Nature – though not immune to human wrath of course – seemingly unaware of the hardships and tragedies unfolding across the globe at the moment, follows a rhythm nearly as old as time itself.

The months and seasons will transpire no matter what we do. They were here long before you and I were born, and it is a virtual certainty they will be here long after.

For those who observe it, the Pagan Wheel of The Year is much the same.

While there is little historical proof that any ancient culture observed the exact same eight festivals/sabbats annually, contemporary Pagans and witches have combined elements of traditional seasonal celebrations to create a powerful eight-part sabbat system that aligns with the beliefs/practices of many (though certainly not all) who fall under these wide banners.

One of the neopagan sabbats that we do know a fair bit about and which has roots stretching back for many centuries is Beltane.

This is – in the Northern Hemisphere – the traditional Gaelic May Day festival. Along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh, these four comprised the main seasonal festivals observed by the early inhabitants of Gaelic settled lands.

Today these annual dates, which each fall between an equinox and a solstice, are often referred to as “Greater Sabbats” and “Cross-Quarter Days”.

Fascinatingly, back in the time of the ancients who inhabited various parts of Europe, Beltane heralded the start of the summer pastoral season.

It was not, we believe today, a mid-spring celebration, but rather the unofficial start of summer.

This view was held by various other cultures around the world, too, who saw May – not the latter days of June – as being the time when spring began to pass the torch to summer.

It is primarily for this reason that the sabbat of Litha (the Summer Solstice) which follows Beltane has traditionally been referred to as Midsummer in various cultures (including many in Central and Northern Europe).

Starting at Yule (if not Samhain) straight on to Imbolc and to a degree, even during Ostara, many witches/Wiccans/Pagans work diligently to honour the power of light and warmth. Candles, fires, warm colours, and everything from crystals to foods in sunny hues are employed to this end.

We know that our actions do not actually cause each season to return, but by working in tandem with them and celebrating both the present moment and the months ahead, we strengthen our ingrained bond to each chapter of the year all the more.

Though it is at Litha that the sun reaches its annual apex, with the Summer Solstice being the day of the year with the longest amount of sunlight, I cannot help but feel that so much of what we have worked towards and eagerly anticipated culminates in Beltane’s return.

In this post, we are carrying on with the periodically occurring series here in which a slew of crafts, DIY projects, and home décor ideas pertaining to one of the sabbats is rounded up in a handy-dandy spot for all those who may be seeking ideas and inspiration on this front.

Thus far, this series has covered the following sabbats:

–Ostara

–Mabon

–Yule

As you no doubt guessed, Beltane will be the focus this time around.

Before we dive headfirst into the list of forty awesome Beltane craft ideas, however, let’s explore the celebration of May 1^st a little more.

Part spring, part summer, entirely lovely

Beltane has one foot firmly planted in spring and the other – which I like to imagine as sporting a chic sandal – in summer.

Sitting precisely halfway on both the calendar and The Wheel of the Year from Samhain (+ Halloween), Beltane is an intensely liminal period unto itself.

South of the equator, many who observe the sabbats in reverse order to those in the Northern Hemisphere, are embracing Samhain just as we throw open our hearts once more to Beltane.

For those who count down the nanoseconds each year until Samhain’s return, the knowledge that from May 1^st onward, we will be closer to the end of October than further away from it is enough to make us downright giddy.

I adore Beltane and find my connection to it grows stronger with each fresh year. In a lot of ways, I have come to see it as the Samhain of the spring/early summer and find that I do indeed get rather excited + happy as May 1^st rounds the corner again.

On the day proceeding Beltane, April 30^th, I observe Walpurgis Night. This event is not a sabbat, but it is a traditional Central European event that some – both inside and out of the contemporary Pagan/witchy world – continue to mark centuries after its roots first took hold.

A sizeable percentage of my ancestry hails from the lands comprising Central and Northern Europe, and my own eclectic witchy bases the majority of its practises and beliefs around the Paganistic traditions of these lands. Thus, Walpurgis Night jives with my path all the more.

I have come to look at it a bit like the Beltane equivalent of Christmas Eve. Though the two observances do, of course, differ significantly!

Beltane is a joyous, gorgeous seasonal celebration that is open to one and all, regardless of their personal spiritual journey.

We each have a right to celebrate and delight in the return of May and the road it will guide us on as we venture forth towards full-fledged summertime.

Some of the most common and potent Beltane themes, correspondences, and symbols include the following:

-Fertility and new life

-Family

-Farm animals/livestock

-Herbs, herbal medicine, and herbal magick

-Grounding/earthing

-Seeds and sowing (both literal and metaphorical)

-Flowers and green plant life

-Baskets (including traditional May Day baskets)

-Birds

–Butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and other insects that are key garden helpers

-Sacred bodies of water (and water in general)

-Faeries and other wee folk

-Youth and remaining young at heart

-Passion, lust, and love

-Handfastings and weddings

-Floral crowns

-Ribbons

-Knots and knot/cord magick

-Growth (both in terms of the natural world and one’s own personal growth)

-Cleansing and purifying

-Bathing

-Sunshine and light

-Bonfires

-Wreaths

-Music and dancing

-Hobbies and passions

–Rainbows

-Unity

-The Greenman

-The Maiden entering the Mother/Mature phase of her lifecycle

-Both the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine

-Strength

-Optimism

-Positivity

-Manifestation

-Giving, sharing, and helping others

-Seasonal foods and feasts

-Varieties of incense and essential oil [LINK] centered around seasonal plants, flowers, fruits, and herbs (i.e., lilac, honeysuckle, rose, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, strawberry, etc)

-Honouring and tending to the earth

-Listing to and following your heart

-Divination and connecting with the spirit world/ancestors

-Trusting your intuition

-Burning away/parting with elements that are holding you back or no longer serving you well

-Adventure

-Growing further in one’s spirituality

-Uniting and permeating the mundane with a greater sense of the sacred

-Nurturing and compassion (very much including self-care and self-love)

-Balance

-Harmony

Other names and alternative spellings for Beltane include – but are not limited to – Beltaine, Belltaine, Bealtaine, Beltain, Beltine, Beltany, Bealteine, Bealtuinn, Bealltainn, Boaldyn, Lá Bealtaine, Latha Bealltainn, Cétamain (the Scotch Gaelic word for “May”), Céad Shamhain, Cétshamhainin, Mayfest, and May Day.

Colours associated with Beltane include (but, again, are not limited to) the following:

-Pink

-Coral

-Red

-Yellow

-Peach/apricot

-Orange

-Green

-Aquamarine/turquoise

-Sky blue

-Purple (particularly lavender, lilac, hydrangea, pansy, and violet shades)

-Gold

-Taupe/sand

-White

A case could be put forward that Beltane is the merriest of the sabbats. It is bathed in light, adorned with countless new blooms, and full of a positive, hope-sparking energy that is all but palpable.

And in some respects, it is for those whose hearts beat in unison with the shifting seasons.

If you would like to learn more about Beltane, please check out my previous posts focused specifically on the subject:

–12 Awesome Nature-Centered Activities for Beltane (Guest post that I wrote for the Witch of Lupine Hollow website.)

–15 Excellent Pantry Staple Foods for Beltane and Their Magickal Properties

–25 Books That Are Wonderfully Well-Suited to Beltane

Clearly, I enjoy list entries when it comes to Beltane!

Whether you observe Beltane as a Pagan sabbat or not, we can all embrace and let our creativity shine as vibrantly as the newly returned spring sunshine during these early days of May.

Many of these projects are well suited to Ostara and Litha (and even Lammas, too, for that matter), so there is little to say you must automatically whisk them off into storage come the Summer Solstice.

While the bulk of these crafts are not ones that were designed specifically for Beltane, each contains elements/themes that are squarely at home in this cheerful chapter of the year and therefore easily landed themselves on this list.

I had a stellar time scouring the web for these Beltane-appropriate projects and hope that they bring you no shortage of enjoyment and inspiration as well.

40 Fantastic Beltane Crafts, DIY Projects, and Décor Ideas for May Day

1. Green Man Mask: Embodying elements of both nature and the sacred/divine masculine, the Green Man is an ancient archetypical figure who symbolizes rebirth, new life, nature, and harmony.  

This exquisitely lovely mask looks complex, but objectively, is not that tricky to replicate yourself – especially if you have experience in working with polymer clay.

Whether you wear your completed Green Man mask, use it on your Beltane altar, incorporate it into springtime magickal workings, or set it out as a gorgeous display piece, this is one of those handmade treasures you are bound to reach for year after year.

2. Woodland Mason Jar Lights: What would a craft project roundup post be without at least one mason jar project?

But seriously, there is a good reason why this most humble and hardworking of canning supplies has become a mainstay not only in that arena, but also in the realms of home décor and crafting.

Take this beautiful illuminated jar project for example. It is easy, budget-friendly, and a cinch to put together.

And once you have done just that, you have a breathtaking way to illuminate any dark or nighttime setting. And one that would also, I cannot help but think, make for a stellar addition to just about any woodland wedding setting.

3. Knit Flower Basket Tea Cosy: I have a thing for cozies – toaster, hot water bottle, tea kettle, you name it! If it can reside in its own darling little house, so to speak, I melt faster than butter on hot toast.

This whimsical flower basket knit tea cosy is equal parts adorable and elegant, and strikes me as an excellent gift to whip up and give for Mother’s Day (which, here in North America, is coming up next month).

Plus, for all those tea witches and herbologists out here, this would be an especially lovely way to keep your favourite magickal brew warm.

4. DIY Magic Paintbrush: Clever, resourceful, and very pretty, this creative project breathes new life in old paintbrushes and can be adapted to fit any colour palette your heart desires. Why not go for a rainbow now, fall colours in a few months, and icy cool or rich reds + greens for wintertime?

5. DIY Beltane Incense Recipe: Making (typically, loose) incense yourself can be a potent and highly enjoyable way to not only deepen your connection to this beloved product, but also potentially come up with some awesome and very unique blends in the process.

Take Moody Moon’s lead and put together your own festive incense mix this Beltane season. Ensuring, of course, that it is burned in a fire-safe receptacle (such as this terrific little cast iron cauldron), as loose incense does not work well or safely with most types of stick incense holders.

(Also on this same site, be sure to check out the author’s delightfully delicious recipe for Beltane Faerie Cakes with Candied Violets.)

6. DIY Paper Bird’s Nest: The simplest of supplies are all it takes to create these sweetly beautiful paper bag bird’s nests that look like they took ages to make, but which are actually a (springtime) breeze to put together.

They are every bit as at home for Beltane/May 1^st as they are Ostara/Spring Equinox and Litha/Summer Solstice, and would also be such a fun and festive way to present small gifts to friends, relatives, neighbours, teachers, and so forth throughout the year.

