Category: Articles
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
It has come to my attention that a follower of WOTC has said they are a WOTC witch and illegally using WOTC for I guess making themself seem to have my backing did a ritual for someone.
NO ONE except myself or a member of my Heart’s Spirit Coven has the backing of this website or myself to preform any type of ritual or spell for someone else.
Anyone representing themselves as being a WOTC with will find themselves in court for trade mark infringement and defamation of WOTC as a whole, myself, and Heart’s Spirit Coven.
If anyone approaches you as being a WOTC witch please check we me first as to legally being in my Heart’s Spirit Coven and doing spells or rituals for others with my permission to declare they are a WOTC witch and in good standing within the Heart’s Spirt Coven.
Send comments or inquires about this to ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com. Thank you
Did You Know Your Pet/Familiar Has Its Own Horoscopes, Check it Out!
Your Pet’s Horoscope
Do you think that astrology is only for people? Planet effects also all live existence in the earth. Pet haven´t so difficult disposition as people, but have psychological disposition. Also animals have feelings. Dogs, cats and some birds have more feelings than other animals. If you want to find your pet temperament you must be as long as you can with your pets. If you find your pets zodiac sign you have better chance to understand it´s sense. Pet´s astrology can help you to sense it´s individuality. If is your dog unusual cleanly and smart it can be Virgo. If it is still bored it can be Sagittarius. If you don´t know how is your pet zodiac sign read next and you will find your answers.
Is your pet Leo?
Is your pet a Leo? If so he or she probably has a shiny, glorious mane or coat of some kind and a beautiful disposition. Many Leo animals also have big eyes and long whiskers and set of big, sharp teeth. These animals are known for their athletic prowess and can often run the fastest, climb the highest and breed several generations of children.
They are usually strong, healthy and very friendly to people as long as their territory is not intruded upon.
Is Your Pet a Pisces?
The Pisces pet seems almost human because it is so empathic and in tune with you. They seem very psychic and watchful. All Pisces pets like to sleep and if left to their own devices they would snooze for three days straight. They can be lazy animals and because they like to eat too they can easily become quite fat. It is crucial to make sure that all of these pets get enough exercise.
Is Your Pet an Aquarius?
The Aquarius pet love people but they also have a habit of driving you crazy because they are so eccentric, free-spirited and difficult to train. The dogs will show you they love you by jumping up on you and barking the entire time you are not home. The cats will show they love you by dropping a dead mouse on your pillow and trying to sleep on your face.
Is Your Pet a Capricorn?
The Capricorn pet is very loyal, usual obedient and has a serious demeanor. The dogs make good watch-dogs and babysitters. They do well in settings where there are a lot of other pets. They keep the peace and make sure that everyone stays in line. The Capricorn dog will be very watchful of you and many of them can be overprotective. Be sure that the Capricorn dog is trained well and you will have an almost perfect pet.
Is Your Pet a Sagittarius?
The Sagittarius pet is a happy-go-lucky type who likes to go with the flow. The dogs are fantastic hunting companions and travel well. The cats are very flexible and if your job requires that you move from place to place the Sagittarius pet will not mind it so much. The biggest drawback of owning Sagittarian dogs and cats is that they have a real need to wander and explore greener pastures. They are masters of digging under the fence, hopping over the fence and jumping out the window. As they tend to be such excitable and impulsive creatures, they also can wander for hours and not remember how to get back home.
Is Your Pet a Scorpio?
Scorpio pets are strong, athletic and territorial creatures who tend to get their way. You cannot let these pets get bored or they will get revenge by trashing your place or wrecking something that you really treasure. Scorpio dogs are adventurers that make great hunting companions. However they will also hunt on their own for sport. Scorpio cats are killers. Both the dogs and cats are stealthy predators that nobody that nobody hears coming.
Is Your Pet a Libra?
All Libra pets are attractive, affectionate and very loyal. Even the cats will stick by yourself. They thrive in peaceful, beautiful surroundings and take great pride in their appearance. Even the birds and rodents will groom themselves constantly. They are also quite clean pets and do not tend to have any accidents or go outside the letterbox unless they are upset by discipline or fighting amongst the humans in the house.
