Celebrating the Goddess of Love 28^th July-1^st August with Fringe events from 26^thJuly

Now available on our website www.goddessconference.com With contributions from Alessandra Belloni, Barbara Meiklejohn-Free, Deonesea la Fey, Freddie Foosiya Miller, Georgina Sirett-Hardie, Grael Corsini, Isabella Verbruggen, Isabella Weber, Jacqui Woodward-Smith, Jane Meredith, Jay Keshava, Joanne Foucher, Julie Felix, Kathy Jones, Katinka Soetens, Kay Dayton, Kellianna, Koko Newport, Lady Olivia Durdin Robertson, Loes Moezelaar, Lydia Lite, Lynne Orchard, Marguerite Rigoglioso, Mike Jones, Miriam Wallraven, Natasha Wardle, Nicki Mackay, Oona McFarlane, Oshia Drury, Peter Wood, Rose Flint, Sally Pullinger, Tegwyn Hyndman and Trevor Nuthall. Plus priestesses of the Goddess and Avalon and other traditions, helpful Melissas and lots lovely more women and men.

With Ceremonies, Adorations and Praise Songs to the Goddess of Love, Sensuality, Sexuality and Beauty, the Goddess as Lover. We honour Her as the beautiful Flower Goddess Blodeuwedd, who is also Owlface, as Nimue of the Glass Isle, Elen of the Trackways, Ertha the Earth, Sheela na Gig of the Gateways, Arianrhod of the Silver Wheel, Gerwyn the Virgin Foot-holder, Eostre of Springtime and Nolava the Lover, Lady of Avalon. We will celebrate many aspects of Love, from self love, to the love in our relationships, sexual love, and spiritual love.

Participate in inspiring workshops, listen to fascinating presentations, see beautiful artwork & stalls, performances, music, song, poetry and dance. Fill your heart with Her Love and Beauty. Join one of Nine Heart Circles for support and to participate fully in Ceremonies throughout the Conference. Dance the night away at the Goddess Gala Buffet and Masque and join our Procession through the Landscape to Chalice Hill with a Red Fruit and Chocolate Feast!  

Email goddesconference@ukonline.co.uk for further information

Image of Blodeuwedd, Goddess of Flowers by Yuri Leitch, www,yurileitch.co.uk 

Be welcome…Come join us

as we immerse ourselves in Ceremony, Ritual, Song,

Music, Dance, Creative Play, Spoken Word, Laughter

& Five Flames of the Sacred Temple of Magdalena

GAIA

GODDESS ASSOCIATION IN AUSTRALIA Inc AUSTRALIAN

Celebrates, Unites & Supports Women in the Wider Community

GODDESS CONFERENCE 2009

Sat Oct 31^st, Sun Nov 1^st 2009

Platters of Exotic delights: Delicious, fresh Morning

& AfternoonTea & Lunch Tea & coffee provided

SPECIAL GUESTS& P R E S E N T E R S

Wendy Rule-Thea Gaia - Patricia Corner - Julie Walton-Tess Elliott - Louise Bell - Bilawara Lee

Anique Radiant Heart - Alicia Sherwood-Mel Creamer - Tricia Szirom - Lynn Guy-Amrita Hobbs - Elizabeth Jane Lotscher

Lucy Cavendish - Tanna Kjaer-Dona-Ganga Ashworth - Glenys Livingstone-Lynne Sinclair-Wood - Jane Meredith

Jane Hardwicke Collings – Tanishka- Dede Callichy - Barbara Sheehy

G A I A  i s  a  not - f o r - pr o f i t or g an i s a ti o n

Wendy Rule Concert $25

Friday Evening  7.30 PM, 30 October

GAIA INC MEMBERSHIP:

Standard $50 Associate $35(available for under 18’s)

Stalls available to conference participants for $70

Alicia 0402 656 243 Patricia 07 5545 4837 - 0424 713 959 / GAIA Inc PO Box 60 Nth Tamborine QLD 4272

CONFERENCE PRICES:* A l l t i ck ets a r e Pr e - Pa i d

*3 day ticket & concer t Member $220 Non-Member $270

*Day only Sat or Sun Member $160 Non-Member $190

*Full Conference & Membership Standard $260 Renewal &250

Venue

ALBERT WATERWAYS COMMUNITY CENTRE Cnr Hooker & Sunshine Blvds, Mermaid Waters QLD

