About Beltane

For the Celts, Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season when the herds of livestock were driven out to the summer pastures and mountain grazing lands. In modern Irish, Mí na Bealtaine ('month of Bealtaine') is the name for the month of May. The name of the month is often abbreviated to Bealtaine, with the festival day itself being known as Lá Bealtaine. The lighting of bonfires on Oidhche Bhealtaine ('the eve of Bealtaine') on mountains and hills of ritual and political significance was one of the main activities of the festival....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been combined with another and moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar. It can be found in its entirety here: Beltane

Walpurgis Night

Walpurgis Night, the time is right,

The ancient powers awake.

So dance and sing, around the ring,

And Beltane magic make....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Widdershins, and can be found in its entirety here: Walpurgis Night

Festival of Belenus

Belenus, whose name means "Bright One," was one of the most ancient of Celtic gods. The Celtic fire festival, held on the eve of the first of May, known as Beltane, (the fires of Bel) is probably derived from the name of this deity. Beltane fires were lit to encourage the sun's warmth. These fires also had restorative properties and cattle were herded between them before being loosed on the new spring pastures....

... I am so sorry, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Festival of Belenus

Witches' Night Traditions and Celebrations

In Germany, Walpurgisnacht (or Hexennacht, meaning witches´ night), the night from April 30 (May eve), is the night when allegedly the witches hold a large celebration on the Blocksberg (the highest of the Harz Mountains of north central Germany)  hold revels with their Gods, and await the arrival of Spring.

In some parts of northern coastal regions of Germany, the custom of lighting huge Beltane fires is still kept alive, to celebrate the coming of May, while most parts of Germany have a derived christianized custom around Easter called "Easter fires".

In rural parts of southern Germany it is part of popular youth culture to go out on Walburgisnacht to...

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, The Pagan Calendar, and can be found in its entirety here: Walpurgis Night Traditions and Celebrations

The Magic of Gardens

Magical and healing herb gardens are sanctuaries of the soul. Indeed, any garden is a magical one to the Witch.

The earliest formal record of gardening dates back to a stone tablet from Mesopotamia circa 4000 BC. It describes how Enki, the Sumerian god of water, provided fresh water to the dry land and thereby produced fruit trees and fields from a desert like land. By 2250 BC, the famed Hanging gardens of Babylon were well established in the capital of Sumeria. These are considered to be the forerunners of gardens today....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been combined with another, and moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, it can be found here: Magickal Gardening 

To Make A Decision

If you are faced with many choices, write each down on small slips of paper. Fold each twice and place them on a flat surface (such as a picnic table) which is standing free (not up against anything), in a place where a gentle easterly wind is blowing...

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A Loving Bell

Hang up a bell with a pleasant ring in a window which remains open for a good part of each day, and through which the wind blows (preferably the West Wind).

As you do so, speak these words:

Little bell of love, I hang you to whisper my need for love on the breezes and winds....

... I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, and can be found in its entirety here: A Loving Bell

Tie Up Your Troubles

On a sturdy, preferably dead, bush or shrub still planted in the ground, in a place where the winds blow clear and free, tie or push onto the tip of a branch or twig one leaf for every one of the ills that is bothering you. If you tie the leaf, do so loosely and use a natural fiber cord....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Tie Up Your Troubles

Four Winds Wishing Spell

There are many spells designed to carry a secret wish into the universe when the productive powers of creation can bring its realization into being. Nearly all spells make use of the tremendously powerful process of creative visualization.

The following spell courts the favor of the 4 winds or the energies of the compass points. For this spell you will need to ascertain North then find South, East and West.

The 4 winds were given magical names by the ancient Greeks - Boreas, Eureus, Notus and Zephyrus - it is these forces together with those of the elemental spirits of air, water, fire and earth, that are called upon in the spell to carry your wish to the four points of the universe....

I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Four Winds Wishing Spell

Whispering Wind Spell

This is a spell to assist if someone is bothering you or if you have a strong, unfulfilled desire. To begin, make sure there is a slight breeze blowing. Light a yellow jar candle and take a few minutes to meditate on your desire or problem.

Open the window and whisper your problem or desire,...  I am so sorry to do this to you, but this post has been moved to my new website, Book of Shadows, hosted at shirleytwofeathers.com, and can be found in its entirety here: Whispering Wind Spell