7. Beautiful Beaded Wind Chimes: When I was a little girl, my paternal grandparents had several different sets of wind chimes hanging from the roofing over their deck. Each time the wind rustled through them, it sounded like pure magick to my young ears.

Decades on, I delight no less in seeing, hearing, and even making wind chimes. If you enjoy any of those things as well – or know someone who does – this versatile and very lovely beaded wind chime project may be right up your (breezy) alley.

Plus, it is a great way to use up some of that “bead soup” that so many of us crafters naturally amass over the years.

8. Garden Creatures Cross Stitch Pillow: Fun fact, cross stitch – along with papercrafting and beading/jewelry making – is one of my top three favourite crafts of all time. I have been making tiny “Xs” on aida cloth since I was five or six years old and while these days I rarely have anywhere near the time I wish I did to devote to this passion, I try to get in at least a wee bit of cross stitching annually.

If you likewise enjoy this classic form of needlework and are looking for a charming springtime pattern to stitch up, allow me to suggest this adorable garden themed one that can be turned into a pillow or left flat and framed, as you desire.

9. Lavender DIY Wands: By far one of the most popular sunny seasonal plants the world over, lavender and its telltale scent are just the thing to imbue a beautiful sense of nature into any Beltane or May Day celebration.

This lovely project utilizes lavender and ribbon to create elegant wands that you can put to work in a wide variety of ways. Use them to scent linens, group a few as a centrepiece, use them on your Beltane altar, give them as gifts, or if so inclined (they are technically wands after all) as part of your magickal springtime workings

10. Easy DIY Paper Flower May Day Wreath: While Kristy – the skilled designer of this project – uses a digital die cutting machine to create the flowers in her example here, you could easily replicate this darling May 1^st wreath using manually/electronically die cut flowers or simply hand-cut and shape several blooms from scratch.

No matter what approach you take, you are bound to create a great little wreath that can easily be left out on display the whole sunny season through.

11. Peas in a Pod Crochet Pattern: There is cute, and then there is uber kawaii. This ridiculously adorable “peas in a pod” crochet project falls squarely into the latter camp and is an awesome way to celebrate one of the season’s most delicious garden offerings.

12. A Beautiful Grass Heart Craft: Nature provides the supplies at the heart of this enchanting craft project and highlights the depth of creative possibility that resides in even the most humble of materials.

13. May Day Flower Baskets Made from Tin Cans: Rare is the time I am not enthusiastically on board with recycling or upcycling everyday items into something creative, clever, and – frequently – very handy.

This sophisticated-looking, very inexpensive project hits all of those nails on the head and leaves you with one or more pint-sized flower baskets that can be filled with the real deal, artificial blooms, small gardening tools, writing implements, or just about anything else that fits inside of them.

14. DIY Leaf Pinwheels: An excellent craft to make with little ones, these lovely pinwheels utilize real leaves to make a classic toy that can easily double as a centrepiece, home décor item, or even – if multiples are grouped together – a wonderfully unique bouquet.

15. Easy DIY May Day Baskets: The tradition of May Day baskets, or posies, stretches back for centuries, and holds no less charm and appeal in the 21^st century as it did for those of the past.

These festive hangings are a joy to make, place around your home, and give as gifts – be it for Beltane/May 1^st, Mother’s Day, birthdays, anniversaries, or any other occasion you feel they would be a natural fit for.

16. Mini DIY Butterfly Pinatas: There is no need to wait for a birthday party to bust out – and open – the pinatas – especially if they are quick and simple to make versions like this adorable mini butterfly version.

Just think, for example, how sweet and special would it be to put one of these on (or alongside) each person’s place setting at an Ostara, Easter, Beltane, Mayfest, Mother’s Day, Wedding Shower, or birthday party.

And while we associated pinatas with candy, you can technically fill them with other small items instead, too (i.e., small craft supply items, costume jewelry, or beautiful little crystals – make sure, though, that if you include anything that could easily break if dropped that you instruct your guests to open their miniature pinatas over a table or soft surface such as a sofa).

17. Pressed Flower and Leaves Bookmarks: Preserve some of the season’s loveliest little blooms and leaves with this creative, low-cost bookmark project that is perfect to do with kids or (other) adults alike.

And don’t worry, a laminator is not essential here. Clear contact paper can be used instead to deliver the same kind of long-lasting results when creating your homemade pressed leaf and flower bookmarks.

18. Ribbon Streamers: No life-sized maypole to dance around this Beltane, but still in the mood to connect with the symbolization and enjoyment alike that colourful ribbons can present?

May I suggest these vibrant DIY ribbon streamers which you can flutter in the breeze, dance with, securely hang up to flutter in the wind (though, do keep in mind the materials used may not be weatherproof, so bring them inside after your festivities are over), use as a Beltane/May Day decoration, or leave out year around an upbeat piece of rainbow hued home décor.

19. Printable Strawberry Treat Boxes: A printer and the most basic of craft supplies (white cardstock, ribbon or twine, and adhesive) are all it takes to construct these precious little strawberry treat baskets.

Use them for gift giving, send them off in lunchboxes with a yummy bite to eat and a handwritten note tucked inside, or gather several in a basket or bowl and use them as a sweet-as-the-real deal springtime home décor item.

20. Coffee Filter Dancers: Don’t you just love it when the most basic of everyday items can easily be transformed into something enchanting?

I certainly do and as such, instantly fell head-over-heels for this cute, creative, and unexpectedly elegant use of coffee filters.

Compose a handful of these pipe cleaner beauties and place them around a tabletop mini maypole or anywhere else around the house that you wish. They are enchantingly sweet and perfectly suited to springtime.

Plus, with the addition of paper wings, they could easily become faeries or angels.

21. Quaint Flower Socks Free Knitting Pattern: In a season famous for the return of open-toed shoes, knit socks might not be the first thing we think of slipping onto our feet. And yet, not every pair of knitted socks needs to be blizzard-in-January thick/warm by any means.

This sweet, #cottagecore perfect floral themed thin knit pair is a wonderful way to keep on wearing woolen socks long after the last snowman has melted for the year.

22. Make Mosquito Repellant Candles: No word of a lie, many is the year when, in the span of two weeks or less, we have gone from multiple inches of snow on the ground to all but needing to take a bath in buy spray to keep the plagues of mosquitos as bay.

For my entire life, I have been one of those people that mosquitos instantly gravitate towards. So much so, in fact, that when I was growing up some of my relatives used to state (only vaguely jokingly) that they would not get a single bite themselves so long as I was nearby.

Suffice it to say, as someone who adores the outdoors but does not want to be an all-you-can eat buffet for the local ‘skitters, I am always on the prowl for natural ways to help combat this pesky element of the sunny season.

These easy, attractive looing DIY mosquito repellant candles are just the thing to utilize from the first telltale high-pitched buzzing sound until the last all spring, summer, and autumn long.

23. How to Make Pipe Cleaner Daisy Rings: One of the crafting world’s most classic and versatile products springs (seasonally related pun intended) to life in this super fun DIY jewelry project.

Pipe cleaners are all you need to create one, two, five, or a whole garden’s worth of vibrantly hued daisy rings – that, while certainly well-suited to youngsters, can also be a blast to wear as an adult as well.

Plus, how great would creating these be as a make-and-take craft project during a child’s birthday party?

24. DIY Woodland Butterfly Wreath: There is just something about both wreaths and butterflies that suits spring every bit as wonderfully as tall stacks of strawberry shortcake.

If, like, me you can never get enough of either, this sophisticated butterfly themed wreath – which is a snap to make – is a marvellous way to inject a hearty dose of the great outdoors into your interior décor all season long. (Honestly, this project is gorgeous enough to happily leave out the whole year through, if so desired.)

25. Mini Maypoles in 3 Easy Steps: From well-known (and ever-so-creative!) Pagan blogger Moody Moons, comes this easier-than-pie approach to making darling little mini maypoles that can be used Beltane after Beltane. They are upbeat, festive, and meaningful all in the same go.

26. How to Make Lavender Bath Sachets: Themes of cleansing, purification, bathing, and water in general are tightly interwoven with Beltane. Celebrate and connect with them all the more by setting aside some time to savour a gorgeously aromatic soak in the tub care of these lovely DIY lavender bath sachets that are just about as easy to make as turning on the faucet.

27. Sweet Strawberry Painted Rocks: The immense interest in rock painting that swept through the craft world a few years ago is continuing to stay strong – and for good reason! Rock painting is fun, fairly budget-friendly, and endlessly versatile.

Case in point, these adorable little strawberry rocks. How fab would a handful of these be scattered across a table for a tea, garden, Mother’s Day, or birthday party? Or what about in a decorative bowl on the breakfast table to brighten the mornings of all who see them before heading off for their day?

(Note, while not specified in this lovely DIY tutorial post, if you want the painting on your rocks to really last over time, I suggest covering them with a layer or two of suitable clear varnish/sealant once the acrylic painting has thoroughly dried.)

28. DIY Mini Maypole Cakes: Unlike most of the other projects featured in this post, these mini bundt cakes themselves are not intended to be reused year after year.

However, so long as you do not include any perishable items on them, the cute little handmade maypoles that top them can certainly be utilized multiple times (just make sure they are cleaned of any food residue before storing them away until the following Beltane/May Day) – which is worth doing a happy dance around the nearest maypole over!

29. Crochet Magnolia Applique: This detailed how-to post guides you through all of the steps (and supplies) needed to create as many elegantly prettyu crochet magnolia appliques as your heart desires.

Use them to embellish clothing, wreaths, centerpieces, napkin rings, papercrafting projects, gift wrap, or whatever creative idea your mind can dream up!

Note: Calling all crocheters, the very talented Olena, who created this wonderful project has also made and shared scores of other crochet flower patterns on her site, many of which she links to in this post.

30. Rainbow Pinecone Fairies: Precious, colourful, and sweeter than springtime honey, these adorable little pinecone fairies are a cinch to put together, make for a great project to do with kids, and are no less at home on a bookshelf or dining room table as they would be on your Beltane altar.

31. May Day Mason Jar Gift with Free Printable Tags: Spread some festive springtime cheer to friends, neighbours, relatives, colleagues, or anyone else you fancy by surprising them with one (or more) of these super easy to make jars full of sweet springtime blooms that are both plant and holder in one.

32. Ribbon and Flower Crowns: Utilizing two items that have long been associated with Beltane/May 1^st, this enchanting craft project creates a beautiful floral crown that can be worn for years to come –  and/or put to work as a really lovely piece of seasonal décor.

33. Handmade Beaded Butterfly Brooch: Various colours of seed beads, thread, felt, and a suitable clasp pin (or even a safety pin) are all you need to bring this beguilingly lovely butterfly brooch to life.