CONTACT

info@goddessassociation.com.au / www.goddessassociation.com.au / conferenceregistration@goddessassociation.com.au

Samhaine - day of the dead

Samhaine (pronounced Sow-en) it is a traditional Celtic festival in which people have gathered over the centuries, eaten together, drunk and marked the seasonal changes. Samhaine marks the end of the Celtic year, end of the harvest and beginning the dark half of the seasons. On this night people celebrate and also remember and honour those who have past. Traditionally it is believed to be the night in which the thinnest veil exists between the living and the dead, the cloak drops for one night and ancestors walk again. As such during celebrations the Celts often used to dress as spirits, paint their faces white, leave out sweets, and carve and light pumpkins to attract their past loved ones and repel negativity from the home. Fires, bells and drums were used to repel negative spirits. Halloween has formed from this festival, celebrated going into winter (Oct 31^st in the Northern Hemp/ end of April in the Southern hemp).

It is the night of the Dark Goddess, destruction of the old, and a night when traditionally Priestesses and Druids used herbs and tranced to meet with the ancestors. It was a time for deep trance work, scrying, cursing and releasing the old. The Crone Mother is in her prime and we honour her knowledge and the gift of sacred wisdom. Many Crone Goddesses, War or Destroyer Goddesses are honoured this night. Morrigain, Macha, Badb, Scatha, Calleach… A cauldron of water (womb of the Goddess) is consecrated and drunk for the wisdom of the Crone. It was also a traditional time for slaughter moving into winter. The Celts believed that the smell of blood and grain that was burning called the ancestors to begin the night. Modern pagans do much the same, but often in the form of a roast dinner.

The local community would burn messages into the fires for the dead, carve pumpkins’, feast, tell stories, celebrate and do apple bobbing. In Celtic Goddess culture there is a time for every season both in the land and in ourselves. Samhaine is the tide of death and darkness. It is the time to look inward, a time to let go, a time to face the past, and a time in which the Ancestors Law is strong and processing feelings surrounding grief or honouring those who have past is celebrated as richly as the light and birth of spring.

It is customary to set a place at the table for people who have past at the Samhaine feast. Sometimes a window was left open to the west to invite the loved one in, with a candle in the western window or door to help guide their path home. We honour the natural, creative and transformative power that death and stillness brings, and through this slowing down and honest reflection we give ourselves true balance. As the leaves fall and plants focus in on their roots it signals the time of darkness, the time for dealing with the past before the time of Birch, new beginnings.

Symbols of Samhaine often used in offering….

Rosemary: The herb of remembrance, laid out or burnt for the dead

Apples: life after death and a symbol of the divinity of the Mother Goddess

Pomegranates: Seeds of death and rebirth

Dittany of Crete: thrown into fire to honour those past

Pumpkins: Carved to attract and welcome loved ones and scare and repel negativity from the home during the night of the thinnest veil

Fumitory: underworld and protection

Red poppy’s: Sacrifice, visions, moon, mother

Deadly Nightshade: ointment that was traditionally used over bodies and placed on brooms, once

absorbed into the skin gave the feeling of flying

Sage: cleansing and purification

Acorns/ oak leaves: wisdom from the past and life contained within

Things to do on Samhaine

Carve pumpkins and place candle in them around your home

Make recipes with apples or pumpkins (pumpkin soup, roast pumpkin, apple crumple, baked apples, and pumpkin pie)

Do apple bobbing (very popular with kids)

In the week leading up to Samhaine think about something from your past you need to let go and give yourself time to reflect and do ritual to work through it

Cook a roast dinner on Samhaine night, add grain and rosemary for the smell of Samhaine, or if you are vegetarian roast vegetables in rosemary  

Write a poem to a person close to you who has died, or write a note with things you wanted to say before they died, then burn it with rosemary into a fire and let it go

Keep a writing pad by your bed, and place mugwort under your pillow. Many people find they dream about spirits, the Goddess or remember past friends or relatives during this tide

Invite friends and family over on Samhaine night and have a rich feast to celebrate the dark half of the year beginning and the move towards Winter

