The Eve of May
As the year moves deeper toward the light, we reach the threshold. May Day begins the light half of the year. It is the counterpart to Samhain at the end of October, the doorway into the dark half of the year. There are varying sacred associations to this time of year with many seeing the month of May as a sacred time. The sabbat of Beltane, as the equivalent of Samhain, is a magical day when the doors to the Otherworld are said to open and spirits and faeries are said to be roaming freely about the land. Witch High Priestess Laurie Cabot writes: “On Beltane, Witches celebrate the great fruitfulness of the earth.” 8 Australian Witch and High Priestess Ly De Angeles writes in her wonderful book, When I See the Wild God: “This season celebrates the fair folk and all the high kings and all the high queens from the Dagda to Artu, from Morrigan and Danu to the Ladies of the Lake.” 9 Her book gives beautiful insight into how the sabbats are celebrated in the Southern Hemisphere where Beltane occurs in October. No matter where in the world we celebrate it, Beltane and the sacred month that follows open us to the fullness of the bright summer half of the year.
Building Momentum
Since this time begins the upsurge in heat, light, and growth, it is a great time to begin work on magic designed for long-term goals and success. As the power of the earth and sun increase in strength, so too can the results of your growth-related magic. To begin a working for a long-term goal on Beltane, this spell can be of assistance. To work toward accomplishing a goal over the next five months or so (until the autumnal equinox), this spell can be a beginning point. This magic releases your intention and subsequent magic (found in later chapters) can bolster it along the way, until the intention has manifested. Such goals as ideal employment, purchasing a home or a new car, or having a child are appropriate for this type of spellwork.
Essentials of Life Spell
Place the green candle in the center of a table. To the north of the candle, set the salt. To the east of the candle, set the cup of milk. To the south of the candle, set the cauldron, and to the west, set the cup of water. For vegans or those who avoid dairy, almond, soy, or rice milk are appropriate substitutes. Write your goal on the paper and channel all of your resolve into the paper; see yourself achieving it and feeling that joy.
Light the green candle. Focus on the candle’s flame and sense how essential it is to existence. Without the heat and light of the fire element, life would not be possible. Using your dominant hand, touch your thumb to the water and bring it to your lips. Reflect on how essential this liquid is to existence. Most of this planet is composed of water, most of our body is composed of water, and without drinking water, we could not live. Touch the same thumb to the salt and taste it. Ponder how essential this substance is to life. Did you know that salt does not conduct electricity and water does not conduct electricity but saltwater does? The salt molecules move through the fluid of the water making transference possible. Salt (sodium) is a vital nutrient in our bodies (admittedly, too much can be harmful) helping to regulate fluid balance and nerve transmissions among other functions. 10 Salt is also a preservative and in the past before refrigeration was possible, salt was immeasurably important in food preservation. Not only this, but salt is seen as being symbolic of the earth overall, its mineral nature representing all the land. Finally, touch your thumb to the milk and bring it to your lips. Reflect on how vital milk is to our lives. While not every living thing drinks milk—in fact, only mammals do—it is still symbolic of basic sustenance from the mother; that essential life-sustaining nutrition every form of life needs to survive. Though it could easily be argued that milk is only essential in infancy for mammals of any type, that does not diminish its significance or miraculous nature. Fire, water, salt, and milk, together here as four vital and sacred things part of nearly every home.
Once you have connected to these substances, touch a corner of the paper to each one: water, salt, milk, flame, allowing the fire to engulf the paper, then drop it into the cauldron to burn to ashes. As the paper burns say,
As I honor the essentials of life, so do I ask them to sustain me,
I pledge to keep my stocks refilled, never letting them run bare;
Let this form a strong foundation to help attain the goals I seek,
Then with abundance newly built, from my bounty I happily share.
Once the ashes have cooled, mix in a tiny, tiny pinch of salt along with the milk and water. Pour this mixture out, ideally on the threshold of your home or in a flowerpot near the front of your home to release the energy. Pour the remaining salt in the spice bottle and reserve for future work on this goal. Always keep a supply of milk, salt, water, and a source of flame in your home while working this magic.
