thewitchnurse

[thewitchnurse]

IMBOLC / BRIGID  // A contemporary playlist for Imbolc, “the quickening of the year”, which marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and signals the stirrings of new life. 

Also known as Brigid’s Day, Imbolc celebrates the beloved Irish saint and Celtic pagan goddess of the earth and the oak, of the forge and the hearth, of poets, painters, and prophets, of healing and battle, of fertility and childbirth, and of love and death. - listen.

With songs from Florence + The Machine, First Aid Kit, Sylvan Esso, Maggie Rogers, Feist, Daughter, Beach House, Bastille, Of Monsters and Men, Angus & Julia Stone, Fleet Foxes, and more.

18 songs, 1 hr and 18 min.

[thewitchnurse]

Details, version II : Dancing Fairies, 1866, by August Malmström. Can you hear them whisper?

[thewitchnurse]

☀️ beltane! ☀️

beltane is celebrated April 30th - May 1st in the northern hemisphere.

there are lots of other posts that go into the beautiful history of this Sabbat but i was just looking to whip together more of a quick correspondence list!

activities;

bonfires, foraging, herbal/floral teas, starting/transplanting seeds, fertility/fertilizing plants, basking in the sun, hiking.

magick;

cleansing, grounding, prosperity, protection/warding.

scents;

any floral oils/incense, lemon, frankincense, ylang-ylang, cinnamon, strawberry.

crystals;

sunstone, rose quartz, carnelian, clear quartz, garnet, aventurine, malachite, amber, smokey quartz, pyrite, bloodstone, moss agate, tigers eye, citrine.

flowers/herbs;

roses, daisies, wildflowers, violets, dandelions, rosemary, mint, thyme, mugwort, ginger, cinnamon, chamomile, lavender, basil, marigolds.

colours;

pink, green, brown, white, gold, red, light blue.

trees;

birch, rowan, hawthorn.

foods;

bread, plant based dairy, faewine, red/dessert wines, honey, berries, oats, nuts.

[thewitchnurse]

Beltane, Beyond the Misconceptions of Wicca: Exploring Universal Historical Truths and Reconstructionism

The traditional roots of Beltane are actually quite different than Wicca would have you believe. While Wiccans state Beltane is when the “May Queen” and “Horned God” reunite, and is a celebration of sexual abundance—the truth behind this holiday is very different. Wiccan practice tends to appropriate Celtic pagan holidays and reimagines them with their own deities, typically the Horned God and Goddess figures.

Beltane is actually pagan holiday from the Celtic regions, notably Ireland. Beltane and Samhain serve as two bookends in a way to the year. On both of these days, it was believed the veil between our world and the Otherworld were thinnest. Irish notions of the Otherworld was not as Wicca would also have you believe, that it was the realm of the dead. Rather, the Otherworld is an adjacent sort of dimension to ours, and is the realm of the fae and other mystical beings.

Beltane was primarily a festival of livestock and preparation for summer. In Spring we planted, in Summer we sow, in Autumn we reap, and in Winter we rest. At this time right in the crux between Spring and Summer, the Irish celebrated and purified the livestock to get ready for the hard work of summer. This was done by lighting two fires, and often walking the cattle between them. This was thought to be purifying, and to ensure that the cattle would be blessed for the upcoming harvest. People too might pass between the fires. Historically, druids lit the fires and weaved into them spells. These fires were both practical, symbolic, and mystical; thought to help burn away disease, as well as to ensure safety and protection from the fae. People would also relight their hearth fires from the Beltane bonfires. At the fires were also special feasts and celebrations, with lamb being a common component of the Beltane feast.

In addition to fire, flowers were an essential symbol of Beltane or May Day. Yellow flowers would be left as an offering on the doorstep, to ensure blessing and protection over the home. Flowers were also used to adorn a variety of other things at this time, such as; wndows, garlands, cows, trees, bushes, and people.

Another very important aspect of May Day and Beltane in Irish history was the decoration of a May Bush—which some historians believe to be a vestigial practice from the earliest time of religion in Ireland, when the druids worshipped the trees. Thorn bushes and trees with thorns were thought to be especially associated with the fae. On Beltane May Bushes would be decorated with flowers, ribbons, shells, and garlands. There would be community May Bushes, as well as May Bushes at people’s homes. There were varying ways in which the May Bush was dealt with after; some remained up and decorated for quite some time, while others would be burned in the celebrations bonfires. This practice was also seen as a way to provide an offering and receive blessings from the fae.