Copy it as it sits now, or switch up the colours and/or types/sizes of tiny beads and create a whole flutter’s worth of butterflies to wear yourself, give as gifts, or pin in suitable spots around your home as whimsical seasonal décor pieces.

(Related side note: There are multiples terms in English for groups/flocks of butterflies. Two of my favourites are “flutter” and “kaleidoscope”, as both make perfect sense to me. Additional names for groups of butterflies include bivouac, flight, swarm, army, roost, rabble, and wing. Which one/ones do you like best?)

34. Flower Cross Stitch Mini Baskets: While, understandably, we tend to associate springtime baskets with Ostara and Easter, they are no less apt, charming, or beautiful at other points in the spring and summer as well.  

These sweet little cross stitch baskets are far easier to make than they may appear at first glance and can be used to hold a wide array of items from wrapped candies to spools of thread, small bouquets of blooms to servettes at a picnic, tea or garden party.

35. Decoupage Pansy Votive Holder Jars: In the past few weeks, I have suddenly felt pulled towards a craft that for all intents I have not dabbled in for many a long year at this point: decoupage.

Fittingly, I recently hit upon this delightful decoupage votive holder jar project that stars tissue paper pansies and creates a magical little light source for those delectably warm spring and summer evenings spent outdoors.

Naturally, these votive holders can be put to work inside the house as well – and you can certainly swap out the pansies for another type of flower or different type of image entirely. For example, how fabulous would these be with a swarm of fireflies depicted on them?

36. Painted Umbrella Wreath for Spring: Though the classic adage states that April showers bring May flowers, the fact of the matter is that in many corners of the world, May can be a pretty drizzly month unto itself!

Tap into the eternal association between springtime and rain showers care of this clever + beautiful wreath that utilizes an umbrella to hold your favourite seasonal blooms. Colour me smitten!

37. How to Make a Button Bouquet in a Salt & Pepper Shaker: This awesome wire craft employs a few easy-to-obtain items and creates a conversation-starting gem of a floral bouquet that will last long after the final rays of summer sunshine have gone into hibernation for another year.

(As well, you could always switch up the colour palette and create button bouquets for other holidays and special events, too. Naturally, I am envisioning a dark, gothy arrangement for Halloween and/or Valoween.)

38. DIY Homemade Rose Petal Bath Soak (4 Ways): Of all the blooms that grow across the globe, no other ranks higher for me personally than roses.

Naturally, I am far from alone in my passion for this stunning, richly aromatic flower.

This Beltane season, celebrate the purification and revitalization properties of water + cleansing by whipping up one of the four different versions of DIY rose petal bath soaks that are housed in this terrific, photo-filled how-to project post.

39. Soft Fabric Strawberries Tutorial: Easy enough to be hand sewn if you do not own (or wish to use) a sewing machine, these precious fabric strawberries add pep and colour to any setting and would be just the loveliest thing to give as a hostess, Mother’s Day, wedding shower, or other occasion gift all spring and summer long.

40. DIY Pentacle Wind Chime for Spring: Beltane and wind chimes are a perfect match in my books, as the latter utilizes melodic sounds created by the hand of nature to create an enchanting background to the sun-kissed months of spring and summer.

This awesome example can be made in whatever colours you desire, dressed up or down, and used both indoors or (in a suitable spot where the elements won’t wreck it) outdoors.

And should you be on the hunt for books about Beltane, you can find a number of them listed in my post, Your Ultimate Guide to Books on The Pagan Sabbats.

PS: If you are looking for ways to better organize your craft supplies + creative space to help make whipping up beautiful springtime projects like these all the more of an enjoyable process, pop on over to my recent post 50 Super Helpful Craft Supply and Craft Room Organizational Ideas.

Light, warmth, fertility, love, harmony, and optimism

These are common themes that run through Beltane each year. They are not the only ones though, and as with each of the sabbats, it is up to the individuals who observe them to work with the themes, concepts, and (if applicable) deities that you personally feel most connected to in your practice.

Interestingly, despite being one of the warmer sabbats in much of the Northern Hemisphere, fires – particularly bonfires – are an activity pertaining to Beltane that stretches back to the ancient inhabitants of what is today the UK, Ireland, and some of the Norse lands.

Traditionally, either on the evening prior to May 1^st or the night of Beltane itself, household candles and hearth fires would be doused or snuffed out. Inhabitants of the community would then gather together as a sizable bonfire was lit (often on a hill or other steeper vantage point).

Various rituals were often carried out in conjunction with the Beltane/May Day bonfire. One of the best known of which was driving livestock (particularly cattle) between two separate, but very closely situated, fires as an act of purification, blessing, and strength.

This tradition was documented as continuing to take place in parts of the UK and Ireland well into the 19^th century and it is thought that at least a few European farmers continue it to this very day.

Much as with livestock, humans would sometimes also walk between the fires or – assuming the flames weren’t too dangerously high – possibly even leap over fires at Beltane as well.

Torches alight with flames from these communal fires would be taken home to rekindle hearths, candles, rushlights, and oil lamps in the hopes of a bright future in the coming growing and harvesting months.

As these fire(s) burned down and it was safe to then do so, in some areas, people would anoint themselves and/or their animals with ashes. Others are believed to have also been scattered across fields and budding crops to help ensure a prosperous harvest in the coming summer and autumn months.

Acts such as these tap into the ancient practice known as sympathetic magic/magick (sometimes also referred to as imitative magic/magick).

In this case, the fires of Beltane represented the sun, while also acting as a form of ritual purification that helped to burn away negative energy, sources of harm, and lingering challenges from the previous year leading up until May 1^st.

These are all benefits that each of our lives is bound to be bettered by. Therefore, it is of little surprise that some people continue to light fires – be they roaring bonfires or the flames flickering atop tiny chime candles – upon May’s return.

Another common element of early Beltane celebrations was that of food and feasting.

Given the wonderful array of fresh produce returning to farmer’s markets and grocery store shelves (not to mention home gardens) these days, honouring the start of May with a scrumptious feast can be an excellent way to connect further with this meaningful point in the calendar.

Naturally, so can letting your creativity soar far and wide as well.

Whether you opt to follow any of the projects shared above, take a general sense of inspiration from them, or go down your own artistic path entirely, allow these revitalizing days of mid-spring (or early summer, as you please ) to fuel the proverbial bonfires of your own creative undertakings this Beltane season.

Do you view Beltane^t as being more aligned with spring or summer? Which of these festively lovely May 1^st craft ideas jump out at you most of all?

The post 40 Fantastic Beltane Crafts, DIY Projects, and Décor Ideas for May 1st appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

As someone whose paper crafts are rarely small in size or lacking in dimensional elements, I had been on the prowl for just such a product since the day I completed my first scrapbook page (in the fall of 2010). Therefore, as you might guess, I snatched it up immediately.

I got through that package fairly quickly and I was not able to locate another one afterwards.

Now, more than a decade on, the name of the company that manufactured it has long faded from my memory (as has the precise dimensions of that cardstock pack; it *might* have been in the range of 15×18 or 16×20 inches, but please do not quote me there!).

Every now and then, I still deep-dive on the ol’ interwebz, trying to see if I can find scrapbooking friendly (aka, acid-free and, ideally, lignin-free) cardstock and have yet to unearth much that fits the bill.

If having a given project be archivally safe is less of a concern, there are a few – mostly white and cream coloured – options out there. For example, Strathmore JAM Legal Cardstock comes in at 8.5 x 14 inches.

Even there, while you gain two inches on one measurement, you drop back down to letter size on the other. This means that the total dimensions of this product are not all that different from standard twelve-inch cardstock.

At the time of writing, Amazon also has some white and cream legal size cardstock options available as well. However, they are a bit lower weight than Strathmore’s offering and are the type of cardstock often employed for use as restaurant menus.

Handy as having sheets of cardstock larger than the industry standard (biggest size of) 12×12 inches can certainly be, what I wish existed even more is oversized scrapbook page protectors – and in turn, scrapbook albums themselves.

That way, I would not have to get creative all the time when it comes to how to store the layer + dimension loaded 12×12 inch scrapbook pages that I adore making.

I swear, if I ever have the incredible opportunity to either launch my own papercrafting line or partner with an existing one, oversized scrapbook albums will be one of the very first things I try to bring to market!

Right here and now, though, I do not have any cardstock (or albums) larger than 12×12 inches in my stash. Thus, when I need to go wider than that – or than the max width of a folded sheet for a card – I need to adhere two or more pieces of cardstock together.

Objectively, I don’t make too many projects that exceed standard scrapbook layout, card, and slimline card sizes, but it does happen occasionally.

Case in point, the delightfully springtime-y thank you card at the heart of today’s post.

I am huge on both being grateful and expressing gratitude, so when someone else does something kind, caring, generous, or otherwise thoughtful for me, I truly love to express my appreciation to them.

Sometimes, even if you factor in oversized slimline cards (such as my Sweetly Spooky Oversized Slimline Springoween Card), standard sizes of homemade cards just do not feel large enough in my books – especially when one is keen to present a visual representation of their abundant appreciation.

That was precisely what I was aiming for when creating this card to send along to a dear friend who showers me with kindness on a regular basis.

And thus, this oversized thank you card was born.

Charming Springtime Bloom and Bird Oversized Thank You card

The method that I generally employ when creating oversized cards with dimensions that exceed those that a single piece of 12”x12” cardstock can be folded into, is to determine what size I want my card to be and then cut matching sized pieces of out of two (or however many are required for a given project) pieces of cardstock.

So long as their sizes match up, it is not strictly necessary that you use identical sheets of cardstock for each, as one piece will be for the front of the card and the other one serves as the back of the card.

That said, I do tend to use the same cardstock for both sides. Mixing it up can be lots of fun too, though, especially with holiday season greeting cards. Think red on one side, green on the other for Christmas or black and orange for Halloween.

Once the matching pieces have been cut out, I line them up so that one is evenly placed on the other and then adhere about 1/8th to 1/4^th of an inch from the top of one piece of cardstock and attach it to the other.

You can do this with various products, such as the following:

-Glue sticks

-Liquid glue that isn’t too runny or likely to warp your cardstock

-Tap runner adhesive

-Adhesive dots and squares

-Staples (Tim Holtz’s Tiny Attacher stapler works awesomely in this context – and many others, too, of course!)

-Stitching (thread, embroidery floss, etc)

-A row of small brads or eyelets (If they are going to be visible, try to match them with the other colours used on your project.)

This is one of those rare times when I don’t reach for dimensional adhesive, however, as I usually want the top edge of my card to resemble a standard folded card top. I find that things such as dimensional glue dots/foam and hot glue can make achieving that look trickier, so typically skip them in this instance.