Meditate, do journey work, dance

Do ceremony that honours the Crone’s and their wisdom and drink from her cauldron

Spend time in the garden or in nature on Samhaine night. Put incense, herbs, sweets, fruit and candles in your garden. The Celts during this night often burnt herbs and did vision quests either connecting with the Fae or the ancestors on the night when the veil is at its thinnest

The richness of darkness and death move amongst us, the Earth stands still, cold to her bones. For a moment we move through this wonderful transition, a moment of stillness and profound darkness now waiting until the light of winter solstice dawn, we move deep into the caves of our souls and truly see ourselves, ready to be birthed again as the wheel of the year turns..

You are invited to the first 2009 MoonTree Ancient History Workshop!

If you are interested in ancient religion, and its timeless significance for our lives and Paths today, and if you are hungry for some sacred time for yourself in the company of like-minded women, then please do come along to this special event, facilitated by Alicia Sherwood (M.A.) …

The Greek Eleusinian Mystery Cult

This Classical Greek mystery cult, which hearkens back to far earlier times, occupied a very important place in the religious and spiritual experience of the people of the time. In this workshop, we will explore ancient information and Lore about the:

 *Temple *Rites *Administration, priesthood and role of women *Mythology and spiritual significance of this cult of the Earth and the Mother /Daughter Goddesses Demeter and Persephone….

As with all MoonTree workshops, the day consists of a wonderful depth and array of information, as well as sacred experiential, creative and interactive aspects. Truly a rich and magical day!

When: Saturday 21^st March, 10am-3pm

Where: North Tamborine (directions will be forward with confirmation of registration).

 Cost: $90 per woman, which includes all materials. Please bring a plate of vegetarian food to share for lunch…

Registrations must be finalised one week prior to event. To confirm your place, please email Alicia at alicia@moontree.net or phone 0402 656 243.

I look forward to welcoming you there!

Blessings,

Alicia Sherwood

M.A. (Ancient History)

MoonTree

PO Box 60 North Tamborine Q 4272

M: 0402 656 243

E: alicia@moontree.net

W: www.moontree.net

Lughnasadh

 Timing…

Traditional date is August 1^st in northern hemisphere, when the Sun moves into Leo for the strength of the solar energy. In southern hemisphere is celebrated February 2^nd. It is the midpoint between Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox.

Stories of Lughnasadh (Luh guh’ nahs eye or Loo nas saw)

Lughnasadh is a deep, dark time of reflection and journey, and is the Celtic harvest festival. The wheat from the first harvest is cut with Lughs sword and used to bake the first loaf of bread. This marks the harvest and a time to give thanks. Saxons had a Christian rite called Lammas (loaf mass). The first bread from the harvest was brought to church and broken. Lughnasadh is the Fourth Gaelic Fire Festival (female) and first harvest festival. It is the wake of Lugh- Sun God and High King and bright god of the Tuatha de Danaan, who died in ecstasy at Summer Solstice.

It is a time to celebrate the fruits of the Earth Mother and fertility of the Earth and a time of markets, community gatherings and feasts. Lughnasadh means “Lugh’s assembly” and celebrates the beginning of harvest season, the decline of summer to winter. It is a funeral feast but also a time to commemorate the mother and the ripening of her fruits. Lughs foster mother may be honoured (Tailti) who died working and preparing the land for agriculture. Lughnasadh celebrations in Ireland are often called the “Tailltean Games” a time to honour Tailti in which funeral games were held on this day. It is a time of games and celebration. Ireland’s oldest festival the ‘Puck festival’ is also celebrated during this time.

Ritual activities

It is a season of dismissing regrets, farewells and preparation for winter. Bread is often baked, often in symbolised shapes, and thrown into the fire to release fear. It is a time of letting go and releasing of fear and is especially good for good for divorce ceremonies and letting go of the past.

Other activities may include the making of harvest corn dolls, wheat weaving, baking bread or meditating on an ear of wheat. Meditations and rituals often focus on releasing fear or anger. It is also a time of feasting and dancing

Among its activities, couples could enter into a “trial marriage” known as a “Brehon wedding.” The two would clasp hands and thrust them through a circular opening in a special stone, while announcing to the Brehons — judges and lawyers — that they intended to live together for a trial period of one year, after which the marriage would be formalised. Either party could break the marriage by a public announcement during the feast of Beltaine in the Spring. No harsh words were allowed between wives and husbands at this time. The levying or collecting of debts was also not allowed during Lughnasadh.