Is Your Pet a Virgo?
The Virgo pet is usually very quiet, well-behaved and can be somewhat difficult to connect with. As they prefer to live in their own little world, they are sometimes not that easy to train. The Virgo dog or cat is usually quite happy to be on it’s own and for that reason they make good pets for apartments and condos. Another famous trait of Virgo pets is that they tend to be very clean. The dogs will wait to go outside and never foul your furnishings or carpet. The cats are also very tidy, meticulous creatures.
Is your pet Cancer?
The Cancer pet is a psychic one. It is empathic and very much in tune with your moods and emotions. Both dogs and cats born under this sign are always in tune with you and your schedule. They are affectionate, cuddly and often have beautiful manes. They are content with very little and want only to be with you. However they can also be moody and sensitive creatures that creatures that need a little distance every now and then. They can be philosophic creatures, often seeming to ponder the nature of the universe.
Is your pet Gemini?
The Gemini pet is usually pretty, quick on it’s feet and quick to learn. The dogs and cats are very trainable. They are also very social and bond easily with the family and other people. However they can also be a bit disloyal and it is not unusual for the Gemini dog or cat owner to be dismayed by how quickly the Gemini animal can run away.
Is my pet Taurus?
If your pet is a Taurus you have a chosen a loyal companion that is easily domesticated. Both cats and dogs born under this sign tend to stick to home. They are also easy to train and love to socialize with people.
In general pets born under this sign enjoy being stroked and caressed. Their favorite thing to do is cuddle up and watch television with you. Both the cats and dogs can be pests at the table if you do not train them not to jump up and demand treats. They are very preoccupied with food and can get aggressive with people and other pets that come too close to their food bowls.
Is my pet Aries?
If your pet is born an Aries then you can expect to have a pet that is more impulsive than usual. If you have a dog it might have quite a few misbehavior such as jumping the fence or chasing cars. The Aries cat also tends to be quite reckless and will scramble way up a tree to catch a bird without thinking at all about how to getto get down. However the bottom line is that that the Aries animal is actually a very good hunter. If the dogs are well trained they make wonderful companions for the outdoors-man.
(One Person’s View Point) Familiars In Witchcraft and Paganism
Familiars are an often talked about and highly debated topic in the witchy world.
As with most things, I don’t personally believe there is a “right” or “wrong” way to think about them, but there are definitely many options. I’ll share a few of them and let you know what I believe!
Familiars Throughout History
Familiars have made appearances for a variety of purposes and in a variety of ways throughout time.
Some perspectives view them as demons that inhabit the bodies of small animals like cats, dogs, rats, birds, and toads. They are there to help a witch with their workings.
In some cases familiars have even said to exist in human form!
Some accounts describe inheriting familiars through family members, covens, or mentors, usually around the time of an initiation. Witches were also thought to be presented with a familiar after making a deal with the devil.
Others say a witch’s familiar will appear to them out of the blue during mundane activities.
During the European witch hunts, animals believed to be familiars were often used as evidence of witchcraft. Even the presence of a fly or bee was enough to convince some witch hunters of an accused witch’s guilt!
Familiars Today
Today, familiars are not seen as something negative and Click here to finish reading this article about familiars on apaganmess.com
(One Person’s View Point) What is a Witch’s Familiar?