Utilizing this approach, you could make a card as big as 12×12 inches if you wanted! Or, theoretically, larger still if you overlapped the edges of two or more pieces of cardstock just a touch and adhered them together to achieve whatever dimensions you were after.

For my oversized springtime thank you card, two matching pieces cut from sheets of 12×12 inch cardstock were plenty.

Much like myself, the recipient of this greeting is someone who loves to live closely in tune with both nature and the seasons. As it is headed their way soon, I went full-on springtime with my choice of colours, images, and embellishments.

I have a few skeins of twisted cord trim in my papercraft stash that I have been itching to start working with. A card this big and bold seemed like the ideal time to do just that, so once I had selected the papers I would be working with here, I partnered them with a suitably coloured twisted cord.

I am delighted with how using this type of trim to create a border for my card turned out and highly suspect that I will utilize it again not only for cards, but also on things such as scrapbook pages and tags.

If you have – or wish to pick up – some twisted/braided trim of your own, I highly recommend giving this embellishment technique a go!

Just make sure that you have sturdy adhesive on hand to hold it in place. Unlike above, now is the time to bust out your trusty glue gun – or you could use a powerful liquid adhesive such as E6000 (doing so in a well-ventilated workspace, of course).

The Bo Bunny floral print piece of paper that I used behind my central bird image here had a delightfully pretty scrolling banner as part of its illustration. I utilized that as the spot for my sentiment – extending the letters a bit beyond it on the right-hand side, as that part of the banner is covered by flowers in that paper’s design.

This too was a fun technique (utilizing a printed banner image) and change of pace from stamping and/or die cutting a banner and using it in much the same capacity.

While there are numerous layers and embellishments here, I didn’t want the overall card design to read as (in my books at least! ) too busy. Plus, given that it was going to be posted out, I wanted to use materials that would hold up well for this card’s lengthy journey through the international mail system.

Despite the fact that I love it, I do not work with royal blue very often in my paper crafting. As a result, I was quite a happy camper regarding getting to do so here.

Clearly, my latest strong interest in utilizing blue in my cards (which took hold last fall and can be seen in some of my seasonal projects back then, such as this Chicly Spooky Multi-Window Halloween Ghost Shaker Card) is still going strong. I do not mind one iota.

Blue, with its countless hues, is an extremely versatile colour and one that I have rarely met a soul who did not like (with plenty of folks listing it as their fave colour, point-blank).

It is also an ideal match for spring and summertime projects, as it can call to mind everything from perfectly pristine blue skies to the twinkling waters of our favourite beaches.

For the elegant white crochet-style trim/lace that appears here in two areas, I utilized the trim as a whole for the central piece and then cut it down the middle and attached one half to each side of the bird image.

This is a terrific approach to take with suitable trims/laces when you want two different widths of the same product (and/or simply don’t want to “waste” trim by obscuring it with other layers/embellishments).

I was thrilled with how this sweet, beautiful springtime thank you card turned out and hope that the person I am giving it to will delight in its seasonal charm as well.

Products used to make an extra big springtime thank you card

-Pale peach or pink cardstock (cream or ivory could easily be used here instead, if desired)

-Royal (or cobalt) blue cardstock

-Light aqua, turquoise, or baby blue cardstock

-Raspberry pink or dark pink ink – Classic Stampin’ Spot Magenta Madness Ink from Stampin’ Up

-All printed papers used in this project – Harmony 12”x12” Paper from Bo Bunny

-Green mini alphabet stickers – Tiny Type Stickers from Cosmo Cricket

-Floral spray/sprig (from Prima; product does not have a specific name on its packaging)

-Cream/ivory coloured paper (or fabric) flower

-Pale green and grey enamel dots – Classic Enamel Dots from Forever in Time

-Twisted gold coloured trim (the one used here is from the “Crafts” line that is sold at Dollarama)

-3/4^th inch to 1+ inch wide white crochet/lace trim that can be cut in half horizontally and still have each part remain intact

-Dark pink twill ribbon – Vicki B. Wraps from Bo Bunny

-Strong adhesive such as a glue gun or E6000 to adhere the twisted trim in place

-Dimensional foam, pop dots, or similar to elevate some of your layers

-Adhesive, such as a tape runner, of your choice (I often use my Scotch Tape Glider)

NOTE: This project does not require any dies or embossing folders, so it is a great option for those who do not have – or don’t always want to use – a die cutting machine.

How to make an elegant, shabby chic bird and flower themed card

Begin by making an oversized card base from pale peach or pink cardstock using the method described above.

Once it is assembled and ready to work with, cut a piece of royal blue cardstock a little smaller than the overall size of your card front. Adhere to card front.

Cut a piece of light aqua, turquoise, or baby blue paper a whisper smaller than the previous layer. Adhere.

Next, take your twisted trim and working in small segments at a time adhere it in place to create a border right near the edges of the last layer of (blue) cardstock.

Once the adhesive has dried, cut a piece of white crochet style trim/lace and run it across the middle of your card design. Adhere in place.

Top this piece of white trim with a piece of dark pink twill ribbon (or another dark pink ribbon of your choice). Adhere to the white trim layer.

Then, using the same royal blue cardstock as earlier in the project, cut a piece that is a tiny bit smaller than your previous layer, ensuring that it fits snugly within the twisted cord frame that you just created.

Attach this piece of royal blue cardstock to the previous layer using the dimensional adhesive of your choice.

Cut a piece of Bo Bunny “Harmony” paper a little smaller than the latest royal blue cardstock layer. Ink the edges of this piece of paper with raspberry pink or dark pink ink. Adhere overtop of the trim layers.

Important note: If using the same paper that I worked with here, make sure this piece includes the scrolling banner area of the design.

Cut your central bird image out of Bo Bunny paper. Ink its edges with the same raspberry/dark pink ink used above.

Mat this central image with the same pink cardstock as your card base, followed by the same royal blue cardstock used earlier.

Cut a piece of the same white trim used before in half horizontally down the middle. Adhere even-sized pieces to both the left and right-hand sides of the mat stack you just created.

Position this (now) trim-adorned stack at a bit of an angle and adhere it down to your previous layers using dimensional adhesive.

Use tiny green alphabet sticker to spell out your sentiment on the banner portion of the Bo Bunny paper.

Attach a dimensional flower and leaf spray along the left-hand side of the central image, then attach a cream/ivory/light beige hued paper flower immediately below the spray.

Fussy cut two blue flowers and their leaves from the same Bo Bunny “Harmony” paper. Adhere one flower to the top and the other to bottom of the floral cluster area.

Adhere two different sizes of matching pale green and grey enamel dots around the corners of the bird image piece of paper, as shown.

Lastly, create a bow out of the same dark pink twill trim used earlier and adhere it (using a glue gun or other study adhesive) to the middle of the top side of the twisted gold trim layer.

Voila! One splendidly seasonal oversized card that can be used to convey your thanks or, by swapping out the sentiment for another, a wide array of different occasions.

In particular, I think this card would excel for Ostara, Easter, Beltane, Mother’s Day, baby showers, bridal showers, weddings, and birthdays. It would also be very appropriate for a thinking of you/missing you/just because card or even – perhaps forgoing the bow in that instance – as a sympathy card as well.

The birds are chirping, the blooms are blossoming

Little-by-little these glorious telltale signs of spring’s return can be heard and seen all the more with each new day.

It is safe to say that humans have been using the seasons to inspire creative works for countless centuries now.

This is wonderfully alive and well still in the 21^st-century and as crafters (and/or witches/Pagans), we know there are few easier or more enjoyable ways to celebrate a given season than to make a project inspired by it.

Much as with my recent Ostara card, this oversized thank you card taps directly into the spirit (and colour palette) of spring to convey an upbeat, beautiful sense of the season.

Spring is often the shortest-lived season in our area. Therefore, I try all the more to work with elements that express its revitalizing loveliness and ingrained optimism during those few, all too brief weeks before summer’s blazing heat comes barreling back into town.

And I am certainly not alone on that front. It is such a joy, as The Wheel of the Year turns ever onward, to see and be inspired by the seasonal projects created by many of my fellow crafters (be they paper crafters or otherwise).

A lot of folk rank spring as their favourite season. Much as with the fall, I am sure that is part of the reason why there are scores of springtime craft projects created each year as sunshine, warmth, and countless fresh flowers fill our lives again.

If you have not done so lately, I encourage you to let spring inspire some of your creative happenings.

Chances are, if you do just that, you will soon want to give Mother Nature herself an oversized thank you card in appreciation for all of the magnificent inspiration she delivers your way this season.

What is the biggest-sized card you have ever made? Do you find that springtime helps to inspire some of your creative projects as well?

The post Charming Springtime Bloom and Bird Oversized Thank You Card appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

For those in the Northern Hemisphere who follow the Wheel of the Year, the Pagan sabbat of Beltane is upon us again.

Beltane focuses heavily on concepts pertaining to light (sunlight, bonfires, etc), a thriving growing season, love and passion, new life, embracing the liminal, the realm of the fae, and making the most of the sunny months of late spring, summer, and early autumn that lay ahead.

Beltane – which is generally observed on, or right around, May 1^st – ushers in the month of May and serves as the precise halfway point on the journey to the witch’s New Year of Samhain.

As the Wheel of the Year is reversed between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres of the world, south of the equator, Beltane is observed at the end of October (when those in the north are celebrating Halloween and Samhain).

Like its fellow Pagan sabbats, Beltane is a poignant, beautiful annual event with ancient roots and plenty of modern-day observants.

Historically, Beltane was particularly observed in Ireland, Scotland, and elsewhere throughout the UK, and was one of the four primary Gaelic seasonal festivals (with the others being Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh, respectively).

However, it is important to remember that many other cultures (both inside and beyond the borders of Europe) have long standing traditions of celebrating the arrival of spring and/or summertime as well.

The traditional Gaelic celebration of Beltane predates the introduction of Christianity in Europe. As this new religion took hold across much of the European continent, Beltane gradually morphed into the celebration of Mayday.

Fortunately, though, many of the ancient traditions of Beltane lived on in Mayday activities, including dancing around maypoles and lighting bonfires.

(Speaking of maypoles, I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Fading Year’s recent posts about The Maypole Tradition in Ireland and The May Bush Tradition in Ireland, respectively.)

Interestingly, to the ancient inhabitants of Ireland (and various other parts of the world as well), Beltane was seen as the start of summer, not the midway point of spring.

Today, some modern Pagans, Wiccans and witches view Beltane in the same light, with others opting to celebrate it as the final sabbat of spring.

Interestingly, it is because Beltane historically served as a marker for the start of summer in some areas that one of Litha’s alternative names was, and still is, Midsummer (as, in these traditions, the Summer Solstice in June was/is seen as being part way through the summer season).