Holiday: Beltane
This holiday connects us to the active side of life; that primal force of generation and renewal. Its symbols are frequently related to archetypal sexual union: the maypole implanted into the earth; the fire kindled within the cauldron; the athame lowered into the chalice; all not only standing for that transformative union of sex, but also much deeper spiritual truths. The maypole for example is not only symbolic of the penis but also representative of the tree of life; the sacred world tree whose branches reach into the stars, trunk in our plane, and roots that stretch down into the underworld. The maypole then becomes an axis that can channel spiritual power and assist us in communicating with otherworld beings and forces. 11 The cauldron not only symbolizes the womb containing the fires of life, it also represents the goddess and her eternal nature and influence. To kindle a fire within the cauldron is to offer acknowledgement of her sacred power.
Not only used on Beltane but also a frequent feature of most rituals, the symbolism of the athame lowered into the cup is strong. The blade represents the Witch’s willpower—the hilt stands for our intent and the point of the double-edged blade is the meeting place for both the seen and unseen. The chalice of course symbolizes life itself; the vessel of creation holding its creation, often represented by wine. The wine (or other beverage) in the cup represents the current incarnation of forever, the molecules of the liquid being comprised of atoms that have always been in some form a part of the universe. When the blade is lowered into the cup to charge and bless the wine, it is a magical consecration; the will and intent of the Witch combining with the powers of creation and eternity. To partake of this blessed liquid is to commune with the sacred forces of nature.
Whichever ritual acts we choose to perform during sabbat celebrations, we should be aware of their higher meaning. It is not “wrong” to focus on the more sexuality or fertility-based aspects of the Beltane holiday, but to mistake the physical expressions of these factors as the only relevant elements would, in my opinion, be missing out on their deeper significance. All aspects can be celebrated according to free will and desire. There are so many options to create a rich and rewarding holiday experience that touch not only the physical realm but also into the otherworld. The essence of magic is to create change and any act of magic can be a spiritual act if done with proper reverence.
Simmering Potpourris
As the season warms and we are able to increase our activities, chaos can sometimes become the norm. If we have to coordinate schedules, activities, and obligations, tensions can build. It helps to have magical methods for restoring a peaceful environment if things get hectic. It is also a good idea to use the following recipe periodically to avoid tension in the first place.
Peaceful Home Potpourri
Stir the spices and extracts into the apple juice, charge with intent, and simmer the mixture on the stove to encourage calm and peace. Add water or more apple juice as needed if the levels get too low in the pot.
Brews
This brew captures a similar essence as the more traditional May wine, but without the alcohol or the woodruff herb, which is not readily available at most supermarkets (though sometimes for sale at a health food store). This drink can be used as a libation, a festive beverage for two, or the recipe can be doubled or tripled and it can be served in a punch bowl.
May Day Sparkle Brew
Heat the water in a small pot until it just starts to boil (add a little more water if necessary). Place the rosemary in a heatproof mug, bowl, or pitcher and pour the water over it. Allow the rosemary infusion to steep until the water has cooled (20 minutes to an hour). Strain out the rosemary and stir in the strawberry jam and vanilla extract. Add the white grape juice, stir again, and charge with your intent. Pour the mixture into cups so that each cup is half full. Add club soda to fill each cup and serve.
Incense
The ingredients of this incense are all in tune with the passionate, high-energy fire of this holiday. They are green, bright, and powerfully magical.
Beltane Power Incense
Combine the herbs in a bowl and grind them together with your fingers or the back of a spoon. You could also use a mortar and pestle to crush and blend the herbs. Charge the mixture to be an incense of Beltane and bottle for use.
Oils
This oil is dual purpose; it is a magical oil for Beltane but also can be used as a spicy cooking oil for frying or basting vegetables or meat.
Beltane Fire Oil
Sprinkle the chili flakes and paprika in a pot and cover with the oil. Warm the oil over low heat just until you can smell it (be careful with this one as the aroma can be irritating). Remove from heat and allow to cool. Charge the oil to be attuned to the holiday, strain, and bottle for use.
