May Blessings
The month of May is a time of change. The weather is warmer as the Sun God gains his strength allowing us to bask in the longer days and bathe in the heat that Mother Earth is soaking up. Trees are in full bloom, flowers a popping up in large numbers by now, and by mid-May, depending on what part of the Northern Hemisphere you are, everyone is busy planting their gardens with anticipation of a full, fertile growing season. May allows us to set some new goals and make plans for the future. As we anticipate all the new growth that will yield our winter food supply we begin to anticipate all the new things as we enter into our summer.
May for me is a time when I connect with the farmers. I come from a small farming community and by the early weeks of May, as long as the snow has melted and the ground is not saturated with water, farmers are out sowing their fields. It is a large ordeal in that there is a lot of planning and preparation to do to sow those seeds.
Interesting facts about the month of May include The May is derived from the Greek goddess Maia, who was the daughter of Atlas and the mother of Hermes. May 4th is known as Star Wars Day, A day celebrated by Star Wars fans! It is marked with celebrations and the phrase “May the 4th be with you!” May 5 celebrates Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican celebration of the army’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. May 8 celebrates V-E Day marking the end of  World War II in Europe in 1945. Mother’s Day and Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday are celebrated in May as well.
Moon Phases: Last Quarter- May 1, New Moon – May 8, First Quarter – May 115, Full Moon – May 23, Last Quarter May 30
Zodiac: Taurus and Gemini
Elements: Earth and Air
Colors: Yellow and Green
Herbs: Dandelion, Dill, Lemon Balm, Mint, Mugwart, Sage, Rosemary
crystals: Bloodstone, Emerald, Rose Quartz
Oils: Frankensense, Jasmine, Lemon, Mint, Pine, Rose
Symbols: Flowers, Maypol
Sabbat: Beltane
Beltane, also known as May Day, is a traditional Gaelic holiday that marks the beginning of summer. It is celebrated on May 1st and is one of the eight annual Sabbats on the Pagan Wheel. It is a fire festival and named after the Celtic god Bel, also known as the Sun God, who was believed to bring warmth and light to the earth. Beltane is a time of fertility and growth and is a celebration of the union of the god and goddess. In Wiccan tradition, the god and goddess that are honored during Beltane are the Horned God and the Maiden Goddess.
In ancient times, Beltane was a time of fertility rituals, bonfires, and dancing. People would light fires and drive their livestock between the two fires to purify and protect them for the coming year. Beltane was also a time for people to come together to celebrate the fertility of the land and to make offerings to the gods and goddesses.
Today, Beltane is still celebrated by Wiccans and modern Witches, as well as by other members of the Pagan and Neopagan communities. It is a time to celebrate the start of summer, to honor the god and goddess, and to give thanks for the blessings of the earth.
To celebrate Beltane, people often light bonfires, perform rituals and spells and decorate their homes and gardens with flowers and other symbols of fertility. Some people also participate in May Day parades and celebrations and may dance around the Maypole, a traditional symbol of Beltane. Other ways to celebrate Beltane include spending time in nature, meditating, and performing acts of kindness and generosity toward others.
Sun and Citrine Spell
For Energy and Purification
Feeling sluggish and tired of feeling like you’re stuck in a mental rut? This spell utilizes the powers of the Sun and the natural power of salt and stone to clear away stagnation and give your body and mind a boost of energy for Beltane. You’ll need salt, a small citrine crystal, and a sunny outdoor place in which to work this spell. It’s ok if you don’t, this ritual will still work.
Create Your Riyual
Gather your items and find the spot in which your ritual will take place. If you wish to create sacred space or draw a circle here before you begin, do so – this is your magick, your way.
 Kneel on the ground, giving yourself a moment of stillness to draw in some deep breaths. Place both hands on the ground and let yourself really feel any heaviness, exhaustion, tiredness, or whatever emotions may be ailing you. Let everything you’ve brought to the forefront of your consciousness swirl around inside of you, loosening it from its resting place, then direct it all down your arms, through your hands to the ground, draining it completely from your body. If you cannot put your hands directly onto the ground, simply envisage what you are draining moving through the layers upon which you have your hands, down, down into the earth.
Turn to face the sun now, feel its warmth and brightness soaking through you from your crown to your toes, channeling the infinite energy into you until you feel as though it has filled your whole body, shining in every crease and shadow. As you feel the sun’s power, imagine yourself energetic, buoyant, joyful, powerful, awake, and alive – however it is that you want to feel more of, really draw it into your self now.
Hold the piece of citrine up, pulling the sun into the stone to charge it until it too feels full.
If you feel drawn to it, recite the following, or something in your own words that feels good to you.
Now energized, this stone of the sun,
So too shall I energised become
Strength and light, vibration risen
Passed through to me, this power given
Think of the citrine now as a battery, you may even be able to feel its vibrations have grown stronger. Carry it with you when you feel as though you’re in need of an energy boost.
Repeat this ritual whenever you feel your or the citrine energy is lacking.
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Supercharged Sun Cakes
These light and yummy cookies will increase your energy and help you tune in with Beltane’s strong solar vibrations.
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar white sugar
1/4teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Two sticks of softened butter
One egg
Quarter cup of orange juice
2 teaspoons grated orange zest
 Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Blend in softened butter, and banana eggs. Citrus is associated with solar energy, so your suncakes will need a touch of orange flavoring to be complete. Stir in orange juice and grated orange zest, inviting the powers of the sun to enter into the mix. Let the dough chill, then roll tablespoon-sized pieces into small balls, place on a greased cookie sheet about an inch apart, and flatten slightly. Bake for about 10 minutes.
May the Energy of Beltane Ignite Your Inner Flames
of
Passion and creativity.
Blesses Be