Of all the Pagan sabbats, Beltane is arguably the one most closely linked to concepts of (romantic) love, lust, and sexuality. Though, importantly, it is not essential to engage or connect with these themes or archetypes, if they do not resonate with you personally.

For some who follow earth-based paths, Beltane symbols the union (aka, handfasting) of the God and Goddess coming together each spring/summer.

Beltane is a marvellously apt time of the year to shift, or further concentrate, our attention on nature, green magick, herbology, fire and candle magick, seasonal kitchen witchcraft, the wild kingdom (domestic animals very much included), faeries, concepts of union and/or family, folklore and customs, and ways to help create a brighter future for ourselves.

If you’d like to learn more about some of the history, traditions, and foods associated with Beltane, be sure to check out my post 15 Excellent Pantry Staple Foods for Beltane and Their Magickal Properties.

Books about Beltane

Over the years, a handful of books have been written specifically about Beltane.

However, this number is relatively small and a list housing just those Beltane books alone would have but a scant few entries on it.

To flesh out such as list, what I’ve done is to round up a selection of 25 books pertaining to subjects that are especially well suited to Beltane and the sunny months ahead.

The following assortment of books delves into topics such as Celtic mythology, foraging, faery magick, and even witchy cocktails!

A fair number of these books pertain to nature, as the start of May is often one of the most pleasant and enjoyable times of the year to spend outdoors.

I sincerely understand, however, that not everyone is head-over-heels for the great outdoors, is able to safely access nature (be it for health or other reasons), nor lives in an area with a rich natural landscape.

If nature isn’t (or is currently unable to be, for whatever reason), your jam, fear not. There are other Beltane related books on this list that you may connect with instead.

As well, if you do love nature, but aren’t able to engage with it in all the ways you may like, remember that it is sometimes possible to connect with the great outdoors through various methods other than literally going outside.

These include such things as the types of items we include on our altars, working with crystals, magickal correspondences, visualizations, guided meditations, hedgeriding, connecting and working with animal spirit guides, arts and crafts, cooking and eating, stargazing, and by surrounding ourselves with (or wearing) nature-related items.

While some of the following books are, unquestionably, penned from a Pagan/Wiccan/witchcraft focused perspective, many are either more broadly spiritual or have little to no focus on anything pertaining to spirituality.

As such, I hope that both fellow Pagans and witches, as well as many of my other (non-Pagan/witchy) readers will enjoy the 25 Beltane related books showcased in this alphabetically arranged list.

25 books that are wonderfully well-suited to Beltane

Beltane: Rituals, Recipes, & Lore for May Day

Author: Melanie Marquis

Publisher: Llewellyn

From Llewellyn’s popular, informative, and highly enjoyable eight-part Sabbat Essentials series comes this in-depth look at Beltane.

In Beltane: Rituals, Recipes, & Lore for May Day readers are guided through the history of Beltane, as well presented with many different as modern ways to celebrate, honour, and delight in the sabbat that kicks off May and the sunny season ahead.

These include, but are not limited to, Beltane rituals, Beltane recipes, Beltane spells, Beltane correspondences, Beltane prayers, and Beltane divination.

As one of the few books on the market today that focuses solely on Beltane, this is a title you will want to add to your collection (or borrow from the library) if you’re keen to expand your knowledge of Beltane or just want to read up more on this joyful sabbat.

Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Beltane to Mabon

Author: Ashleen O’Gaea

Publisher: Llewellyn

One of a two-part series of books released in the 2000s by renowned Pagan author Ashleen O’Gaea, Celebrating the Seasons of Life: Beltane to Mabon delves into the sabbats that comprise the warmer half of the year and presents readers with a plethora of ideas that can be done as solitary witches or in groups, inside or outdoors, with children, and even, in some instances, with non-Pagans.

I love the idea this series. The concept of approaching the sabbats as belonging to either the warm or cold half of the year aligns with my own practices – just as I know it does with those of many of my fellow witches, Wiccans, and Pagans as well.

Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales

Illustrated by: Kate Forrester

Publisher: Chronicle Books

In the instantly engaging pages of Celtic Tales: Fairy Tales and Stories of Enchantment from Ireland, Scotland, Brittany, and Wales one finds sixteen stories that were translated and recorded by 19th and 20th folklorists, all presented alongside marvellous illustrations by Kate Forrester.

As a Gaelic/Celtic festival, Beltane is a superb time to delve into reading about some of Ireland and the UK’s most fascinating and compelling traditional tales of wonder, fantasy, and more than a wee bit of magick!

Crafting with Nature: Simple Creations Using Things You Grow or Gather

Author: Amy Renea

Publisher: Page Street Publishing Co.

If, like me, you are one of those people who always seem to come home from being outdoors with your pockets overflowing with found wild treasures, or who delights in growing plants and herbs to use you in your handmade creations, then this book is sure to strike a chord with you.

Crafting with Nature guides readers through 58 detailed tutorials and 44 quick-and-easy inspiration ideas, all of which utilize found or grown natural products to create a wide array of crafts that are every bit as practical and fun to make as they are beautiful.

Why not take a walk this Beltane, or pop out to your garden, and see what kinds of wildcrafted treasures you can find to make some of the projects in Crafting with Nature?

Cross Stitch for the Earth: 20 Designs to Cherish

Author: Emma Congdon

Publisher: David & Charles

As the (Western Hemisphere) sabbat that falls closest to Earth Day, Beltane is a superb occasion to marry witchery and Paganism all the more with subjects pertaining to the health, preservation, conservation, and future of our planet.

If you’re a fellow cross stitcher, one way you may wish to honour Mother Nature is with your stitchery.

While a cross stitch design is rather unlikely to save the planet unto itself, the important themes and messages conveyed in the 20 different charts housed in Cross Stitch for the Earth are beautiful, poignant reminders of just how vital it is that we act as responsible, loving stewards of our one and only planet.

Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk

Author: Morgan Daimler

Publisher: Moon Books

While, by no means, exclusive to the Emerald Isle, it’s safe to say that Ireland has one of the one of the richest histories in the world when it comes to faeries (fairies).

In Fairies: A Guide to the Celtic Fair Folk, author Morgan Daimler delves deep into the complex relationship between fairies and humans throughout the history of Celtic culture, while also exploring who these otherworldly beings are and how we can actively engage with them in the modern era.

In my opinion, few books are better suited to Beltane than this title, which combines Celtic history and fairies – two points with far-reaching ties to May 1^st – together in one thoroughly engaging read.

(If the subject of fairies resonates with you, I highly recommend checking A New Dictionary of Fairies: A 21^st Century Exploration of Celtic and Related Western European Fairies by the same author.)

Living the Faery Life: A Guide to Connecting with the Magic, Power and Joy of the Enchanted Realm

Author: Kac Young, PhD

Publisher: Mango Media

One of the most recent books on faery magick and spirituality to be released, Living the Faery Life is an enchanting, informative look at the world of the fae as approached through an array of different lenses, such as Paganism, Wicca, and even that of non-believers in faeries.

Many who do believe in the fae, or wish to honour the spiritual significance of the archetypes and history they represent, chose to incorporate working with these magickal beings into Beltane rituals, offerings, alters, spellwork and so forth.

 As such, a book on Faery Magic is an especially apt read as we head into the beating heart of spring and all the wonderous things – both seen and unseen – that it houses.

Nature Art Workshop: Tips, Techniques, and Step-by-Step Projects for Creating Nature Inspired Art

Authors: Allison Hetzell, Mikko Sumulong, Katie Brooks, and Sarah Lorraine Edwards

Publisher: Walter Foster Publishing

In Nature Art Workshop, four wonderfully talented artists show readers how to prepare and create a wide range of hands-on craft projects featuring manmade and natural components.

Amongst the projects in this gorgeous book, one finds Beltane perfect ideas such as a fresh floral crown and flower-adorned candles, as well as how to paint everything from stones to leaves, feathers to shells.

Many of these projects are not only a great fit for Beltane and the other sabbats (and esbats), but for use on one’s altars and in various magickal workings as well.

100 Things to See in the Night Sky: From Plants to Satellites to Meteors and Constellations, Your Guide to Stargazing

Author: Dean Regas

Publisher: Adams Media

As the weather warms up again and nighttime temperatures are apt to be a lot more bearable, venturing outside to explore the evening sky can be an enjoyable and meaningful way to celebrate both Beltane and springtime as a whole.

If you’re keen to search the heavens for exciting new (to you) celestial discoveries, or to better identify what you spy while gazing upwards, 100 Things to See in the Night Sky is here to help.

This terrific field guide provides information on objects – both natural and manmade – that you can see in the sky at night, with or without a telescope. As some stargazing guides are geared towards being used with a telescope, it is a welcome treat to find that many of the entries in this book can be spotted without any special equipment being needed.

Rupert’s Tale: The Wheel of the Year – Beltane, Litha, Lammas, and Mabon

Author: Kyrja

Publisher: Schiffer

In this sweet, beautifully illustrated children’s book, a curious little bunny named Rupert sets out to learn why some people are gathering in the woods where he lives to celebrate at certain times of the year. As he does so, Rupert encounters woodland creatures and fairies who help to teach him about The Wheel of the Year.

Rupert’s Tale is a charming book about the sabbats that comprise warmer months and which serves as an excellent introduction (or further connection to) the sabbats for youngsters. Rest assured though, that its lovely premise, delightful illustrations, and Pagan message will appeal to plenty of adults as well.

The Perfect Afternoon Tea Recipe Book: More than 200 Classic Recipes for Every Kind of Traditional Teatime Treat

Authors: Anthony Wild and Carol Pastor

Publisher: Lorenz Books

It could arguably be said no other (non-alcoholic) drink is more closely linked to modern-day witchery than tea. Whether in true tea or tisane form, we witchy souls often gravitate towards teas and many enjoy making their own magickal blends from scratch or further enhance store-bought options.

Couple that point with the return of balmy weather, which often calls for lighter fare than the (sometimes) rich, heavy meals of the colder months, and one cannot help but find themselves in the mood for a tea party.

Now granted, during these challenging ongoing pandemic times, tea parties with lengthy guest lists may not be feasible, but a party can be any size – one person very much included.

Whether with a few loved ones, on your own, or for a much larger group, holding a tea party – or simply treating yourself to a traditional afternoon teatime spread – can be a great joy and a marvellous excuse to indulge in some extra special culinary delights.

If you are on the prowl for an excellent selection of teatime perfect recipes, then the photo-filled gem that is The Perfect Afternoon Tea Recipe Book is sure to be of abundant service and inspiration alike.