Oil Spell
This bit of food magic can be a delightful boost to the sabbat feast. It is a recipe that is vegan, spicy, hearty, and completely in tune with the season. Mushrooms are one of the foods that work well with Beltane and they provide a wonderful magic all their own.
Magical Grilled Mushrooms
Wash the mushrooms and arrange them on a large plate. Brush them with the Beltane Fire oil and then sprinkle them with salt. If you are using a larger variety of mushroom, such as a portabella, there is no need to skewer, but for the smaller mushrooms, arrange several on each skewer, leaving a little space between each one. Charge the mushrooms to be food that will help to open your awareness to the energy of this holiday. On a preheated grill, place the mushrooms in the center area and cook them 5 to 8 minutes, flipping and basting them with the oil halfway between. Remove from the grill and serve.
Powders
This powder is a lively blend of green vitality mixed with the strong purifying powers of the onion. It can be used to ring candles for healing magic, dusted across thresholds to guard them from unwelcome influences, or even sprinkled into foods to bring magical healing and purification energies within.
Purifying and Healing Powder
Open the tea bags into a bowl and add the marjoram. Break up the leaves with your fingers and add the onion powder. Gently stir to combine and charge the mixture with your intent for purification and healing and bottle for use.
Powder Spell
Green Healing Candle Spell
Write down what you wish to be healed. Fold the paper in half and in half again.
If you want something restored like a wound or broken bone, fold the paper toward you. If you want the healing to take something away, such as a wart or an illness, fold the paper away from you. Set the paper on the working table. Anoint the candle with the olive oil, from the top to the middle and from the bottom up to the middle. Sprinkle the healing powder on a plate and roll the candle in the powder being careful to avoid getting the powder stuck to the wick. Set the candle on the table near the paper.
Focusing very strongly on your magical goal, light the green candle and gaze at its flame. Once the flame is burning steady, pick up the paper, light it from the candle and as you drop it in the cauldron, say the spell.
Through healing magic and candle’s flame,
restore the body to glowing health;
what once was whole, return again,
let strength and vigor be freely felt.
Allow the paper to burn out completely and once the ashes have cooled (pour water on them if unsure) bury them outdoors or in a flowerpot.
Charms
With this season being the light counterpart to the Samhain season, mischievous unseen beings could be out to stir up trouble. In this case, it never hurts to have some magical protection. Even without otherworldly creatures, mundane mischief is also best deflected or blocked. This charm bag is not only protective in nature, but also lends the added touch of increased psychic awareness so that danger can be more easily avoided.
Heightened Protection Amulet
Layer two squares of cheesecloth. In the middle of the square, place the mushrooms, flax seeds, oregano, and radish greens. Hold your hands over the herbs and charge them with the intent that they shall form a powerful bundle to protect from harm and alert when danger is near. Gather the corners of the cheesecloth and twist around the bundle, capturing the herbs within. Wind the red thread around the bundle several times and secure it with three knots. Once more, focus on the magical goal and say the spell.
Root and seed and leaf combine,
with fairy cap to bolster the charm;
magic bundle, bound with red twine,
and knotted thrice to protect from harm.
This charm can be kept on your person or in your home or car as desired.
Foods
Oats are one of the ritually appropriate food staples of this time of year. They are magically aligned with abundance and this energy is perfect for Beltane. Dairy products such as butter or cheese are appropriate as well since these items are symbolic of transformation. Though they are more prominently featured in their hard-cooked form at the spring equinox, eggs are another magical ingredient that is appropriate at this time. They are symbolic of fertility and rejuvenation, both important themes of Beltane. Potatoes are another fine food for this time of year. Their magic relates to healing and moon work. A fine meal for either a Beltane breakfast or as part of the ritual feast that combines all of these foods is a special frittata with oat bread toast.
Sunny May Day Frittata
Preheat the broiler in the oven. Charge the ingredients separately with your intent. After the potatoes are sliced, cook them in lightly salted boiling water until they are fork-
tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Drain the potatoes and reserve. Chop the onion and add it and the garlic to a frying pan along with the butter. Sauté until the onion is translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. To the pan, add the sliced potatoes and the herbs and spices. Stir gently to combine. Scramble the eggs in a bowl with the milk and salt and pepper to taste. Pour them over the potatoes and onions in the pan. Lightly stir them with a spatula so that they set in “large curds” as they cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Sprinkle ½ cup of the cheese evenly over the surface of the frittata and press it in lightly with a fork or spatula. Add the remaining cheese over the top and set the pan in the oven. Broil until the eggs are puffed and set and the cheese begins to brown in spots, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before slicing. Serve with whole grain oat bread, toasted and topped with butter.
