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Forsythia Folklore
Sometime between Ostara and Beltane, you’ll probably start to see the bright yellow blooms of forsythia plants appearing. This early spring flower is associated with the sun, thanks to its yellow flowers, and it seems to have an uncanny ability to blossom without any care or tending whatsoever–it’s not uncommon to find random forsythia plants in full bloom at properties long since abandoned. According to some legends, once the forsythia flowers begin to bloom, it means you’ll still have three more snowfalls before the winter is truly over. During the Victorian era, flowers were assigned special meanings, as part of a “secret language of flowers.” The forsythia is associated with…
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Honoring the Green Man at Beltane
For our ancient ancestors, many spirits and deities were associated with nature, wildlife, and plant growth. After all, if you had just spent the winter starving and freezing, when spring arrived it was certainly time to give thanks to whatever spirits watched over your tribe. The spring season, particularly around Beltane, is typically tied to a number of pre-Christian nature spirits. Many of these are similar in origin and characteristics, but tend to vary based on region and language. In English folklore, few characters stand out as much–or are as recognizable–as the Green Man. Learn more about this ancient archetype here: The Green Man, Spirit of the Forest
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Celebrating Beltane with Kids
Every year, we talk about Beltane and fertility and the horned god and the warm earth and blah blah blah, and every year I get messages from parents who are like “My kid is four, do I really have to talk about the erect phallus of the god?” Well, nooooooo, of course not, because this is modern Paganism and you can celebrate anything you like in the way that best suits you and your family. A lot of people don’t focus on fertility for Beltane at all, because it excludes a lot of relationships, but that’s a conversation for a whole ‘nother post. So, what’s a Pagan parent to do,…
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Spring Full Moon Ritual
Spring done sprung, and flowers done riz, so it’s a perfect time to hold a spring full moon ritual! The Wind Moon of April is rolling in on the 19th, so why not hold an outdoor celebration? This month is chock full of rain — remember that old chestnut about April showers? Along with the sun, water helps bring life back to the earth. It is the source of much of our existence and helps to cleanse and purify us. It can both destroy us and heal us. In ancient times, the well or spring was often seen as a sacred and holy place — a place in which we…
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Recipes for Your Beltane Celebrations
Beltane is a time to celebrate the fertility of the earth, and the return of spring blossoms and blooms. It’s a season of fire and passion, and when many of us honor the wild and lusty god of the forests. Beltane is a time for planting and sowing of seeds; again, the fertility theme appears. The buds and flowers of early May bring to mind the endless cycle of birth, growth, death, and rebirth that we see in the earth. Try one of these seven seasonally-appropriate recipes for your Beltane celebrations! Beltane Recipe Ideas
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The Wind Moon’s a-Coming
I woke up at zero-ass-thirty this morning to the sound of the lamp on my nightstand blowing over, because I like to sleep with my windows open, but I live in the Midwest, so this time of year we get a lot of blustery gustery breezes in the wee hours. This being April, the upcoming full moon is pretty aptly named — it’s the Wind Moon, and it rolls in on the 19th. Now is a good time to explore the winds that blow from each of the cardinal directions. For instance, the North Wind is associated with cold, destruction, and change–and not always the good kind of change. If…
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Celebrate Beltane with a Maypole Dance!
The maypole dance is a spring ritual long known to Western Europeans. Usually performed on May 1, which is Beltane, or May Day, the folk custom is done around a pole garnished with flowers and ribbon to symbolize a tree. Practiced for generations in countries such as Germany and England, this tradition dates back to the dances ancient people used to do around actual trees in hopes of harvesting a large crop. The pole was erected on the village green or common, or even a handy field—thrust into the ground either permanently or on a temporary…
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Beltane is Coming!
Okay, y’all, I know I’ve been a bit slack on the blogging lately, but I’ve been super swamped with my Real Job plus family stuff and Life Things, but here I am, back and as sassy as ever. First and foremost, I wanted to let everyone know that if you’ve been following my About Paganism page on Facebook, you may have noticed a lack of activity since about March 4. That’s not because I’ve been busy, it’s because those rat bastards at Facebook disconnected my admin privileges, and I’m still trying to get them back. Trying to get in touch with a real live person in Tech Support at FB…
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The Magic of Vesta and Juno
In ancient Rome, Juno was the goddess who watched over women and marriage. Vesta was the protector of the hearth, and of virginity. Together, these two mighty goddesses were sacred to Roman women. Although Juno’s festival, the Matronalia, was actually celebrated in March, the month of June was named for her. It’s a month for weddings and handfasting, so you could easily honor Juno at this time of the year. During the Matronalia, women received gifts from their husbands and daughters, and gave their female slaves the day off work. Like nearly all Roman deities, Vesta had her own holiday as well. The Vestalia was celebrated from June 7 to…
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Getting Handfast? Give Your Guests Magical Favors!
It’s become traditional to give each of your guests a small wedding favor. Typically, these are small trinkets with either the date of the event or the couples’ names on them. However, if you’re having a Pagan handfasting, rather than a traditional wedding ceremony, why not come up with an idea that celebrates your spiritual path, as well as announcing your commitment to the community? In some traditions, it’s become popular to have a besom wedding. Decorate small brooms with ribbons, flowers and a bundle of fresh herbs. You can usually pick up little brooms at the craft store, or you can make your own. Make a magical charm for…
