Beltane Rite

Blessed Beltane.

As promised here is a breakdown of how I celebrated the holiday.
I had work all of May Day, so all of my ritual was performed on Beltane Eve.

Firstly I collected my supplies;

And I began to set my ritual space.
Due to not owning our own house yet, I could not have a full Beltane Bonfire! (One day...One day...)
So, I gathered a collection of candles in a circle, to represent the fires of Beltane.
Fire is a huge part of this rite, as is the Sun God.
The fires of Beltane are said to hold healing, magical properties. For thousands of years, people have jumped the bonfire flames, to rid themselves of illness, to receive mental clarity, or simply to make a wish.

Light all but one candles, and set your incense going.
Cast your circle.

Meditate a little, and ground yourself here.
A common tradition for those not living in towns with pagan traditions is to make their own mini maypole.
The maypole represents the union of the Lord and Lady of the Greenwood, and dancers take ribbons and dance around the pole intertwining them around the pole.

To make my own, I set out this morning with the sun beaming down on me, to the nearby woodland, and collected an appropriate size stick.
Then coming home I collected my ribbons.
Now in this sacred space I've made, I set about wrapping these ribbons around my chosen stick. My mind truly focused on the task, the braiding of the ribbons a therapeutic rhythm.

With this completed, I can set my maypole aside.
Now rise.
And dance in my circle. If you decide to do this ritual; Don't feel silly, or embarrassed, just dance freely. Put on music if you have to, or if you're outside, sense the rhythm of the earth.
Dance for as long as you feel comfortable, and smile while you do so.

Sitting back at my candles, I began to chant.

" I dance delight
On Beltanes Night.
All senses freeing,
I dance for being.
Sun, embrace the earth, Bright
I ask you with this Rite."

I light my one remaining candle in the name of the Sun God, and drink from a chalice of Wine in the name of the Goddess.

And to close my rite, I jumped my candle DIY bonfire, and made a wish!

 *************

Something like this could easily be tailored to your own Beltane celebration.

Enjoy.
Much Love,
Jade

xx

Imbolc New Start Altar

One of my ultimate life inspirations Veronica Varlow, posted this tutorial - http://dangerdame.com/2014/01/27/how-to-become-the-person-you-want-to-be-in-2014/
On a bit of candle magick to become who you want to be. I knew I had to do this! And with Imbolc just around the corner, I thought this time of new beginnings was perfect.

So below is my own process of making this little altar, but Veronicas is better, so I recommend you go check hers out also.

First things first.
Find a log, or small tree stump that means something to you, and almost as importantly, won't roll on a flat surface.

This is mine. I was on my way to an old wood from my childhood, to find one...and I came across this in my path. Put there for me perhaps? Symbolically it's wonderful, cut from a young tree I walked passed daily to get to my boyfriends house, it's a true representation of clearing the old to promote new growth.

The next step involves candles...I suggest getting candles all the same length, so the burning time remains the same. You can either buy special candles, or I found it a great excuse to use up old candles I'd had around for years.

Veronicas blog calls for 9 candles...I limited this to 3 for my own personal choice. Partly because I couldn't choose any more words, and because 3 is also a magic number.

So, this is the hard part. Choose 3 (or however many applies) words that you wish to embody for 2014. 3 Wishes if you will, personal things. Personality, mind and soul words. Some can be internal, some can be external, to bring things your way. My words are; Courage, Creative, Loved. I think this is all I am wanting for the new year. Next carve these words into your candles...inscribing them with your thoughts and motivation.

Lighting each candle in turn, let wax drip and pool onto your log, to create a standing base for your candle. Press the base of the candle into the hardening wax. And make sure it is stuck tight. Remember these candles are to be lit, and if they fall off while alight, you may cause some serious damage to your home or to yourself.

Below is a photo of my finished result...I love it! I followed Ve's advice and placed my altar somewhere I will always see it. Every time I leave the house these words, and those emotions will be staring me in the face.

Happy Imbolc to anyone who reads this, and if you fancy making your own, please feel free to share them with me! And with Ve, she'd love to see them all!