Bath Salts
This lively formula creates a purifying bath salt that helps align your energies with that of Beltane. It is great for a pre-ritual bath.
Bright Fire Bath Salt
Mix the baking soda, sea salt, and Epsom salt together in a bowl. Stir in the magical oil and the drops of mint extract. Charge the mixture with your intent that it help to connect you to the energy of the sabbat. Bottle for use. A word of caution: do not use this mixture if you have a cut or broken skin as it can be irritating (with the salt, mint, and spices in the Beltane oil); keep away from your eyes.
Beltane Special Formula
Beginning on Beltane Eve and continuing throughout the month that follows, faeries and otherworldly spirits are said to be roaming freely across the land. Though in modern times there is a much more benevolent view of faery beings, many legends exist of fearsome or trouble-making fey that are best warded off. In the ancient past, this was considered much more of a problem than it is today, and there were a great many formulas and procedures designed to keep harmful faeries at bay. Many strong plants and herbs were used to lend their protective magic around the home and also for pets and cattle to safeguard their lives and health.
One of the prized plants for protection against the supernatural is the fennel. Though there are several varieties, both wild and cultivated, all have protective qualities. In the past, fennel was hung above doorways to prevent evil from entering and an ointment was created from fennel that was used to anoint the udders of cattle in order to protect their milk from being stolen or soured by mischievous faeries. 12
Faery Protection Ointment
Chop the fennel bulb, fronds and all, and place it in a frying pan along with the 3 tablespoons of shortening (vegetable shortening is the best choice for this recipe especially if you will be using the ointment on people or animals). Over medium heat, sauté the fennel until it just begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes. Add a teaspoon of water to the pan to allow it to steam for 1 minute more then remove from heat. Stir in the remaining cup of shortening and allow it to melt completely. Pour the mixture into a mason jar. If you would like a smoother ointment, you can strain it through a metal sieve as you pour. Let the ointment cool completely and charge with your intent.
Using the Faery Protection Ointment
This salve can be used in much the same way that you would a magical oil; to anoint the wrists, third eye, and back of the neck for protection, to lightly anoint a pet on the back of the neck (where they can’t lick it off), or to touch the inside of doorways or objects to offer them protection. It can also be applied lightly to the front and rear bumper of a car to lends its power. Store the ointment in the refrigerator to avoid it turning rancid. The ointment should last about one month. More information and recipes relating to faeries can be found in upcoming chapters.
Ritual
As the momentum of energy increases and the tide turns toward the more active half of the year, the sabbat of Beltane is acknowledged as a door—the gateway from the cold, dark portion of nature’s cycle to emerge renewed into the light. This holiday is a joyous celebration of life and abundance. In this ritual are four main themes that will be addressed: waking up the land, connecting to the power of the otherworld and the earth, “turning the wheel” with a modern version of lighting the Bel-fire, and partaking of the energy of the season so it may empower you.
Three Realms Beltane Rite
This is a ritual that can be done outdoors and if that is possible, so much the better. If the rite is conducted outdoors, a small table should be set up for an altar, preferably on open land. Just north of the altar, it should be possible to drive the handle of the broom into the earth, deep enough for it to be free standing. Dig a hole in the ground and then refill it with the same dirt if needed. The choice of buying a large planter urn and potting soil to act as the vessel to hold the broom is another good option. Prior to the rite, if you have a garden, you can walk through it holding the broom so that its bristles brush just above the plants and visualize this as blessing the plants with growth and health and protecting them from harm.