While many Witches have cats as familiars many of us have other furry or winged beings. A familiar is not an animal that goes out to do a Witch’s bidding, or to spy on their enemies or steal energy from others. A Witch’s familiar is their companion, a being that can help calm them as well as add power to some spells and/or rituals. They are not mean and attack people as they are so often portrayed as doing in films, TV shows, books, etc. You may be asking yourself “How do I know if a pet is my familiar or not?” or even “How do I find my familiar?” The best answers I have for these are if you feel a special bond with your pet, I’m not talking about a normal I love my pet kind of thing but
You may be asking yourself “How do I know if a pet is my familiar or not?” or even “How do I find my familiar?” The best answers I have for these are if you feel a special bond with your pet, I’m not talking about a normal I love my pet kind of thing, but it is hard to put into words, but I will try, it is a calming effect whenever you are upset and your pet comes to you or it makes you feel complete as a living being. You more than likely have one of your familiars for this lifetime. Now if you don’t have it or any pet and are looking for one my suggestion is first figure out if you are more drawn to dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters or…well I think you get where I’m going here. After that visit shelters, reliable pet shops, rescue places or even read the
Now if you don’t have it or any pet and are looking for one my suggestion is first figure out if you are more drawn to dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters or…well I think you get where I’m going here. After that visit shelters, reliable pet shops, rescue places or even read the classifieds in the newspaper and then go to see the animal(this is how I found my Cleo). Make sure you meet any animal that catches your eye. Do not make a snap decision but visit with the animal and see if it pick you as its human, pick it up cuddle with it or if it is to big for you to pick up and you can get down on its level. Believe me when I say you will know the animal is your familiar as soon as you make close physical contact with it. You will have a feeling a connection to that animal immediately.
Now we all know our lifespan is a lot longer then our companions/familiars is. Not to worry just as we live many lifetimes so do our familiars. So far for me in this lifetime my familiar has come to me as a cat, Tuffy, when I was 10 years old, he lived to be 17, then I got (my children…hahaha) a half cocker spaniel-half shelty mix, Boots, in my 30’s who lived for 14 1/2 years and now as my beautiful Cleo. The reason for me going so long in between Tuffy and Boots was I was in a rocky place on my life path barely able to take care of myself some days much less a pet plus I had fallen away from my Spiritual self and I hadn’t met the right companion for me during that time. Then between Boots and Cleo there was about a year and half while I was deciding what kind of pet I wanted. One day a friend of my husbands came over and brought his 4-month-old Min Pin, I had never really seen the breed before even though I had been working with canines for over 40 years and fell in love with the breed. So the search began and about 5 months later my hubby came home with an ad he had pulled out of our local newspaper for a breeder selling Min Pins very cheap. We called, made an appointment to see the litter, went to the breeders home and there were 3 girls and 1 boy. I was looking for a male only because up until this time my familiars had been male but the Universe had different plans for me this time. I put my hand into the enclosure the puppies were in and Cleo came up to chew on my engagement ring, lick my hand and try to climb over the fence, mind you, she was only 5 inches tall and weighed in at 2 pounds. I took my hand away from her trying to pet her siblings, she would have none of that as she pushed them away from my hand. So after putting my hand in and out a few times to see if she would keep coming over, which she did. When my hubby put his hand in there the same thing happened, she pushed everyone else out of the way to get to his hand. I asked to hold her and there was instant bond with her and I. While her and my hubby are friendly there is no doubt that she is my companion and familiar.
Added note 2015– In 2014 I got a rescue Chihuahua, named Starbabie. She is now three years old and is another familiar of mine. I do not know why I have two of them in my life right now, but I am grateful for it. Towards the beginning of this year I was alone in our home for almost week with just my girls, I live next door to a state-run group home for boys some of who just got out of jail for violent crimes. Even though my girls are small I was not worried because Cleo kept watch on the outside of the house (through the picture windows in the living room and my den) and Star never left my side
Added Note 2026 Cleo and Star both crossed the rainbow bridge in 2024. I was bless to find Crystal Moon who is not only my familiar she’s my protector in the physical world. The day she picked me and my husband was an interesting one. We weren’t ready and she had a few more days before we could under Illinois animal rights take her home. Big Dawg was holding her the day we picked her up to go home with us while I signed all the necessary paperwork. When I got came back close to them she started what I can only describe as swimming in the air to get to me. When we are home she’ll go spend time with him but she is with in eyesight or right next to me most of the time. When I cast a circle she will sit close enough to be in the circle but not impede me moving around in it. She is in training as my service dog as on her own she began to alter me when I really need to check my blood pressure when it get higher than normal. She is also learning how to lean next to me for when I get dizzy and need help to get to a place I can sir down.
Copyright 2012 Lady Beltane
(One Person’s View) Explained: “How to Write Your Own Spells” (In-Depth Guide)
There is nothing wrong with using spells found in books or on the internet, but they can contain errors, have bad consequences, or can simply not align with what you are seeking.