Water was another important element on this day. The first water drawn from a well, and the morning dew from Beltane was thought to be very magical; and at sunrise people would bask in these elements. Young women would even roll through the grass and morning dew, people would collect it, and people would also leave offerings at the holy wells.

Further offerings to the fae were also practices, such as leaving food or milk at special places associated with faeries—such as faerie trees. A small bit of the cattle’s blood would taken, and buried into the earth with certain incantations ensuring protection of the herd.

There is a special site that is aligned with Beltane. During sunrise at the Beltany Stone Circle the sun aligns with the top of the only decorated stone in the circle. And while many associate Beltane with May 1st, and modern May Day celebrations; it is not strictly on that day. There are astronomical calculations that determine the date of Beltane, and it does not always fall on May 1st.

While Beltane was a practice of the Celts, there are other similarities across other ancient traditions at the same time of year.

One of these very similar practices is Valborg in Sweden—in which livestock and bonfires are once again joined together. In the Swedish celebration, livestock are left out to graze overnight with bonfires lit to ward off prey and protect the herds. Furthermore, echoing the May Bush and offering of flowers on the doorstep in Ireland, young people in Sweden collect flora and fauna from the woods at dusk, which were brought back to adorn the homes of the village.

Another somewhat similar practice at this time was Walpurgis Night and Hexennacht, which were ancient Germanic traditions. Walpurgis Night honors the Christian saint Walpurga, who made great contributions to medicine in Germany. On Walpurgis Night bonfires were lit to ward off supernatural danger. While this was thought to be danger from witches, it is quite similar to the lighting of Beltane fires to ward of danger from the Fae and the Otherworld. The Christian reasoning behind having this night’s celebration be to protect against magical threat, was due to an earlier pagan tradition of Hexennacht—in which witches gathered on this night. On Hexennacht, witches were known to have a celebration on the mountain in Germany, Brocken.

Estonia also has a celebration on April 30th into May 1st, Volbrioo and Kevadpuha. Volbrioo is like Hexennacht, a night where witches gather—and to this day people may still dress up as witches on this evening. Kevadpuha is Spring day, and falls on May 1st.

In the Czech Republic, a festival known as the “burning of the witches” occurs on this date as well. Bonfires are lit, similarly to Walpugis Night, to ward off witches. Echoing the Swedish and Celtic customs of interacting with the blooming flora and fauna, the Czech would also search for blooming cherry trees once the bonfires died out. At midnight, it was considered lucky to be kissed under a blooming cherry tree. May 1st is also considered a day of love.

On the island of Texel in the Netherlands, a celebration called Meierblis (May Blaze) is also characterized by the lighting of bonfires. These fires were not lit to ward off witches, disease, or fae; but rather to drive away the cold of winter and welcome spring.

While there are many different countries and ancient cultural traditions at this time of the year, it is interesting that they all fall around April 30th and May 1st—with some striking similarities. It is safe to say the Irish were correct in believing the veil between this world and the Otherworld is thin on this night. Many other cultures too seem to believe that the supernatural may be more of a threat on this evening, or that there is great energy to be gathered on this night. Furthermore, the worship and honoring of Spring seems to be universal at this time as well, and the element of fire being so prominent is not an aspect one can overlook.

In seeking the truth in eclectic pagan re-constructionism, I believe this review of cultural practices shines light on the universal truth that this time is certainly full of magic and power, and the best ways of invoking it is through flora, fauna, and fire.

[thewitchnurse]

Six Days of Beltane

This is a journaling and spell-writing challenge that spans six days. Each prompt will be related to some aspect of traditional Beltane celebrations. Feel free to do one or the other for the prompts, it doesn’t have to be both!

Day One: Morning Dew

One old Beltane tradition was to rise early in the morning, and before beginning any of the day’s festivities, you would cleanse yourself with the morning dew, which was said to have magickal properties. It was also common for young women to roll around in the dew to be more beautiful.

In what ways do you feel beautiful? What about you is beautiful? What do you do to make yourself feel beautiful? 

��� Write and perform a cleansing ritual to mimic the ritual of the morning dew, something to empower you and make you feel more beautiful.

Day Two: The Flower Crown

Flower crowns were traditionally woven with both greenery and flowers to represents gods and goddesses as well as a way to connect to the spring. They were also simply a festive thing to make and wear.

What are some positive things that you feel you need to “weave” into your life?

⛤ Weave your own flower crown with flowers and greenery that represent the things that you want to bring into your life

Day Three: Dancing the Maypole

The original meaning behind the Maypole is speculated, but the tradition is still carried on today usually during Beltane or around Midsummer. Some say it represented the World Tree, others call it a phallic symbol of fertility. Either way, dancing the Maypole is a tradition that celebrates the beginning of summer.