Herbs and symbols

Colours: greens, browns and oranges

Barley- to symbolise earth, wealth and love and for making corn dolls

Hazel Tree- Ruled by Mercury- used in water rites

Hollyhock-to offer to the land- also sacred to faerie

Corn and other fruit and vegetables of the season 

Things you could do at Lughnasadh

• Bake bread and feast
• Think of regrets that have not been released and bake bread into figures that represent your thoughts and burn what you want to release into the fire
• Divorce ceremonies/ or self blessings to deal with past relationships
• Make corn dolls from corn husks, dolls can be used to honour the Goddess, as decoration of the season or as aspects of yourself you wish to burn and release. You can make one corn doll to represent the Grain Goddess and keep it in your home to represent your own personal harvest and joys in your life.
• Weave braids/threads with wheat with an intent of something you are weaving in your life
• Meditation, journey and reflection
• Make gingerbread, eat corn or popcorn
• Write in a diary, or write poetry about what you are farewelling in your own life and what you see as your harvest and the joy building in your life

Alban Heruin

Summer Solstice otherwise known as Alban Heruin to the Celts falls on the 21^st December.  This festive day of joy and happiness is one of the great solar festivals and celebrates the peak of Summer. It is the longest day of the year when the great Sun stands proudly at his highest point in the sky. All across the world great monuments can be found across hundreds of cultures that mark the exact moment of the Solstice sun. Great stones, megaliths, tunnels and monuments have been constructed to honour this specific astronomical moment in time.  The Solstice is the great joyous celebration of light at its brightest.

For me it is the time when the electrical storms fill the sky and the song of cicadas and geckos echo through the night. The Suns warmth and light brings brightness all around us and within us. We walk more outside, meet more with friends, have BBQ’s and enjoy the beach. Sunshine brings strength and inspiration. He warms the Earth and through his strength and energy, life in the Earth Mother is born and nurtured, and She is able to bring fertility and beauty to land and sea, to the depth of Earth soils and to our hearts.

Timing of Solstice

Solstice is derived from Latin and means ‘sun stopping’ or ‘sun standing still’, as midsummer day is the day in which the sun rises and falls in exactly the same position on the horizon, then reverses its path from this day forward as the season changes. The solstices occur because the rotation axis of the Earth is tilted by an angle of 23.5 degrees from the vertical. If the Earth’s rotation was at right angles to the plane of its orbit around the Sun, there would be no solstice days and no seasons. The celebration of the Solstice falls on the cusp between Gemini and Cancer (between 21^st-23^rd December).

Stories of Summer Solstice

Summer Solstice is the celebration of the peak of Summers beauty. It is the climax of the Suns power, when the beauty of the union of the Sun and Moon (God and Goddess) shift the seasons. The Sun God Bel-awn dies in ecstasy with the Summer Goddess. Their power invokes a trance that moves and shifts the world and the seasons from this day forward. Tides turn and his warmth leaves as he departs for the underworld. He sacrifices his life and his energy for the Goddess. It is the turning tide as both God and Goddess have their place and their time for bringing fertility to the land. The Great Mother claims her power, after the energy of the Sun has warmed the Earth, and she now brings fertility to the land. Summer Solstice is also associated with Taranis, King of the Oak Thunder God who brings the Summer rains.

To the Celts Summer Solstice is one of the ‘spirit nights’ (with Samhain and Beltaine). These nights are considered strong nights in which spirits and the faerie realm are most active.

Midsummer fires were lit on hills (closest to the sun) and were viewed as protective to the land, crops and livestock and brought strength and fertility in love. Images of the past winter (such as the Winter Goddess or the Holly King) were burnt on the midsummer fires. Sometimes a mock fight between two men in front of the High Priestess and community took place. The Holly King and Oak King symbolically struggle and the Oak (light) wins.