In this article, I will teach you how to draw inspiration from spells you find in order to write your own!
A Gorgeous Page Template To Print Out and Write All Your Magickal Working On
Witchy Tip For Money Spells
Spells and Formulas Record Sheet
You can print this out or save it on your computer. Even after practicing for over 45 years I find this page from Lady Abyss very helpful.
Spells and Formulas Record Sheet
TYPE OF SPELL OR FORMULA: This should state very clearly what the type of spell is e.g. blessing, binding etc. When developing formulas for lotions and potions, for instance, you need to be clear as to the exact purpose.
DATE AND TIME MADE: This gives a cross-reference should you wish to use the correct planetary hours or magical days.
REFERENCE: you should develop your own system of reference; this might be, for instance, according to the time of year or alphabetically. Do also remember to keep safely somewhere a record of how you have developed your reference system so that others may benefit from your experience.
ASTROLOGICAL PHASE: if you have an interest in astrology you will probably want to record where the planets are when you prepare the spell or formula. A decent ephemeris (list of planetary positions) can be of great help here though there are also many sources of information on the internet.
SPECIFIC PURPOSE: you should always state the specific purpose of the spell or formula very clearly. This is partly because it helps to focus your own mind, but also because it leaves no one in any doubt as to your intentions. Should you have more than one main purpose, you should also record these.
LIST OF INGREDIENTS AND/OR SUPPLIES NEEDED: Having all your ingredients to hand ensures that you are working with maximum efficiency and not misusing or needing to adjust the energy by leaving the sacred space. Also, when you repeat a working you will need to replicate what you did the first time; even one small change in ingredients can make a tremendous difference to the outcome.
SPECIFIC LOCATION REQUIRED: You may well need to perform some spells within a certain area or setting. Also you may discover that your own energy responds to some locations better than others.
DATE, TIME AND ASTROLOGICAL PHASE WHEN USED: In all probability you will not want all your spells to take effect at the time you cast them. suppose you have applied for a job and wish your spell to work at the time of interview. You would need to carefully calculate the date, time and astrological phase of the interview as well as the time you are actually casting your spell and incorporate both sets of information into your working.
RESULTS: Record carefully all aspects of results you feel are associated with your working. This record should include how successful you consider the spell to be and how it might be improved. There will be some unexpected results, some which appear not to give a tangible result and others which come into play some time after they were expected.
DEITIES INVOKED DURING PREPARATION AND/OR USE: Often a particular god can be helpful in bringing about a needed result for a spell. You will chose the most appropriate for your purpose and can always petition a different one at another time.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATIONS AND/OR USE: Often when spell-working, movements and words are intuitive and instinctive; the more you are able to remember what you did the more likely you are to achieve similar results. Also, should you require them for someone to work on your behalf or to undertake someone else’s magical training, you will have an exact record.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Here you should record for each occasion anything that seems strange, bizarre or noteworthy so that you know what to expect next time.
In each of the spells we give a list of ingredients and special articles which may be required to achieve a result for that particular spell. Because each individual brings their own energy into the process, you may find that you intuitively want to change something, whether that is an ingredient, a container or the words used. This is absolutely fine, and means that your spell has a very personal ‘feel’ to it.
Keeping Track of Your Spells
KEEPING TRACK OF YOUR SPELLS
Whenever you do a spell, record all the details in your book of shadows. That way, you can perform the spell again at a later date, adjust it, or adapt it to other circumstances. Following is a list of the basic information you should include about any spell or ritual you perform:
Name and type of spell. Write this at the top of the page.
and time you did the spell. If it’s an original spell, you may also wish to add the date and time you composed it.
Who else was present, if anyone.
Moon phase. Add the moon sign if you know it, as well as other pertinent astrological information.
Weather. This is more important than you might think, as weather can affect your feelings as well as the place where you choose to perform your spell.
Location. Did you do the spell in the living room, backyard, etc.?
Your health. Your energy level and overall health can impact your spells. If you are female, also note where you are in your menstrual cycle.
Purpose of the spell. This may be obvious from the name of the spell, but a heading such as “Simple Cauldron Spell” might require a little more information about why you did the spell.