What in your life right now are you celebrating? What are some things that you want to be celebrating?

⛤ Perform a spell for happiness. If you can, create your own Maypole and make it the center of your spell.

Day Four: The Ring of Faeries

Around Beltane the veil between the worlds is said to be thin (just as they are around Samhain) and so many traditions involve protecting yourself from wondering spirits. While ghosts are typical around Samhain, during Beltane it is faeries who are most feared. Windchimes were hung around windows and doors to keep them out, and morris bells were worn to protect the wearer from being enchanted by a faerie.

What are some things you feel you should be wary of? 

⛤ If you are comfortable with it, create a spell to contact the fae, or simply offer them a gift. Or create a protection spell to help protect you (and your home) from wondering spirits.

Day Five: Jumping the Bonfire

Bonfires were built to help welcome back the sun, and also to protect against spirits. Braver folk would jump over the fires because they believed it would grant them luck, protection and/or prosperity in the year to come. They also believed it was a way to rid yourself of negativity and bad luck.

What are some things that you feel you need to let go of?

⛤ Create a banishing spell for the habits/people/things that you want to let go of Or create a divination spread to get advice on how to let go of these things.

Day Six: The Whispering Woods

This day is Beltane. This is a day of love, passion, fertility (both of the mind and the body!) and the welcoming of the summer season. The earth is alive and thriving all around us. Enjoy this day as much as you can!

After your day, sit outside in the evening and listen to the world around you. What do you hear? What are the spirits whispering to you?

⛤ Create a spell or ritual for what you think you need most today. Do some meditation and personal reflection for yourself if you wish. Commune with the spirits or sit by a fire and enjoy the warmth. 

[thewitchnurse]

#NILS🐈🌼🍃💜🍃🌼🐈BELTANE CAT🐈🌼

@samirafee

[thewitchnurse]

🌼The Maypole🌼

☀️What is a maypole?☀️

The maypole dance takes part on May 1st for Beltane. This is a form of folk dance of an ancient Germanic pagan ritual. It involves moving in circles under a poll to wrap ribbons around it, symbolizing fertility and the start of spring. Traditionally, the women take the white ribbons with their right sides to the pole, and the men take the red ribbons with their left sides to the pole, representing fertility and the birth canal. Many other colors are used, and sometimes only females take part, The weaving of the symbolic birth canal (some believe that instead of a birth canal, it is a phallic symbol, which is why some dances are preformed by mostly women) begins with music or chanting as everyone moves forward from where they stand, moving alternately over and under each person coming toward them. (Traditionally, the men begin weaving under the upheld ribbon of the first woman they encounter).

🌷What attire should I wear?🌷 People who dance around the maypole typically dress in white so that their ribbons and scarves, that were brightly colored, stood out. The flowers wreaths are symbolic of spring, and they also decided to dance barefoot to connect to the earth better.  🌼How do I use the maypole?🌼 Typically, people go in opposite circles around the maypole, skipping or jogging to the beat of the music or chant. Continue the dance until the maypole is wrapped. There is no right way to wrap a maypole.  Tie off your ribbons and let the wreath drop to the ground when you are done. Many wear bells when dancing the May dance.  The point is that Beltane is all about joining both female and male energy. 

🌸Maypole chant:🌸 We are the flow and we are the ebb We are the weavers, we are the web We are the needle, we are the thread We are the witches, back from the dead Weavers, weavers, We are weaving the web of life. Weave, weave, weave me a rainbow Out of the falling rain. Weave me the hope of a new tomorrow. Fill my cup again Lady, weave Your circle tight With a web of living light Earth and Air and Fire and Water Bind us to you. ✨Have a blessed Beltane!✨

[thewitchnurse]

[thewitchnurse]

How to Celebrate Beltane ღ

Ideas and crafts that will keep you and your guests celebrating all day and night.

💮 Outside 💮

Make a Maypole [x] or a mini Maypole [x] and dance around it with everyone, weaving the ribbons around the pole if your Maypole is large enough

Build a bonfire and jump over the fire or dance around it clockwise, making a wish as you do so

If you can, make two bonfires and walk between them to bless and purify yourself, or lead a line dance between them. Candles work as well.

