
Love Each Day,
Lady Nightshayde
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- 16a.
-
Standing Stones Beltane Ritual
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:54 pm (PDT)
Standing Stones Beltane Ritual
If possible, celebrate Beltane in a forest or near a living tree. If
this is impossible, bring a small tree within the circle, preferably
potted; it can be of any type.
Create a small token or charm in honor of the wedding of the Goddess
and God to hang upon the tree. You can make several if you desire.
These tokens can be bags filled with fragrant flowers, strings of
beads, carvings, flower garlands; or whatever your talents and
imagination can conjure.
Arrange the altar, light the candles and censer, and cast the Circle
of Stones.
Recite the Blessing Chant.
Invoke the Goddess and God.
Stand before the altar and say, with wand upraised:
O Mother Goddess, Queen of the night and of the Earth;
O Father God, King of the day and of the forests,
I celebrate Your union as nature rejoices in a riotous blaze of
color and life.
Accept my gift, Mother Goddess and Father God, in honor of Your
union.
Place the token(s) on the tree.
From Your mating shall spring forth life anew;
a profusion of living creatures shall cover the lands,
and the winds will blow pure and sweet.
O Ancient Ones, I celebrate with You!
Works of magick, if necessary, may follow.
Celebrate the Simple Feast.
The Circle is released.
Beltane Lore:
Weaving and plaiting are traditional arts at this time of year, for
the joining together of two substances to form a third is in spirit
of Beltane.
Foods traditionally come from the dairy, and dished such as marigold
custard and vanilla ice cream are fine. Oatmeal cakes are also
appropriate.
1990 by Scott Cunningham
Blessed Be,
Lady Nightshayde
You never know how much you know until you know how much you'll never know.
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- 17a.
-
History and Dances of the Maypole
Posted by: "Lady Nightshayde" LadyNightshayde9@aol.com nightshayde99
Tue Oct 26, 2010 8:54 pm (PDT)
History and Dances of the Maypole
Some of the most popular activities of Beltane were centered around
the maypole. The symbolic phallus (some were more graphic than others) was planted in the earth to fertilize her.
Historically, maypoles vary in height. These poles were placed
permanently in the town square and were often left up for ten to fifteen years. Villages would vie with each other to see who could find and erect the tallest maypole. Obviously, a pole of this height was not plaited with ribbons, although it was the center of a variety of ring dances. Generally it was brightly painted and decorated with wreaths, garlands, and fresh flowers each year.
In 1644, the English Puritan Long Parliament banned these "devilish
instruments," and ordered all existing maypoles to be taken down and burned. Despite the reintroduction of the maypole, the Puritan Reformation had its effect on Beltane festivities, and many of the Pagan elements were lost. Those of us who want to make our own maypoles are happily unencumbered by the weight of tradition and can change the design and the meanings to suit our modern purposes.
When choosing a maypole, take into consideration what you will do
with it after the ceremony. Will it end up in your garage, or remain in the circle area for the rest of the summer? Will you have to transport it to your ritual site and home again?
For the purposes of this article, let us assume that you are not
able to plant a twenty-foot pole and leave it. Let us also assume that you have fairly limited resources, both financial and otherwise. You can certainly elaborate on the basic pole.
Making a Maypole
The easiest way to make a maypole is to purchase it. Check out any
lumber yards (or "seconds" lumberyard if you have them in your area) for dowels or banister rails. For making an eight to nine foot maypole, a one-inch dowel is perfectly adequate. You will probably not find dowels longer than twelve feet, but an eight or nine foot maypole should be big enough for any group of less than twenty.
If you are going to go over twelve feet, you will have to go to a
much thicker pole. At that point, start looking for old telephone poles.
A more techno-Pagan approach is to use PVC pipe. You will have to start with two-inch pipe due to the higher flexibility, but it will last forever and is easily extended to be whatever size you need.
Making the Base
Once you have acquired the pole, you will need to fix it to a
stand. The stability of the stand is important. Unless you have a good one, you will have to be careful not to pull too hard on the ribbons when you dance. The easiest type of stand is a Christmas tree stand, if you own one. If you don't own one, check at local thrift stores for them. Most of the stands have holes in the feet to allow you to anchor them with stakes outdoors. If you don't own one or can't find a tree stand, making a stand is simple.
You will need two two-foot lengths of one-by-four inch boards, and
two pieces of one-by-four that are only a couple of inches long. You
will also need a floor flange (you'll find them in the plumbing department, cost is about three dollars) that will fit the end of the dowel. Nail the two foot boards together in a cross. Use the smaller pieces on the ends of the upper board to make the stand level.
