Pagan & Wiccan Festivals. May 1st Beltane

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Looking forward to the Beltane festival in 2011, there's plenty of time to gather gifts and cards for friends and family. Be prepared for the May day festivities with some very unique offerings from artists around the world. With many styles to choose from their artwork definitely creates a unique item, add to this the ability to customize many of the products sold through the Zazzle website and you will create a truly personal item for yourself or your loved ones.

Welcome to a little page I've put together on the subject of the pagan festival of Beltane (Beltaine). A little on the history of the sabbat and hopefully some stunning gift ideas to give to friends, loved ones or even yourself! at the time of this celebration.

What is Beltane?

Beltane is a pagan festival that has descended from the ancient Gaelic holiday Céad Shamhain.

Samhain (Halloween) marked the end of the summer, and Céad Shamhain marks the begining. The Gaelic people celebrated in early May, enjoying the company of neighbours they might not have seen over the winter. There would be bonfires and all night celebrations before the time when farmers would be busy planting their crops, and herdsmen would need to drive the flocks to pasture.

In modern times, pagans & wiccans celebrate Beltane on May 1st as the second of the spring sabbats, Although often celebrations take place from the night of 30th April. (The first spring sabbat, Imbolc, in early February is a time for looking forward with hope to spring).

When Beltane arrives, one can actually see life renewing itself. Signs of spring are all around. Flowers and trees are budding. The weather is warmer. The days are longer and the air smells of new growth. All of our senses are telling us that winter has ended.

Although traditions and interpretations vary among the various pagan & wiccan faiths, Beltane is usually seen as a fertility festival. People celebrate to bring fertility to their lands so that their crops will grow well and be abundant, and to their animals so that they will reproduce and thrive. It can also be seen as a time to celebrate to bring fertility to your hopes and dreams.

Some pagans & wiccans see this as a time to fertilize their dreams by taking action to move themselves closer to their goals. Pagans may make lists of things they hope to accomplish in the upcoming summer.

Many countries have a national holiday on May 1st (May Day), but most people do not realise they are in fact recognising a pagan festival by marking this day.

Celtic Knot Artwork Gifts

By Bradley W. Schenck

Here's just a small sampling of gift ideas from this amazing celtic knotwork artist. I have been a fan for a very long time, and his work never ceases to amaze me. The quality of his designs make each and every one of his products a beautiful gift idea that I think anyone would be very pleased to receive. Why not browse the whole Ars Celtica Store.
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Magickal Beltane Marigold Custard

2 cups milk
1 cup organic marigold petals
pinch salt
3 tablespoons sugar
1 vanilla pod
3 egg yolks slightly beaten
cinnamon & nutmeg according to taste
1/2 teaspoon rose water
whipped cream

Using a clean pestle and mortar (or a spoon will suffice) crush the marigold petals. Mix the salt, sugar and spices together. gently heat (do not boil!) the milk with the marigolds and the vanilla pod to let the flavours infuse.

Remove the vanilla pod and add the slightly beaten yolks and dry ingredients. Cook on low heat until it thickens. When the mixture coats the spoon, add rose water and cool.
Top with whipped cream, garnish with fresh marigold petals.

The above recipe is a slight adaptation from Scott Cunningham's book "Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner", page 153, Llewellyn Publications, 1988/1990)

Wicca by Scott Cunningham

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Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner

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