The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from Basket to Blanket

Authors: Marnie Hanel, Jen Stevenson, and Andrea Slonecker

Publisher: Artisan

A bevy of fantastic watercolour illustrations partners up with a charming and very tasty looking selection of outdoor dining recipes in The Picnic: Recipes and Inspiration from Basket to Blanket.

In addition to scrumptious picnic menu ideas, this book provides readers with handy tip pertaining to planning a successful outdoor get-together, 99 uses for mason jars, lawn game info, and more – all of which are here to help you have some of the best alfresco dining experiences of your life.

Beltane is a superb time to embrace the picnic lifestyle. Why not pack up a basket or hamper of your favourite seasonal eats (imbued with kitchen witchery if so desired) and connect with nature as you toast to the return of picnic season?

In doing so, you may wish to bring an offering or two to leave for the local spirits or fae of the area where you’re picnicking.

(I should note that if – due to the pandemic or any other reason – outdoor picnics are not possible, you can still embrace the picnic spirit with a festive indoor meal instead. Red gingham tablecloth optional, but definitely a fun touch. )

Sing a Song of Seasons: A Nature Poem for Each Day of the Year

Editor: Fiona Waters

Publisher: Nosy Crow

There are certain books that are true works of art, Sing a Song of Seasons is one of them.

I own this book and have read it cover to cover multiple times, savouring and finding inspiration in every line of prose and each enchantingly pretty illustration (by artist Frann Preston-Gannon) that is houses.

This hefty tomb combines serene nature centered illustrations with 366 different poems – one for each day of the year (leap year include) – from some of the most gifted poets to ever pen a verse.

While not a Pagan or witchery book, I am delighted to report that the selection of springtime poems in Sing a Song of Seasons suit Beltane to a tee, just as those centred around the other seasons do for the remaining seven sabbats in The Wheel of the Year.

If you want to treat yourself or someone you care about to an instant treasure of an art-meets-poetry book, this stellar title is an ideal choice.

The Art of Edible Flowers: Recipes and Ideas for Floral Salads, Drinks, Desserts, and More

Author: Rebecca Sullivan

Publisher: Kyle Books

At just 80 pages, The Art of Edible Flowers is not a huge book. However, what it may lack in size, this book more than makes up for via the gorgeous photos and diverse, creative edible flower recipes that it contains.

Happily, gardens are often out in full bloom at Beltane and many grocery stores, health food stores, and specialty food stores now sell a selection of edible flowers (if you cannot find any in your area, try contacting a local florist to see if they sell food-grade flowers or know where you can source some from).

With recipes such as Jasmine and Green Tea Ice Cream (yum!) and Artichoke Flower with Borage Butter, this beautiful cookbook is apt to bring out the springtime kitchen witch in all of us!

The Backyard Herbal Apothecary: Effective Medicinal Remedies Using Commonly Found Herbs & Plants

Author: Devon Young

Publisher: Page Street Publishing

From Nitty Gritty Life blog founder Devon Young comes this recently released (2019) look at the diverse and appealing practical world of creating herbal medicinal remedies with common herbs and plants.

These are not rare, exotic, or exceedingly hard to find plants and herbs, but rather ones that can often either be grown at home and/or readily sourced in some natural settings.

Herbal medicine is the original medicine, and it is no surprise that as more and more people embrace traditional approaches to living and healing, we have seen a surge in the popularity of herbalism as of late.

If you’re looking to deepen your knowledge on the subject or widen your repertoire of herbal medicines this spring (or anytime!), then The Backyard Herbal Apothecary is here to help you do the job.

The Book of Candle Magic: Candle Spell Secrets to Change Your Life

Author: Madame Pamita

Publisher: Llewellyn

One of the most prevalent traditions and continuing themes of Beltane is that of light, sunshine, and fire, each of which celebrates the life-giving and sustaining blessing that is the returning spring/summer sunshine (and the harvest season it will ultimately help to bring into being).

As such, Beltane is an especially awesome time to work candle magick.

Enter, The Book of Candle Magic, a 2020 release that is teeming with candle magick related advice and tutorials, including how to make your own candles, how to perform candle readings, and various other ways you can weave candles into your magickal practices.

Whether at Beltane or any other point in the year, candle magick is one the most accessible and (I would personally argue) effective ways forms of witchcraft. As such, it certainly does not hurt to have a great body of knowledge on the subject like this book on hand when performing candle workings.

The Hidden Life of Trees: The Illustrated Edition

Author: Peter Wohlleben

Publisher: Greystone Books

This book is the abridged, photo-filled edition of author Peter Wohlleben’s beloved bestseller, The Hidden Life of Trees.

In The Hidden Life of Trees: The Illustrated Edition, readers are treated to some of this modern science writing classic’s highlights, along with a dreamily gorgeous selection of nature photographs that highlight Wohlleben’s desire to showcase the importance, majesty, interconnected relationships between, and diversity of, trees all the more.

With nature springing to life again, Beltane (and May in general) is an excellent time to not only connect with trees in person, but to deepen our knowledge surrounding these indespensible natural entities that help to sustain life on this planet as we know it.

The New Wildcrafted Cuisine: Exploring the Exotic Gastronomy of Local Terroir

Author: Pascal Baudar

Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing

While humans have been trading and bartering with foodstuffs for many thousands of years now, originally, everything we ate as a species was either gathered, caught, or hunted for locally.

The sabbats are an especially well-suited time to look to this important aspect of our collective past and to connect all the more with the foods of our own immediate area.

In The New Wildcrafted Cuisine, wild food researcher Pascal Baudar uses the state of California, where he resides, to highlight a multitude of recipes featuring foods that are indigenous to this area of the world. In doing so, he inspires readers to look to their own backyards (perhaps quite literally in some cases) so as to see what foods and plants grown in their region can likewise be utilized and savoured throughout the year.

The Reason for Flowers: Their History, Culture, Biology, and How They Change Our Lives

Author: Stephen Buchmann

Publisher: Scribner

In the Northern Hemisphere, flowers and Beltane go hand-in-hand in many areas.

Thousands upon thousands of different flowers and flowering plants exist throughout the world. They have an omnipresent role in many of our lives and have served as everything from creative muse to healing medicine for humanity since time immemorial.

However, despite this fact, there is much we do not yet know or fully understand about how flowers function in nature, nor the complete extent to which life on this planet relies on them.

In The Reason for Flowers, pollination ecologist Stephen Buchmann takes on an intriguing, fact filled journey though the world of flowers and some of the many diverse ways that humans have long utilized these crucial natural treasures.

This book is just the ticket if you love flowers, are a gardener, work with flowers in a magickal setting, or simply enjoy a fascinating science-based read.

The Sacred Herbs of Spring: Magical, Healing, and Edible Plants to Celebrate Beltaine

Author: Ellen Evert Hopman

Publisher: Destiny Books

From the author of the much adored The Sacred Herbs of Samhain, comes the equally terrific book, The Sacred Herbs of Spring.

In this title, Ellen Evert Hopman explores not only the subject of Beltane (Beltaine) itself, but also details over 90 different plants and trees that can be harvest and utilized for magickal purposes at Beltane.

As well, readers are treated to instructions on how to perform various rituals that honour the traditional gods and goddesses of spring, in addition to information pertaining to springtime herbs that are useful for everything from working with faeries and elves to embarking on (hedgeriding) journeys to the Otherworld.

The Secret World of Weather: How to Read Signs in Every Cloud, Breeze, Hill, Street, Plant, Animal, and Dewdrop

Author: Tristan Gooley

Publisher: The Experiment

These days, if we want to know what sort of mood the weather is likely to be in, many of us turn to an app on our phone or flip on the Weather Network.

Yet, for nearly all of human history, the weather was read, understood, forecasted, and worked with via traditional means and methods involving the natural landscape that people lived. Approaches to, and knowledge of, the weather were passed down generationally and/or within communities and were often vital to the survival of humans, animals, and crops alike.

If you’ve ever had a hankering to better learn how to interpret and understand the weather without the aid of fancy modern devices, then The Secret World of Weather is for you.

Given the often precarious nature of the weather in mid-spring (sunny one moment, torrential rain the next, windy a few minutes later… ), Beltane is a fantastic time to hone your weather reading abilities – as well as to work weather magick.

This book doesn’t focus on the latter, but it will certainly help you with the former and in the process you will likely be able to apply what you learn about reading nature’s signs to help you in your magickal weather workings.

The Skillful Forger: Essential Techniques for Responsible Foraging and Making the Most of Your Wild Edibles

Author: Leda Meredith

Publisher: Roost Books

As the natural world bursts forth with a slew of diverse and often highly delicious crops once more, you may be feeling the urge to forage.

Whether you’re new to this ancient art or have been foraging with the best of them for quite some time already, Leda Meredith’s excellent book, The Skillful Forger, is here to inform and inspire you as you venture forth to gather some of nature’s bounty for your own table (or other uses).

Beyond serving merely as a foraging identification guide, this book places an emphasis on the importance of practicing sustainable harvesting techniques, while also providing advice on how to gather, preserve, and prepare the foraged foods that you collect.

Whether for kitchen witchery, herbology, spellwork, or simply to feed yourself and your loved ones, foraging (of which I am a long-time practitioner myself) can be a beneficial, meaningful, practical, and spiritually rewarding activity.

What It’s Like to Be a Bird: What Birds Are Doing and Why – From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing

Author: David Allen Sibley

Publisher: Random House of Canada

In this delightful exploration of the life and inner workings of the bird kingdom, renowned avian expert David Allen Sibley answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the bird kingdom, covering more than two hundred species in the process.

Not only will you find a plethora of information about birds in What It’s Like to Be a Bird, but you’ll also be treated over 330 different bird illustrations by the author himself.

The natural world is alive and buzzing at Beltane, with birds being one of the most commonly seen and heard animals in our environments. Why not celebrate our winged friends all the more this spring by reading up on what it’s like to live the life of a bird?

Wild Magic: Celtic Folk Traditions for the Solitary Practitioner

Author: Danu Forest

Publisher: Llewellyn

Whether you practice Celtic magick, are yearning to do so, or simply wish to expand your knowledge on the subject, Wild Magic: Celtic Folk Traditions for the Solitary Practitioner is the book for you.

A detailed, fascinating title, this book guides readers on way to approach magick and witchery from a traditional Celtic perspective, delving into such areas as Celtic faerie faith, deepening your connection to the divine in nature, ancestor work, and connecting with the spirits of the land (aka, the genius loci).

In addition, Wild Magic explores areas such as ley lines and dragon lines, spirit paths, spellwork, wildcrafting, and no shortage of folk traditions from Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

As a book about Celtic magick, this informative and enchanting title is an ideal reading choice for the traditional Gaelic festival of Beltane.  

