Great earth mother!
We give you praise today
and ask for your blessing upon us.
As seeds spring forth
and grass grows green
and winds blow gently
and the rivers flow
and the sun shines down
upon our land,
we offer thanks to you for your blessings
and your gifts of life each spring.
As seeds press forward to grow into lush green plants, we honor this time of abundant fertility with the celebration of Beltane from Sunset to Sunset April 30th - May 1st. We welcome the May Queen, the manifestation of growth, renewal and, as she is joined with the the Young Oak King, we simultaneously give gratitude and send a prayer for a fertile Earth.
In honor of this ritual day, we wanted to share a few little rites and recipes you can use and meld with your personal traditions.
The Maypole:The ring of flowers at the top of the Maypole represents the fertile Goddess and the pole (traditionally made of birch) represents the virility of the God. Its many colored ribbons and the ensuing weaving dance symbolize the spiral of Life and the union of the Goddess and God, the union between Earth and Sky. The colors of Beltane are green, red and white/silver. Green represents growth, abundance and fertility. Red represents strength, vitality, passion and vibrancy. White represents cleansing and clearing and the power to disperse negativity.
A Simple Beltane Creation Ritual by Black Swan Temple:
A simple and powerful ritual that you can do alone or with a group involves working with the elements of earth, water, fire, air and our own conscious power to create.
1. Create a Beltane Incense or Smudge
Identify and collect local herbs, sage and plants that can be used for cleansing and purification. Bless and dry these and use them as offerings of purification and especially for fire rituals.
2. Create a sacred space. Clear, smudge and sanctify.
Supplies
- Collect things that physically represent the four elements of earth (dirt in a bowl), water (water in a bowl), fire (candle or fire), air (empty bowl and or feather).
- Seeds — collect some seeds for your ceremony. Local seeds or seeds of a plant that you love and connect with would be great.
- Paper, pen and matches.
- Cauldron, metal bowl or cast iron bowl to catch burnt paper and sage.
Steps
- Open with prayer or centering practice.
- Write down that which you are desiring to co-create.
- Take a seed and place between hands envisioning for two minutes with all of your senses (sight, smell, taste, sound, feelings) it as fully manifest.
Now proceed with the ritual, as follows:
- dipping your fingers in the water
- touching the flame
- Touching the earth
- Swirling your fingers in the empty bowl
- Burn the paper which you wrote down. As it burns toss in a little of your smudge mix or sage.
- Complete and release the energy by saying something like “may this or something even greater manifest. So be it as it serves the Light.”
Irish Nettle Soup Ingredients for 6 servings:
1 1/2 oz butter
1 1/2 lbs potatoes
4 oz onions
3 1/2 oz leeks
4 1/2 cups chicken stock
5 oz young nettles, washed and chopped
3/4 cup whole milk or cream
salt and pepper to taste.
Directions:
1. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan; when it foams, add the potatoes, onions and leeks. Toss them in the butter until they are well coated.
2. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, cover. Steam on gentle heat for about 10 minutes.
3. Add the chicken stock and simmer until the vegetables are just cooked. Add the nettle leaves and cook until soft.
4. Whisk in the cream; taste and correct seasoning. Serve hot and enjoy!
You can find more ideas here