April 30th -- Beltane
Also known as Roodmas or May Day
Beltane has long been celebrated with feasts and rituals. Beltane means fire of Bel; Belinos being one name for the Sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate. As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood prevails. In old Celtic traditions it was a time of unabashed sexuality and promiscuity where marriages of a year and a day could be undertaken but it is rarely observed in that manner in modern times.
In the old Celtic times, young people would spend the entire night in the woods "A-Maying," and then dance around the phallic Maypole the next morning. Older married couples were allowed to remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one night. May morning is a magickal time for wild water (dew, flowing streams, and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for beauty, or to drink for health.
The Christian religion had only a poor substitute for the life-affirming Maypole -- namely, the death-affirming cross. Hence, in the Christian calendar, this was celebrated as 'Roodmas'. In Germany, it was the feast of Saint Walpurga, or 'Walpurgisnacht'. An alternative date around May 5 (Old Beltane), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus, is sometimes employed by Covens. (Both 'Lady Day' and 'Ostara' are names incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca.)
Think of the May pole as a focal point of the old English village rituals. Many people would rise at the first light of dawn to go outdoors and gather flowers and branches to decorate their homes. Women traditionally would braid flowers into their hair. Men and women alike would decorate their bodies. Beltane marks the return of vitality, of passion. Ancient Pagan traditions say that Beltane marks the emergence of the young God into manhood. Stirred by the energies at work in nature, he desires the Goddess. They fall in love, lie among the grasses and blossoms, and unite. The Goddess becomes pregnant of the God. To celebrate, a wedding feast, for the God and Goddess must be prepared. Let Them guide you! Breads and cereals are popular. Try oatmeal cakes or cookies sweetened with a dab of honey. Dairy foods are again appropriate...just make a lovely wedding feast and you are sure to enjoy yourself! An early morning walk through a local park or forest could be fun for everyone. Gather up some plants or flowers to display in your home. Mom and daughter could braid their hair, and weave in a few tender blossoms.
Blessed Be!
No rituals found!
Beltane Recipes
Things to eat at Beltane would be ice cream, yogurt, cheese, custards, quiche, any dairy products.
Also Oatmeal, cookies, bread and Bannock
Oatmeal Bread
1 cup evaporated milk
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1TBSP vinegar
1cup all purpose flour
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup raisins or chopped nuts
Beat milk, oil and vinegar in mixing bowl until smooth
Add oats, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and mix well
Add nuts or raisins turn into loaf pan bake at 350 for 50 - 60 minutes or until done depending on the oven
Quiche
1 unbaked pie shell
2 eggs
1 cup half and half
1/2 tsp salt
dash of red pepper
3/4 cup gruyere cheese
1 TBSP flour
7 1/2 oz crab or mushrooms or peppers or whatever you would like
Bake pie shell at 450 for 10 minutes or until slightly brown
Beat eggs, half and half, salt and red pepper. Set aside
Combine cheese, flour, crab or mushrooms etc and sprinkle into the bottom of the pie shell.
Pour the egg mixture over it
Bake at 450 degrees uncovered for 45 minutes or until a knife inserted comes out clean
Yogurt
2-3 TBSP prepared yogurt
1 quart skim milk
1/2 cup instant non fat milk powder
Allow yogurt to reach room temp
Bring milk to scalding then cool to 110-115 degrees. Add dry milk and pour into bowl
Cover then wrap in large towel
Set in warm place for 6 to 8 hours. When semi solid store in fridge
Add fruit when you just before serving
May Wine
White wine with a pinch of woodruff and fresh strawberries
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