WitchCraft Cocktails: 70 Seasonal Drinks Infused with Magic and Ritual

Author: Julia Halina Hadas

Publisher: Adams Media

If you enjoy a good tipple and are keen to weave some potent kitchen witchery into your mixed drinks, then WitchCraft Cocktails – which is bursting with breathtaking food photography – might be just the ticket.

Each of the sabbats is a joyous time in its own right. Arguably, however, some have an inherently lighter and more upbeat note to them.

Beltane leads the pack on that front and is a superb time, if one drinks, to raise a glass to this sacred day – and all the more so if you have imbued your glass with one of the magickal workings laid out in this delightful book.

Joyful Beltane wishes!

Which of these Beltane perfect books leaps out at you?

What are some of your favourite seasonal topics to read about in the spring?

Like many a witchy soul, I lap up books like it’s going out of style and know that I am far from alone on that front. Scores of Pagans, Wiccans, and witches – as well as countless other people around the globe – love reading and expanding their knowledge on an array of different subjects.

I hope that the selection of books highlighted in this post will introduce you to some new titles and give you plenty of inspiration and enjoyment both for Beltane 2021 and many future Maydays to come!

Wishing you a safe, serene, sunny, and splendidly blessed Beltane season, dear friends!

PS: If you are interested in having this list turn into the first in an ongoing series of posts devoted to books that are a great match for each of the eight different Pagan sabbats, please let me know in the comment section below.

The post 25 Books That Are Wonderfully Well-Suited to Beltane appeared first on Witchcrafted Life.

Historically, Beltane has often marked the start of the light half of the year, which is characterized by such things as abundant sunlight, warmth, and a wide variety of fresh crops.

This light-filled half will conclude, from a sabbat standpoint, with Samhain at the end of October, from which point onward the world will experience the darker half of the year. Until, in a dance that has played out since time immemorial, the cycle begins anew once more the following Beltane.

For those north of the equator (south of this point, the seasons – and, optionally, Wheel of the Year – are experienced in reverse order to those in the northern hemisphere), May and June are often a gloriously lovely time.

All of nature has come out of hibernation, the sky rivals tropical seas with the depth of its azure tones, the grass is verdant, lush and inviting to our sandal clad feet, and some of the most delicious fresh food of the entire year is once again in season.

This year, however, while all of those same things still ring true, the Covid-19 pandemic and continued need to remain in self-isolation, coupled with global food chain and supply shortages of certain products means that popping down to the nearest grocery store or farmer’s market for fresh produce may not be possible at present

Even if our local supermarkets are open, there’s no guarantee that the items we’re after will be on their shelves. Nor that we’ll be in a position – be it due to health, finances, or safety – to reach the stores nearest to us in the first place.

I’m a huge proponent of eating fresh, shopping locally, and (if feasible and so desired) growing some of your own food.

Tough times alter our lives, however. The types and availability of food that we presently have available to us is currently one of the ways in which many people are experiencing the impacts of this devastating global pandemic.

In today’s post, we are going to explore some of the foods that are closely associated with Beltane coupled with ways to make the most of those foods in store cupboard form, as that is what an ever-increasing number of us are working with for our daily menus and sabbat meals alike.

What foods are traditionally associated with Beltane?

Beltane is the Celtic May Day festival whose roots stretch far back in history, to a time of a primarily agrarian-based society the predated the industrial revolutions by hundreds upon hundreds of years.

It is one of the four traditional Celtic/Gaelic festivals that helped to delineate the seasons for these early people (the others were Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh/Lammas, respectively).

Beltane was heavily associated with the start of the summer pastoral season, fresh produce, and energy filled life, plus fiery passion, and was seen to be a time when – much as at Samhain – the veil between the worlds thinned.

The ancient Celts were certainly not the only culture to celebrate, honour and/or worship the start of May, but it is largely through their observance of this annual happening that we’ve derived much of our 21^st century interpretation of Beltane. Influences from other early European cultures, including the Norse and the Germanic peoples can be felt as well.

As this springtime sabbat is typically observed on, or right around, May 1^st, the foods that have traditionally been associated with Beltane tend to be those that are at are in season at that point in the spring.

These include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Asparagus

-Artichokes

-Baby/new potatoes

-Bannock

-Blueberries

-Carrots

-Celery

-Dairy products (vegetarians, vegans, and those who do not otherwise consume animal milk products can easily swap in dairy alternatives instead)

-Garlic (as well as wild garlic)

-Green beans

-Green peas

-Edible springtime flowers such as honeysuckle, lilacs, jasmine, roses, and violets

*IMPORTANT NOTE* Only Jasminum officinale is edible. All other jasmine species, including “false jasmine” are poisonous. Please see this page on edible flowers for more details.

-Honey

-Leeks

-Lemons

-Lettuce

-May Wine (alcoholic or non-alcoholic versions; here is a lovely May Wine recipe that you may enjoy)

-Oatcakes

-Radishes

-Ramps (a species of wild onions)

-Roses (and rose water)

-Rhubarb (in some areas, in others it may be ready later in the summer)

-Scones

-Spinach

-Spring onions

-Strawberries

-Swiss chard

-Various herbs such as chives, dill, lavender, lemon balm, rosemary, tarragon, and thyme

-Watercress

Importantly, it should be noted that the ancients did not have had access to all of these foods at the same time and in the same place. (Ye olde Whole Foods Market was definitely not a thing yet! )

However, chances are that of those they were able to harvest or otherwise obtain (such as through trading), they would likely have included a variety of these healthy offerings into their diet during the spring and early summer months.

Some of the above listed foods are going to be explored in further detail below, complete with their respective magickal correspondences.

Are fresh foods a better choice for Beltane?

While you might prefer the taste or texture of fresh versions of certain foods, from a magickal standpoint, I do not personally believe that canned, tinned, frozen, dehydrated, or otherwise non-perishable forms of food are automatically less effective, magickal, or meaningful (especially if little to no preservatives or artificial ingredients have been added to them).

You can impart, bless, charge, or otherwise imbue anything that you eat or work with in your practice with the energy and intent of your choosing.

Doing so should help to ensure that foods with far off expiration dates are just as useful and beneficial in your workings (and daily meals) as those that were just plucked from the field or tree.

Objectively, while some foods are seen as being fairly common non-perishable pantry or store cupboard staples, I have no way of knowing what you have on hand and/or may readily have access to at present.

I encourage you to keep in mind as you continue reading from this point onward, that this is not a checklist. It is totally okay if you do not currently have some or even all of these different foods at your house.

Necessity is the mother of invention and of substitution. As lovely as it is to try and eat foods that are traditionally in season – or otherwise plentifully available – at the time of each of the sabbats, if that isn’t feasible for you, please try not to worry about it.

As an alternative, you could aim instead to focus more on the colour of your food. For example, luscious greens and sunny yellows, pretty reds and elegant purples to mirror and correspond to the hues that we see in abundant in the natural world during the month of May.

As well, for the purpose of keeping things concise, I have used the terms “pantry” and “store cupboard” quite liberally here, extending them to cover various foods that you may have in canned, tinned, packaged, frozen or otherwise non-perishable form.

Naturally, if you currently have ready access to the fresh versions of these foods and wish to enjoy them during the Beltane season, by all means do so.

That said, we witchy folk are nothing if not resourceful and know that making the best of what we have at our disposal right now is one of the keys to a happier, more content, and abundantly blessed life and magickal practice alike – so reach for those store cupboard staples!

15 foods for Beltane and their magickal correspondences

1. Asparagus: Magickal properties for asparagus pertain in no small part to lust, sex, power, and fertility – making it one of the most well-suited foods to tuck into at Beltane. In addition, asparagus is linked magickally to cleansing, purifying, healing, water magick, money magick, fortitude, keeping a calm head, standing up for yourself and others, boldness, and masculine energy.

Common non-perishable forms of asparagus include frozen, pickled, and canned/tinned.

2. Artichokes: Magickal properties for artichokes tend to gravitate heavily towards matters of shielding and protection, as well as areas of personal growth, getting to the heart of the matter, letting your inner desires shine or manifest, exposing the truth, boldness, honesty, caring for others, and love of all sorts.

Common non-perishable forms of artichokes include frozen, pickled, and canned/tinned.

3. Blueberries: Magickal properties for blueberries abound – much like the healthy properties of these powerhouse fruits. Turn to blueberry magick for protection (including of pets and other animals, as well as houses and property protection), the moon, feminine energy, health, healing, restoration, aura cleansing and strengthening, divination, faeries, sweetness, vitality, completion (of projects, goals, tasks, etc), shielding and protecting from energy vampires and psychic attacks, and optimism.

Common non-perishable forms of blueberries include frozen, dehydrated, powdered, freeze-dried, syrups, jams, jellies, preserves, and canned/tinned.

4. Carrots: Magickal properties for carrots – by far one of the most iconic and beloved of springtime vegetables – include such things as grounding, healing, protection, desire, sexuality, fertility, seeing things for what they truly are, planting seeds of your desires, positivity and fun, sweetness, healing, opening your third eye, dreams, visions, youthfulness, and playfulness.

Common non-perishable forms of carrots include frozen, dehydrated, freeze-dried, jams, preserved in sweet syrups, relishes, pickled, and canned/tinned.

5. Celery: Magickal properties for celery include those that can help with a number of important areas of our lives, including mental clarity, releasing, banishing, concentration, psychic awareness and gifts, soothing, helping to pass or speed along unwanted situations, serenity, calming, weight related matters, balance and harmony, unearthing the truth, and (much like asparagus) water workings and rituals.

Common non-perishable forms of celery include frozen, dehydrated, celery salt, celery seeds, and canned/tinned.

6. Garlic: Magickal properties for garlic, one of the world’s most frequently used and adored culinary ingredients, are quite abundant and pertain to matters such as protection, luck, distancing yourself from unwanted energies and individuals, health, personal growth, masculinity, strength inclusion in witch jars, spell jars, mojo bags, and poppets; home protection, cleansing, purification, ancestor work, spell breaking, hex and curse breaking, working at the crossroads, and nighttime magick.

Common non-perishable forms of garlic include minced and crushed forms of garlic sold in jars, frozen, freeze dried, garlic salt, garlic powder, garlic paste, pickled, and canned/tinned.

7. Green Beans: Magickal properties for green beans are plentiful – much like the culinary applications for perineal springtime vegetables. Matters of divination, money, creativity, new starts, standing tall (standing up for yourself), insight, wisdom, communication, clarity, personal space, getting out of ruts, hopefulness, creativity, garden and the fae are some of the key areas where green beans can help your magickal spells and other witchy workings. (Note, these magickal properties apply to yellow wax beans as well.)