On the altar, place the cauldron in the center with one candle within and the remaining candles surrounding it: one at each of the direction points of north, east, south, west, and one in between each direction. These candles are standing in place of the Beltane fire. As a bonfire, in some traditions nine different woods are used: birch, oak, hazel, rowan, hawthorn, willow, fir, apple, and vine. However I think candles will suffice as these woods are not readily available at the supermarket. Green is an ideal color for the Beltane candles, but if you wish to represent the nine different woods, nine different colored candles can be used, if that many colors could be found. Set the cup, filled with red wine (or grape juice), on the left of the altar and the athame on the right.
If the ritual is to take place indoors, the broom can simply be leaned against the altar so that it stands (mostly) upright or the planter pot can be carefully brought indoors. Either way, sweep the area thoroughly with the broom. Normally when using a broom in magic, this is done in a symbolic sense, but in this case, literal cleaning is required. Sweep the floor (or ground) and gather up any debris into a dustpan and throw it out the back door, away from your home. If outdoors, simply throw the dirt away at the farthest point in your yard. Physically removing the old dust or dirt serves to cleanse and awaken your personal space and in turn signals the land to your presence and intention.
After the sweeping, use the broom to encircle yourself within the working area in a circle of energy, using the broom as a magical staff. Drive the handle of the broom into the ground so that it stands straight up with the bristles pointed toward the sky. If indoors, the broom may have to be placed bristle-side down against the table so that it won’t tip over, which is fine. As you set the broom, visualize that it is sending out beacons of light above and below, to the heavens and down to the underworld, connecting all three realms. This reaching out to the otherworld in both directions creates a channel through which we can receive spiritual blessings and also send our magic outward with greater ease. To proclaim this work, as you place the broom say:
Witch’s broom of magic might,
stretch your energy above and below;
grant me access to heavenly light,
and deep earth power help bestow.
Light the eight candles around the cauldron proclaiming, “Here I light the bright fire of Beltane to warm the land and turn the wheel.” Light the ninth candle in the cauldron and say, “May the season be green and the earth be fertile, restoring the balance, damages heal.” If you are going to call upon deities, this is the ideal time to do so. Offerings can be given, thanks and prayers be spoken, and any spells—particularly those for protection—can be worked as well.
To draw in the energy of the sabbat and the blessing of the deities, the wine can now be consecrated. Holding the cup in your weak hand and the athame in your strong hand, lower the tip of the knife into the wine, visualize white light pouring into the liquid and say:
Vessel of creation, elixir of life,
union of spirit and flesh combine;
liquid charged through cup and knife,
pierce the veil and bless the wine.
Set down the athame, hold the cup up with both hands in salute, and drink of the wine to share in the communion of all.
Thank any deities, faeries, or elementals you have called and extinguish all of the candles except for the one in the cauldron. Focus your mind on the broom and visualize that its energies are being drawn back from the upper and lower realms, restoring the broom to its ordinary state. As you visualize proclaim, “Its energy spent, the power withdraws, to be unleashed again when there is need. With thanks and honor to spirit kin, the gates are closed and blessed be.” Pull the broom from its post and use it to “cut” open the circle. Return to the cauldron and before you extinguish the candle say, “With thanks and love this sabbat is released, the power is claimed and magic set free.” Feasting and relaxation follows.
Witchy Ways
Though the maypole is easily recognized as a facet of this holiday in some regions, another important symbol of Beltane is the maybush, a decorated bush that symbolizes the joy and fertility of the holiday. It’s similar to a Christmas tree though it is usually decorated with colorful eggshells, ribbons, small fruits, and little trinkets. If you have a small outdoor bush or a sturdy indoor plant, this is a fun and traditional decoration to try. Just decorate it how you see fit in honor of the sabbat.
Beltane Shopping List
8 Laurie Cabot, Celebrate the Earth (New York: Delta, 1994), 141.
9 Ly De Angeles, When I See the Wild God (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2004), 149.
10 Harvard Health Publications, Salt and Your Health, Part 1: The Sodium Connection, (health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/salt-and-your-health, 2016).
11 Gwyn, Light From the Shadows: Modern Traditional Witchcraft (Taunton, UK: Capall Bann, 1999), 124.
12 Vivian A. Rich, Cursing the Basil and Other Folklore from the Garden (Victoria, BC: Touchwood Editions, 2010), 142–143.