Go on a picnic with those you invited over or eat outside

Face painting

Gather flowers and greens to exchange them with others

Make bouquets of flowers, a wreath of flowers, or wear flowers in your hair

Roll or wash your face in the morning’s dew for beauty, luck, and health

If it’s raining that day, wet your hair in the Beltane rain to bless the head

Bless ponds, rivers, and streams with wildflowers

Leave offerings for the Fae - milk, honey, oats, lavender, roses, etc.

Welcome in the dawn of May with singing and dancing

🏠 Inside 🏠

If you’re able to, have others come celebrate with you (please wear masks if not everyone is vaccinated)

Dress in your best clothes, usually whites and greens

Decorate your house with colorful ribbons and flowers

Adorn doors and other parts of your home with bells

Burn sweet, floral (rose, lavender, vanilla) incense or sexy (musk, patchouli, oakmoss) incense

Make flower crowns to wear [x] [x]

Create May baskets [x]. May Baskets were given or placed secretly on doorsteps to friends, the elderly, the sick, lovers, etc.

Play games with your guests, include icebreaker games, high-action contests, low-action contests, a dance, games that test the mind, and have some quiet interludes sprinkled between

Have music playing in the background of the party, play either energetic newer tunes or traditional Beltane music

If you have a partner or partners, make love to them on the Eve of May - either in your garden or decorate your room with flowers and plants before making love - Beltane is a holiday of love and fertility, but sex isn’t necessary to celebrate Beltane

If you’re single and looking for a partner, feel confident while you meet others, flirt, and embrace your sexuality on Beltane. Celebrate your body and your power during this day

🔮 For the witch 🔮

Decorate your altar with greenery, flowers, Hawthorns, leaves, acorns, wands, the athame, etc.

Create a faery garden for Beltane’s fae that come out

Cast spells such as fertility spells, love spells, good luck spells, protection of the home spells, protection spells, growth spells, etc. Sexual magic is also strong during this time

Practice divination - divination is easier than normal on days like Beltane and Samhain. Ask questions for yourself or others

Cast charms on small items like jewelry or key chains and give them to your friends and loved ones. Otherwise, make little sachets filled with herbs and flowers or sigils to give

Take a purifying, ritual bath using flowers and candles that match Beltane’s colors (red, pink, green, white, blue, yellow)

If you worship deities, give them offerings on this day or involve them in your spells. Some influential Greek deities during Beltane include Maia (Beltane honors Her), Apollo (for the start of summer), Demeter (traditionally worshiped on this day), Hestia (for home protection), Dionysus (for the Rising of Dionysus), and Aphrodite (for being a love and fertility Goddess)

🥧 In the kitchen 🥧

Between all the dancing, merry-making, and magic, a feast of food should be prepared for you and your guests. Making the celebration a potluck can lighten your workload

Traditional foods include fresh, in-season vegetables and fruits as well as…

Sweets, such as fruity desserts, chocolates, and honey, evoke the sweetness of love

Spicy foods correspond to the element of fire found in Beltane. Some ideas include curries, hot sauces, peppers, candied ginger, etc.

Aphrodisiacs and other romantic foods bring the sensual theme of Beltane into our food. Some items to consider serving or including in your cooking: almonds, asparagus, bananas, figs, nutmegs, oysters, pineapple, strawberries, truffles, and vanilla

Goats and cows are associated with Beltane and you can make plenty of meat-related dishes with them

Maybowl or May Wine is a flavored beverage customarily made for Beltane. Alcoholic versions use honey mead or white wine as the base; nonalcoholic versions use white grape juice, ginger ale, or other beverages. Fruits, herbs, and flowers are used in the punch

Make edible Maypoles using things like a cake, peppermint sticks, pretzel sticks, etc. and decorate them with the “ribbons” which can be licorice twists, Nerds ropes, colorful frosting, etc.

While nature has foods that look suggestive (bananas, papayas), you can also make certain foods into suggestive shapes yourself, like breads, cakes, chocolates, jello, popsicles, etc. and serve during this fertility festival

Have edible flowers to serve as small, quick snacks

Enjoy this wonderful, joyous day full of love, happiness, and growth!

Looking for alternative celebration tips if you’re celebrating Beltane by yourself? Then click here to see my other list [x]

[thewitchnurse]

Again, the May king and queen represent earlier personages who were regarded as embodying the spirits of vegetation and fertility at this festival, and whose marriage or union magically assisted growth and fertility, as in numerous examples of this ritual marriage elsewhere. It may be assumed that a considerable amount of sexual licence also took place with the same magical purpose. Sacred marriage and festival orgy were an appeal to the forces of nature to complete their beneficial work, as well as a magical aid to them in that work. Analogy leads to the supposition that the king of the May was originally a priest-king, the incarnation of the spirit of vegetation. He or his surrogate was slain, while his bodily force was unabated, in order that it might be passed on undiminished to his successor. But the persistent place given to the May queen rather than to the king suggests the earlier prominence of women and of female spirits of fertility or of a great Mother-goddess in such rites.

