The old Celtic name for May Day is Beltane which is derived from the Irish Gaelic 'Bealtaine' or the Scottish Gaelic 'Bealtuinn',
meaning 'Bel-fire', the fire of the Celtic god of light (Bel, Beli or Belinus).

On the eve of Beltane the Celts build two large fires, created from the nine sacred woods, in honor of Summer.
Purifing and protecting them in the upcoming year. The fires celebrate the return of life and fruitfulness to the earth.

Another custom was to leap over the Beltane bonfire. Young people jumped the fire for luck in finding a spouse,
travelers jumped the fire to ensure a safe journey.

Celebration included frolicking throughout the countryside, dancing the Maypole, leaping over fires, and "going a maying".
It was customary for young lovers to spend the night in the forest.

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

Celebrate May Day and Beltane Blessings to all.

~ Barbara Morris 2011

Nine Sacred Woods of Beltane

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

Morris Bells

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

You can cut lengths of ribbon to the size of your ankles,
thread three bells onto each length of ribbon and
tie around your ankles with a bow.

Dance around a bit wearing your "Morris" bells to greet the May Day spirits
and attract the helpful "Fae" to your home and/or garden.

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

MayPole Candle

You will need;

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

Cut lengths of ribbon around 18 inches each, in pretty Springtime colors.( pastels)
Tie a gold 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 but don't tie bows, you need lots of length on the ribbons.
Tie as many as you like snaking your way up the candle, leaving 1/4 candle bare.
Place in a candle stand that will raise the candle about 6 - 8 inches, so the ribbons can "drape"
Swirl the bundle of ribbons so they face East, ready to greet the dawn.
Light candle and cheer the May Day blessings to come.

~ Originally created by Barbara Morris 1999-2011

Traditional Beltane Lore

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

Herbs of Beltane

~ Written by Barbara Morris (c) 1999- 2011

Creating Fairy Magic in Your Garden

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

Help make my Fairy Garden Grow.

* Belladonna's Fairy Herb Garden *

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