A complete list of the tools and ingredients used. This is vital for future reference and if you choose to repeat the spell.
Deities invoked, if any.
The entire text of the spell or ritual. You can write this down before the ritual, and just work from your text, if necessary.
How long it took to complete the spell.
The immediate reaction you felt to the ritual.
Short-term results. What did you notice over the first few days or weeks following the ritual?
Long-term results. What sort of changes have you observed over the following months or years?
You may choose to add other information you consider relevant, interesting, etc. Add drawings, poems, or other jottings if you like. Of course, you can always come back later and put in notations about things you thought of afterwards, dreams, discussions you may have had with fellow witches, and so on. It’s your book to work with however seems best for you.
Source: The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells bySkye Alexander
Let’s Talk Witch – The Most Powerful Ingredient in Spells
The Most Powerful Ingredient in Spells
Simply relying on the right color candle, correct incense or special herbs to work their magic will leave you wondering what you left out. The special ingredient you may have left out is YOU!
I decided to write this book because our website received so many emails over the years from beginners complaining that they had followed a spell EXACTLY as it was written, and it failed to work. They wanted to know what they were doing wrong. Like most of us, they had seen movies or TV shows that suggested having the right combination of colored candles, special herbs, oils and magical words would solve their financial or relationship problems. They did not understand that the ingredients in their spell was only a small part of the process.
Most books on casting spells only give you half of the information you really need. You are given lists of ingredients and action steps, but no explanation of how or why these spells really work. The Universal Laws that govern the results are not clearly explained and the new practitioner is left with only a vague understanding of what they are doing.
This is a problem, as those who are truly interested in manifesting their desires are not adding the most important ingredient, or worse yet, they are adding the wrong ingredient. That ingredient is the personal energy that they send out. This is what the Universe will ultimately respond to.
Personal energy is the key ingredient in all spells. If you have ever asked your mom or a friend for a recipe because you wanted to make the same meal they made, only to have that recipe fail when you tried to duplicate it, you probably understand what I am talking about. Even when you follow their recipe exactly as it was written, it never seems to turn out the same for you. Their personal touch will always be missing. A good cook will simply add a little of his or her energy to the recipe and make it their own.
Like a favorite recipe, sometimes you may need to modify a spell just a little to make it work for you. Changing the color of a candle or using a different scent of incense will not make the Divine angry or cause the Universe to ignore you. If you are sending out thoughts and feelings that are positive and full of gratitude, your spells will always return positive results.
If you already have a shelf full of spell books and have collected all the right ingredients for a spell, that’s great! But if you are just starting out or are missing what seems to be key ingredients, don’t let it be a major concern. The Universe will be responding to YOU, not your collection of herbs, oils or crystals.
Source: Wicca A Beginner’s Guide to Casting Spells: Herbal, Crystal and Candle Magic (Living Wicca Today Book 3) byKardia Zoe
Happy and Blessed Beltane
Because of birthday plans I am only doing a few posts today.
(One Person’s View Point) Beltane Explained: How to Celebrate Beltane Like an Ancient Celt
Europeans have been putting on fiery May Day festivals for hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of years.
Whether it’s celebrating Sankt Walpurgisnacht (“Saint Walpurgis Night”) in Germany with bonfires, or celebrating Pálení čarodějnic (“burning of the witches”) in the Czech Republic with the burning of a twenty-five-foot-tall effigy of a witch, or even celebrating Easter in the Netherlands with some Paasvuren (“Easter fires”), these long-standing springtime traditions might all owe their existence to the Celtic cross-quarter day festival of Beltane.
Okay, fine, that’s a bit presumptuous. At the very least, Beltane likely influenced these celebrations, or at the very, very least, Beltane and Walpurgis Night and similar celebrations all share a common prehistoric (i.e., pre-Celtic, pre-Germanic) celebratory ancestor.
According to the World History Encyclopedia, Walpurgis Night, celebrated on the evening of April 30th, is derived from the “merging of the ancient pagan celebration of Beltane with the commemoration of the canonization of the Christian Saint Walpurga (l. c. 710 – c. 777 CE).”