The Religion of the Ancient Celts, J.A. Macculloch (via worldofcelts)

[thewitchnurse]

Happy Beltane and Walpurgisnacht! I was listening to gypsy by Fleetwood Mac and had to draw Stevie Nicks, she is one of my all time favorite singers. I drew a quick illuminated letter for Beltane. And last but not least a few pretty candles on my mantle and in my fire place.

[thewitchnurse]

Happy Beltane witches!

[thewitchnurse]

Beltane and Samhain are the two sacred days in the wheel of the year where the veil between worlds is thinnest. You may notice fluctuations in energy, increased remembrances and shifts between past lives, and other odd occurrences. Take steps to protect yourself and your energy.

《 daily witch tip 121. 》

[thewitchnurse]

Beltane Honey Sun Cakes ☀️✨ 🍯

[thewitchnurse]

Bealtaine (Beltane)

"Bealtaine" is the Irish spelling and is pronounced as "byal-tin-ah".

"Beltane" is the Anglicised and is pronounced phonetically.

When is Bealtaine? 30th of April to the 1st of May.

What is Bealtaine? It is a Celtic fire and fertility festival that is also known as “May Day”, “Samradh”, and “May Eve”. It marks the coming of Summer.

Traditionally, jumping over a balefire during this festival is said to ensure protection over the forthcoming year - this may be where the “naked-pagans-jumping-bonfires” stereotype comes from.

Bealtaine is opposite Samhain in the Wheel of the Year, and just as they are opposed in position, they are opposed in celebration. Samhain is a festival that in many ways, celebrates death, whereas Beltane is a celebration of life.

• BEALTAINE CORRESPONDENCES •

There are many traditional activities associated with Bealtaine, such as bonfires, Maypoles and feasts, but if we’re going to be realistic, many of us can’t weave flowers into our hair and raise a Maypole in our village square.

Here’s some correspondences and associations that we can realistically work with:

• COLOURS:

Green.

Pink.

Yellow.

Red.

Brown.

Light Blue.

Lavender.

• FOOD:

Seasonal spring vegetables, such as cabbage, asparagus, radishes, onions, and potatoes (UK).

Sweets, such as chocolate, pastries and honey.

Spiced foods, such as ginger and peppers, incorporate the fire element of the festival into celebrations.

Aphrodisiacs, such as oysters, asparagus, nutmeg, and vanilla, incorporate the sensuality and fertility aspect of the festival.

Maybowl (a.k.a., May Wine), is a beverage that is typically made specifically for Beltane. Alcoholic versions of this beverage usually use honey mead or a sweet wine for a base, and non-alcoholic versions may use ginger ale. [Wine & Champagne based Maybowl Recipe]

• INCENSE:

Scents associated with Bealtaine are usually wild, earthy, and are often considered to be sensual.

Vanilla.

Cinnamon.

Patchouli.

Rose.

Lilac.

Oakmoss.

Sandalwood.

• FLORA:

Traditional flowers include: Hawthron, Rose, Sweet Woodruff, and Pansy. Others may include: Bluebell, Marigold, Primrose, and Daisy.

• OTHER TOOLS:

Other tools may include candles, an athame (ritual knife), a brazier or cauldron.

• DEITIES & ENTITIES:

Bast.

Artemis.

Diana.

Flora.

Faunus.

Pan.

Bacchus.

Hera.

Óengus.

Cernunnos.

Herne.

Rhiannon.

Eros.

Aos Sidhe.

• OTHER ACTIVITIES:

Flower Crowns: Flower crowns are a discreet, pretty and very fitting way of celebrating Bealtaine. If you make your own, use flowers that symbolise the festival - if you can. If you are using artificial flowers, focus on the colour correspondences instead. Red is a biggie as it can represent the fire and/or fertility element.

May Baskets: Traditionally, May Baskets were given to women from men (every woman in a household would get one), and they would be filled with sweets and flowers.

Bonfires: **Only if you have a safe outside space.** Bonfires are a simple way to honour this sabbat. They represent fire (you know, because they are fire), they cleanse and they bring protection. They also bring people together, and it is common to accompany the bonfire with a feast of seasonal foods.

[thewitchnurse]

❁ Beltane Moodboard ❁

[thewitchnurse]