Screw the floor flange to the center of the crossed boards (screws
are much more stable than nails). You will need five screws; four to screw the flange into the wood and one that will screw up through the wood and into the center of the pole for greater stability. Two more small blocks may be needed to secure the flange on the lower board, depending on the width of the flange.
Sand bags can be placed in the boards to weigh them down if needed. If you are outside, you can drill holes in the ends of the one-by-fours and stake them down.
Suspending the Ribbons
Total cost on the maypole should average about twelve dollars plus
ribbons. An additional piece that adds to the symbolism is an acorn shaped banister top. This can be purchased at a lumber yard and screwed or nailed to the top of the pole after attaching the ribbons to give it that proper "phallic" look.
Many people make a suspended ring to hold the ribbons away from the pole at the top. For this, use an old embroidery hoop covered with bright cloth. You can also attach flowers, narrow ribbons, bows, or other decorations to make this more attractive. Attach wire or thin cord on foursides so that it balances nicely, and firmly affix it to the top of the pole before attaching the ribbons.
The next step is to choose your "ribbons." There are several
options. All of them have their virtues and vices. Crepe paper is inexpensive but tears easily and the color runs if it gets wet. Ribbons are more expensive but don't tear. Cloth is fairly cheap, but bulky. It also tends to fray on the edges, making it hard to unwrap. The ribbons should be longer than the pole by about two or three feet. This allows for the extra length needed for braiding the ribbons. To attach the ribbons, simply nail them to the top of the pole.
Since most people use a maypole in a group context, you will have to decide how many ribbons you want. The easiest solution is to have one ribbon for each member who wants to dance around it. The pole will plait easier if there is an even number of ribbons, but that may mean that one person takes two, which can be awkward.
The "proper" colors of the maypole vary, depending on who you ask.
The dance described below uses only two colors, but that is primarily so that you can tell who is supposed to do what when.
The Maypole Dance
The maypole dance is usually a couples dance; it apparently
originated as a form of courting. Most versions have a formal procession to the maypole in two lines with partners coming forward to get ribbons together. It certainly avoids confusion to have people getting their ribbons one at a time, and keeps the ribbons from getting tangled. Since rare is the coven that is perfectly balanced, count off by ones and twos. "Ones" get the white ribbons, "twos" the red ribbons.
Once you have gotten your ribbon, move back out and form a circle
around the pole. White ribbon holders face widdershins (counterclockwise) and red ribbon holders face deocil (clockwise).
Music helps keep everyone together. The primary point of the music
is to keep everyone moving at about the same speed.
When the music starts, or someone says "go," begin weaving. Whites
should start by going to the outside of the person facing them, then to the inside of the next person, then to the outside, then the inside, etc. Reds begin by going to the inside, then the outside, then the inside, then the outside, etc. This is called the "grand left and right." Continue this until the pole is wound. Theoretically, it can be reversed to unwind the pole if you want to do it again, but usually it takes a couple of tries before you get the hang of it well enough to wind it cleanly. You can add a note of confusion by passing a quick kiss each time you pass someone. It will make for a lot of laughter and some bumped noses.
A more formal version of the maypole dance might go something like this: Each person curtsies or bows to his or her partner, then curtsies or
bows to the pole (god/dess image). Repeat. Then all face deocil and walk around the pole once, stop, face widdershins and repeat. All face deocil and hop, glide, step once around the pole, then face widdershins and repeat. All white ribbons take two steps toward the pole and form an inside circle. Red ribbons form an outside circle. Inside circle faces deocil, outside faces widdershins. All move in hop, glide, step once around the pole. Inside and outside circles curtsy or bow to each other, face opposite direction, and return in the same way. All curtsy or bow to partners, then to the pole. Begin grand right and left. Whites go to the outside of the person facing them, then to the inside of the next person, then to the outside, then the inside, etc. Reds go to the inside, then the outside, then the inside, then the outside, etc., until done. When the pole is plaited, curtsy or bow to your partner, drop the ribbons, join hands, and leave area in procession.
Whichever you decide to do, enjoy the dance. Beltane should be a
day of joy. With a lighthearted attitude, the maypole can be a lot of fun, even if you end up with a tangled mess. It is truly a dance of life!
by Breid Foxsong,
copyright 2000
Blessed Be,
Lady Nightshayde
You never know how much you know until you know how much you'll never know.
Blessed Be,
Lady Nightshayde
You never know how much you know until you know how much you'll never know.
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