The Encyclopedia goes on to note that the “ancient Celtic Sabbat (religious festival) of Beltane” had “merged with Germanic May Day” and was later Christianized sometime after 870 CE when Walpurga—a British-born Christian missionary and healer known for her ability to combat witchcraft—was canonized in Germany.
Meanwhile, in Ireland, the bishop of Cashel and king of Munster Cormac (d. 908 CE), was writing about Beltane in his eponymous glossary. Cormac claimed the festival of Beltane was named for the “lucky fire” or the “the two fires,” and he described how Irish pagans would drive cattle between two hillside bonfires in order to protect them from disease during their migration to summer pasturelands.
But look at me, getting ahead of myself here, like a bull charging between stacks of yet-to-be-lit firewood on an Irish hillside.
Before we explore all of the rituals associated with the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane, let’s cover the basics, starting with the definition and etymology of Beltane.
What is Beltane? (Definition and Etymology)…
Click her to read the est of this article about Beltane Source: irishmyths.com
(One Person’s View Point) Fertility Deities of Beltane
Fertility Deities of Beltane
Beltane is a time of great fertility — for the earth itself, for animals, and of course for people as well. This season has been celebrated by cultures going back thousands of years, in a variety of ways, but nearly all shared the fertility aspect. Typically, this is a Sabbat to celebrate gods of the hunt or of the forest, and goddesses of passion and motherhood, as well as agricultural deities. Here are a list of gods and goddesses that can be honored as part of your tradition’s Beltane rituals.
Artemis (Greek): The moon goddess Artemis was associated with the hunt and was seen as a goddess of forests and hillsides. This pastoral connection made her a part of spring celebrations in later periods.
Bes (Egyptian): Worshiped in later dynasties, Bes was a household protection god, and watched over mothers and young children. He and his wife, Beset, were paired up in rituals to cure problems with infertility.
Bacchus (Roman): Considered the equivalent of Greek god Dionysus, Bacchus was the party god — grapes, wine, and general debauchery were his domain. In March each year, Roman women could attend secret ceremonies called the bacchanalia, and he is associated with sexual free-for-alls and fertility.
Cernunnos (Celtic): Cernunnos is a horned god found in Celtic mythology. He is connected with male animals, particularly the stag in rut, and this has led him to be associated with fertility and vegetation. Depictions of Cernunnos are found in many parts of the British Isles and western Europe. He is often portrayed with a beard and wild, shaggy hair — he is, after all, the lord of the forest.
Flora (Roman): This goddess of spring and flowers had her own festival, Floralia, which was celebrated every year between April 28 to May 3. Romans dressed in bright robes and floral wreaths, and attended theater performances and outdoor shows. Offerings of milk and honey were made to the goddess.
Hera (Greek): This goddess of marriage was the equivalent of the Roman Juno, and took it upon herself to bestow good tidings to new brides. A maiden about to marry could make offerings to Hera, in the hopes that she would bless the marriage with fertility. In her earliest forms, she appears to have been a nature goddess, who presides over wildlife and nurses the young animals which she holds in her arms.
Kokopelli (Hopi): This flute-playing, dancing spring god carries unborn children upon his own back, and then passes them out to fertile women. In the Hopi culture, he is part of rites that relate to marriage and childbearing, as well as the reproductive abilities of animals. Often portrayed with rams and stags, symbolic of his fertility, Kokopelli occasionally is seen with his consort, Kokopelmana.
Pan (Greek): This agricultural god watched over shepherds and their flocks. He was a rustic sort of god, spending lots of time roaming the woods and pastures, hunting and playing music on his flute. Pan is typically portrayed as having the hindquarters and horns of a goat, similar to a faun. Because of his connection to fields and the forest, he is often honored as a spring fertility god.
Priapus (Greek): This fairly minor rural god has one giant claim to fame — his permanently erect and enormous phallus. The son of Aphrodite by Dionysus (or possibly Zeus, depending on the source), Priapus was mostly worshiped in homes rather than in an organized cult. Despite his constant lust, most stories portray him as sexually frustrated, or even impotent. However, in agricultural areas he was still regarded as a god of fertility, and at one point he was considered a protective god, who threatened sexual violence against anyone — male or female — who transgressed the boundaries he guarded.