Common non-perishable forms of green beans include frozen, freeze-dried, pickled, and canned/tinned.

8. Green Peas: Magickal properties for green peas (including sugar snap peas) share points in common with those of green beans, as well as some of their own special strengths. Turn to green pea magick when you want to focus on areas relating to new growth, love, traditions, family matters, ancestor work, history, gardening, environmental protection, Gaia, strength, grounding, acceptance, serenity, and money matters.

Common non-perishable forms of green peas include frozen, freeze-dried, canned/tinned, and green pea snack crisps.

9. Honey: Magickal properties for honey flow as abundantly and beautifully as this ancient, much adored culinary treasure. Work with honey in your spells, rituals, offerings and other magickal activities that pertain to love, happiness, peace, serenity, creativity, femininity, fertility, healing, self care, vital energy, binding, friendships, reaching amicable outcomes, traditions, family, celebrating both life and death (including as an offering at cemeteries, launching new project and businesses, sweetness, kindness, romance, longevity, the sun, in hoodoo honey jars, and as an offering to a wide array of gods, goddesses, and spirit allies.

Most forms of honey, assuming they are properly stored are inherently long-lasting. If needed, honey can be frozen and thawed for later use (or used straight from its frozen form in some types of recipes).

10. Lemons: Magickal properties for lemons are generally upbeat and sunny, reminding one of the vibrant hue of this beloved citrus fruit. Make lemons your magickal main squeeze when you want to focus on spells, rituals, offerings and other witchy workings pertaining to awareness, spirituality, clarity, purification, cleansing, rejuvenation, happiness, compassion, prosperity, warm and friendly relationships, friendship, femininity, fertility, children, auras, lightness of being, dreams, breaking negative ties, optimism, and the moon. (And, my fellow Cancers may enjoy knowing that lemons are closely associated with our astrological sign, much as it is with that of Pisces.)

Common non-perishable forms of lemons include frozen, freeze-dried, dehydrated, preserved, dried lemon peel, lemon extract, lemon juice, lemon concentrate, lemon pepper, jams, marmalades, and candied lemon peel.

11. Oats: Magickal properties for oats stretch far back into the past and oats remain one of the most versatile and useful magickal ingredients you can keep in your kitchen or witchy ingredient cabinet to this day. Use oats in your magickal workings when you’re focusing on areas of happiness, health, tradition, stability, fertility, ancestor work, family matters, fortitude, endurance, persistence, personal change, meditation, house and home, beauty, friendship, faithfulness, good luck, stick-to-itiveness, comfort, healing, respect, spiritual growth, venturing out into the world, education, employment, and achieving balance in your life.

Most varieties of oats, assuming they are properly stored are inherently long-lasting. Some of the most common forms of oats include oatmeal, quick cooking oats, old-fashioned oats, rolled oats, steel-cut oats, oat flour, oatbreads, oatcakes, oat crackers, oat based breakfast cereals, granola, musali, granola bars, British flapjacks, oatmeal cookies, and oat milk.

12. Rosemary: Magickal properties for rosemary abound and this beautiful herb is one that should have a standing spot in both your magickal workings and your kitchen. Use rosemary when you’re focusing on areas pertaining to love, attraction, spicing up your life, the solar plexus, dream work, warding off nightmares, memories, loyalty, sleep, strength, kitchen witchery, home blessings and protection, family, jealousy, bonding, purification, divination, protection from the evil eye, cleaning your space, offerings, the dead, hedge riding, spirits, ancient history, creativity, strengthening relationships, rejuvenation, bathing, and the element of air.

Common non-perishable forms of rosemary include dried, frozen, rosemary paste, rosemary-infused oils, and rosemary salt.

13. Spinach: Magickal properties for spinach are strong and ample (much like the delicious culinary possibilities when cooking with spinach). Tap into the green goodness of spinach when you wish to focus your magickal workings on areas of personal growth, money, fertility, passion, strength, determination, shielding, charging, the forest (and nature in general), travel, transportation, ley lines, astral projection, or the planet Jupiter.

Common non-perishable forms of spinach include frozen, canned/tinned, and dehydrated.

14. Strawberries: Magickal properties for strawberries are generally sweet, upbeat and highly welcome – much like this sunny weather culinary staple. Turn to strawberries in your magickal workings when you’re centering your attention on romance, love, pregnancy, family, youth, beauty, femininity, positivity, hope, truthfulness, creativity, warmth, friendship, overcoming hardships, dedication, success, stamina, reliability, giving, spiritual detoxification and cleansing, good luck, or the goddess Venus.  

Common non-perishable forms of strawberries include frozen, dehydrated, freeze-dried, powdered, syrups, jams, jellies, preserves, and canned/tinned.

15. Thyme: Magickal properties for thyme include those pertaining to purifying, cleansing, releasing and banishing negativity, happiness, personal style, prosperity, sweetness, hope, stability, tradition, balance, personal freedom, boldness, positive outlooks, letting go, compassion, reaching peaceful agreements, easing anxiety and nervousness, grief, trauma processing, releasing negativity, the fae, forest spirits, history, ancestors work, finding lost items, house hunting, financial matters, longevity, creativity, performing arts, writing, and honoring the dead.

Common non-perishable forms of thyme include dried, frozen, thyme paste, thyme-infused oils, and thyme salt.

As discussed earlier in this post, it is useful to remember that the magickal properties of each of the above listed foods apply whether a given food is fresh or preserved in some manner.

I aimed to include foods in this list that are, under normal (aka, pre-Coronavirus) circumstances, relatively readily available in many parts of the world in at least one non-perishable form, such as canned, tinned, frozen or dried.

Thus making them more likely to be a store cupboard (or freezer, spice rack, etc) item that you already have in your home or which you may be able to purchase – depending on what the shops or online sources for groceries (and magickal ingredients) in your area still have in stock at the moment.

Ways to work with food at Beltane

If you’re wondering how to work with food at Beltane, you’ve come to the right place!

The following are some lovely and meaningful ways to involve springtime foods in your Beltane celebrations, rituals and magickal workings.

Before hopping into this list, I need to preface it by making an important point. If you – or anyone in your household/family – need every last bite of food at present, please do not sacrifice even so much as a single blueberry or crumb of oatcake for purposes that do not involve human or pet consumption of said food.

It is a wonderful thing to celebrate the sabbats with food-related activities and festive meals, but we are currently living through some exceptionally different and difficult times and survival must always come first.

So with that important point established, let’s continue on and explore a number of different ways to perform Beltane kitchen witchery and otherwise work with food at Beltane in a magickal context.

–Place offerings of food on your altar or in another spot in your house (or yard) for whatever spirit allies, deities, elementals, angels, or other entities you presently work with.

–Hold a dumb supper. While most commonly associated in a modern Pagan sense with Samhain, the act of holding a silent – or “dumb” – supper in order to honour the departed is a poignant act that is inherently at home come Beltane as well.

This is especially true since Beltane and Samhain are exactly opposite each other on the Wheel of the Year and both are liminal times when the veil between the worlds grows thinner. If you’d like to learn more about Dumb Suppers, I suggest checking out this guest post I wrote on the subject back in 2018.

-Whip up some delicious Beltane recipes and have an early morning feast to welcome the rising sun on Beltane morn (or later in the day as a fun and festive May Day brunch.

-Make a batch of beautiful Beltane cupcakes or a charmingly lovely May Pole Cake, both of which honour the centuries old tradition of dancing around a maypole at the start of May.

–Anoint candles with dried or fresh herbs or flower petals (ensure that anything you burn is safe to be inhaled by humans and any animal friends who live with you).

–Mix dried or fresh herbs with salt (white, black, pink, etc – depending on what you’re aiming to accomplish or manifest) and use it to cleanse, bless, protect, or banish unwanted elements or energies from your house, by sprinkling the herbed salt mixture in various areas inside or out of your home (again, make sure any ingredients you use are safe for pets and humans – especially if you live with children).

–Create healthy, all-natural treats for your beloved pets using some of the same store cupboard ingredients that you may be tucking into this Beltane. For example, these 4-Ingredient Dog Treats that star blueberries and whole wheat flour or these inviting looking Carrot and Catnip Kitty Treats.

-Make a loaf of bread, cake, batch of cookies, tray of brownies, or another recipe that includes two or more of the Beltane foods listed in this post for extra seasonal potency.

For example, what about a carrot, thyme and lemon cake? Why not a vegan pot pie with green peas, spinach, leeks and assorted herbs? Or why not a delicious overnight oatmeal loaded with strawberries and blueberries, plus rosemary or lavender, if you have some to hand.

–Connecting all the more with the fae is one of the key elements of Beltane for some folks, myself included. Why not bake classic oatcakes, scones, Fried Honey Cakes, or Elderflower Fritters to leave as an offering for those faeries who inhabit your immediate environment.

-If you have access to pesticide-free edible flowers that are safe for human consumption, consider creating a gorgeous flower-infused honey that celebrates two of spring’s most meaningful (and delicious elements).

This Rose Honey recipe does the trick superbly (and would also make for a wonderful drizzle atop a wide range of Beltane baked goods, from muffins to cakes to berry crisps, crumbles, and buckles).

-If you’re imbibing this Beltane or otherwise utilizing alcohol in your workings, rituals or offerings, consider adding some delectable spring fruits – such as strawberries and blueberries or, if you can get them, early season or frozen peaches – to the wine or your choice for a delectable Beltane sangria.

–Start a book of your favourite sabbat recipes or magickal recipes, including those for Beltane, and add to it each time you hit upon a dish that’s a winner. Alternatively, jot down your sabbat recipes in your grimoire, book of shadows, or another existing book in which you record information pertaining to your path.

Creating our own light during the darkest of times

Beltane is a time to actively embrace, honour and celebrate the sunshine generated light that has returned to our world.

To this end, bonfires have long been a traditional part of many Mayday festivities and rituals. They are not the only way to let the light shine all the more brightly in our lives, however.

Things are not just tough, they’re out and out brutal for the planet as a whole right now.

At Beltane, I encourage you to look for safe, meaningful ways that you transmit energy, positivity and hope out into the world.

Ensure that you focus on your own well being, while also remembering that of others and the countless ways that we are each doing our best to stay afloat, keep our worlds intact as best we can, and remain alive during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In addition to working with seasonal foods and kitchen witchery in general, ask yourself what are some things you could do right now to brighten your days or those of others?

Much as there is a limitless amount of energy in the universe, so too do we have a profound amount of both inner energy and light that resides within ourselves.

This Beltane, tap into and honour that light.

Let it shine, allow it to help you process and cope with the current state that the world is in, and permit it to guide you onward through the remaining months of 2020 that lay beyond May 1^st.

With all my might, I wish you a safe, sacred, beautiful, and blessed Beltane.

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