Sheela-na-Gig (Celtic): Although the Sheela-na-Gig is technically the name applied to the carvings of women with exaggerated vulvae that have been found in Ireland and England, there’s a theory that the carvings are representative of a lost pre-Christian goddess. Typically, the Sheela-na-Gig adorns buildings in areas of Ireland that were part of the Anglo-Norman conquests in the 12th century. She is shown as a homely woman with a giant yoni, which is spread wide to accept the seed of the male. Folkloric evidence indicates that the figures are theory that the figures were part of a fertility rite, similar to “birthing stones”, which were used to bring on conception.
Xochiquetzal (Aztec): This fertility goddess was associated with spring, and represented not only flowers but the fruits of life and abundance. She was also the patron goddess of prostitutes and craftsmen.
Source: Patti Wigington Published on ThoughtCo
The Nine Sacred Woods for Your Beltane Fire
(SIDE NOTE: These are also the types of wood you need to make Ogham Staves.)
(One Person’s View Point) Samhain (Sow-en) – The Celtic roots of Halloween
As millions of children and adults participate in the fun of Halloween on the night of October 31st, few will be aware of its ancient Celtic roots in the Samhain (Samain) festival. In Celtic Ireland about 2,000 years ago, Samhain was the division of the year between the lighter half (summer) and the darker half (winter). At Samhain the division between this world and the otherworld was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through.
The family’s ancestors were honoured and invited home whilst harmful spirits were warded off. People wore costumes and masks to disguise themselves as harmful spirits and thus avoid harm. Bonfires and food played a large part in the festivities. The bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into a communal fire, household fires were extinguished and started again from the bonfire. Food was prepared for the living and the dead, food for the ancestors who were in no position it eat it, was ritually shared with the less well off.
Christianity incorporated the honouring of the dead into the Christian calendar with All Saints (All Hallows) on November 1st, followed by All Souls on November 2nd. The wearing of costumes and masks to ward off harmful spirits survived as Halloween customs. The Irish emigrated to America in great numbers during the 19th century especially around the time of famine in Ireland during the 1840’s. The Irish carried their Halloween traditions to America, where today it is one of the major holidays of the year. Through time other traditions have blended into Halloween, for example the American harvest time tradition of carving pumpkins.
Two hills in the Boyne Valley were associated with Samhain in Celtic Ireland, Tlachtga and Tara. Tlachtga was the location of the Great Fire Festival which begun on the eve of Samhain (Halloween). Tara was also associated with Samhain, however it was secondary to Tlachtga in this respect.
The entrance passage to the Mound of the Hostages on the Hill of Tara is aligned with the rising sun around Samhain. The Mound of the Hostages is… Click here to read the rest of this article about Samhain
(One Person’s Viewpoint) Celebrating May Day – Beltane History
Celebrating May Day – Beltane History
The Fires of Tara:
Beltane kicks off the merry month of May, and has a long history. This fire festival is celebrated on May 1 with bonfires, Maypoles, dancing, and lots of good old fashioned sexual energy. The Celts honored the fertility of the gods with gifts and offerings, sometimes including animal or human sacrifice. Cattle were driven through the smoke of the balefires, and blessed with health and fertility for the coming year.
In Ireland, the fires of Tara were the first ones lit every year at Beltane, and all other fires were lit with a flame from Tara.
Roman Influences:
The Romans, always known for celebrating holidays in a big way, spent the first day of May paying tribute to their Lares, the gods of their household. They also celebrated the Floralia, or festival of flowers, which consisted of three days of unbridled sexual activity. Participants wore flowers in their hair (much like May Day celebrants later on), and there were plays, songs, and dances. At the end of the festivities, animals were set loose inside the Circus Maximus, and beans were scattered around to ensure fertility. The fire festival of Bona Dea was also celebrated on May 2nd.
A Pagan Martyr:
May 6 is the day of Eyvind Kelda, or Eyvind Kelve, in Norse celebrations. Eyvind Kelda was a Norwegian martyr who was tortured and drowned on the orders of King Olaf Tryggvason for refusing to give up his Pagan beliefs. A week later, Norwegians celebrate the Festival of the Midnight Sun, which pays tribute to the Norse sun goddess.
This festival marks the beginning of ten straight weeks without darkness.
The Greeks and Plynteria:
Also in May, the Greeks celebrated the Plynteria in honor of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and battle, and the patroness of the city of Athens (which was named after her). The Plynteria includes the ritual cleansing of Athena’s statue, along with feasting and prayers in the Parthenon. On the 24th, homage is paid to the Greek moon-goddess Artemis (goddess of the hunt and of wild animals). Artemis is a lunar goddess, equivalent to the Roman moon-goddess Diana – she is also identified with Luna, and Hecate.
The Green Man Emerges:
A number of pre-Christian figures are associated with the month of May, and subsequently Beltane. The entity known as the Green Man, strongly related to Cernunnos, is often found in the legends and lore of the British Isles, and is a masculine face covered in leaves and shrubbery. In some parts of England, a Green Man is carried through town in a wicker cage as the townsfolk welcome the beginning of summer. Impressions of the Green Man’s face can be found in the ornamentation of many of Europe’s older cathedrals, despite edicts from local bishops forbidding stonemasons from including such pagan imagery.
Jack-in-the-Green:
A related character is Jack-in-the-Green, a spirit of the greenwood. References to Jack appear in British literature back as far as the late sixteenth century. Sir James Frazer associates the figure with mummers and the celebration of the life force of trees. Jack-in-the-Green was seen even in the Victorian era, when he was associated with soot-faced chimney sweeps. At this time, Jack was framed in a structure of wicker and covered with leaves, and surrounded by Morris dancers. Some scholars suggest that Jack may have been a ancestor to the legend of Robin Hood.
Ancient Symbols, Modern Rites:
Today’s Pagans celebrate Beltane much like their ancestors did. A Beltane ritual usually involves lots of fertility symbols, including the obviously-phallic Maypole dance. The Maypole is a tall pole decorated with flowers and hanging ribbons, which are woven into intricate pattern by a group of dancers. Weaving in and out, the ribbons are eventually knotted together by the time the dancers reach the end.
In some Wiccan traditions, Beltane is a day in which the May Queen and the Queen of Winter battle one another for supremacy. In this rite, borrowed from practices on the Isle of Man, each queen has a band of supporters. On the morning of May 1, the two companies battle it out, ultimately trying to win victory for their queen. If the May Queen is captured by her enemies, she must be ransomed before her followers can get her back.
There are some who believe Beltane is a time for the faeries — the appearance of flowers around this time of year heralds the beginning of summer and shows us that the fae are hard at work. In early folklore, to enter the realm of faeries is a dangerous step — and yet the more helpful deeds of the fae should always be acknowledged and appreciated. If you believe in faeries, Beltane is a good time to leave out food and other treats for them in your garden or yard.
For many contemporary Pagans, Beltane is a time for planting and sowing of seeds — again, the fertility theme appears. The buds and flowers of early May bring to mind the endless cycle of birth, growth, death and rebirth that we see in the earth. Certain trees are associated with May Day, such as the Ash, Oak and Hawthorn. In Norse legend, the god Odin hung from an Ash tree for nine days, and it later became known as the World Tree, Yggdrasil.
If you’ve been wanting to bring abundance and fertility of any sort into your life — whether you’re looking to conceive a child, enjoy fruitfulness in your career or creative endeavors, or just see your garden bloom — Beltane is the perfect time for magical workings related to any type of prosperity.
Source: Article found on & owned by About.com Author: Patti Wigington
(One Person’s View Point) 2026 April New Moon: Personal Guide for Each Zodiac and More
The April New Moon arriving on April 17 is a massive “reset button” for all of us. It marks the first major lunar shift of the astrological year, and it’s not just a small change—it’s a call to shed your old skin. If you’ve been feeling heavy, stuck, or just “off,” this is the moment the universe gives you permission to start over.
CONTENTS
Here is what you need to focus on right now based on your sign:
New Moon Rituals:
Personal Tip for the April 17 Moon:
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