Dancing in circles is often associated with honouring the Sun. The great Celtic Sun God Bel (Bel-awn or Belinos) and Lugh are often honoured. Also due to the turning of light and dark many Gods and Goddesses that represent both polarities of light and dark are celebrated such as Danu, Anu, Macha, Epona, Aine and Rhiannon.

St Johns Wort or Bels Flower is sacred to the Sun and used widely at Summer Solstice. The beautiful bright Yellow flowers are often used to decorate sacred space. St Johns Wort is considered a common plant and is often growing out of control in several city and country areas.  In old times women would pick the yellow flowers at Solstice dawn. If they placed the dew on their faces from the Suns flower this dawn it was believed they would find love within the year.

Water on Solstice Day

For centuries the old people have bathed in fresh water on Solstice morning, as the Goddess is said to bathe herself in freshwater streams on Solstice eve, blessing all the waters. Some people offer herbs to the water, throw wishes spoken into roses to be carried downstream, or take water from streams to bless their homes and animals. Wash their faces in the morning dew or take and early morning swim. A gold dish of water left out Solstice eve, is called Sun water and considered blessed by both the Water Goddess Sulis and the Sun God Bel.

Dawn rites

Rites of dawn focus on honouring the Father and the Sun .Thanking him for his sacrifice, warmth and energy in nurturing the Earth Mother. Some people burn herbs for the Sun at dawn, and wait for first light welcoming the Solstice Sun with a candle or lantern.

Sunset rites

Farwell the Sun at the exact same point on the horizon and welcome the Moon and the Mother with milk, honey and herbs. Feast together and celebrate abundance, fertility and beauty.

Herbs for Summer Solstice

Lavender-Thrown into the Summer fire ensures a good year: stability, calm, blessings

St Johns Wort-Gathered mid-Summer, herb to honour Sun/Bel, protection, fire

Verbena-Gathered on Midsummer Eve- soaked in water overnight, relieves stress, aphrodisiac, dreaming, protection, honour the sun & inspiration.

Lavender, St Johns Wort and Verbena: Traditionally bound together as a solstice fire offering. Can make wishes for the coming season, or burn something you wish to change.

Chamomile- traditional herb of the sun, relaxing

Elder, Birch, Oak, Ash and thorn- traditional herbs to see Faeries on Solstice night

Fennel- Protects Home, family and Fertility, alibility to face danger/adversity. Gathered Midsummer Eve and hung in the home.

Mistletoe- Mistletoe berries were gathered on Solstice night, legends said the berries infused with the suns power of this night would turn golden and were prized for their healing ability.

Rosemary-enhance memory, protection and purification

Mugwort- Midsummer herb for protection, ritual bathing, women’s herb, dreaming & visions, protection of home and safety in journeys (comp. moonstone & pearls)

Offerings-yellow, orange flowers, sun flowers and fruits, incenses

Things to do on Summer Solstice

- Burn herbs for the Sun and to make wishes for the coming season

- Leave out a dish for Sun water (preferably gold) on Solstice night and bath in the water on Solstice morning

- Throw coins or offering into water or streams on Solstice morning

- Go for a swim in the Solstice waters

- Leave crystals out for cleansing under both the Solstice Sun and the Moon as the season changes

- Light a candle or lantern with the Solstice Sun at Dawn, Welcome his light and his nurturing to the  Earth Mother and give thanks at Sunset as he departs

- Write letters to special men in your life and tell them how they nurture your life

- Watch the sunset and burn herbs in thanks to the Sun God

- After dark place milk, honey and herbs into the ground to welcome the Mother

- Place herbs, cake, honey and incense in the garden for the faeries

- In Celtic tradition some people spent the night before Solstice out on the hills awaiting the dawn and seeking inspiration

- Have friends over and enjoy food and celebrations

- Dance, drum, sing and enjoy

- Get some elderflower cordial (found at most shopping centres and health food stores) and mix with champagne or use for jellys to bring the fun and the sacred together

- Decorate the house with orange and yellow flowers

- Put a big sunflower by your bed or on your work desk

- Light torches, have bon fires or roll a sun wheel lit on fire down a hill

- Light a bonfire to encourage and honour the light of the Sun- do fire jumping for cleansing and new beginnings

- Decorate your altar with sunflowers, marigolds, gold material, orange and yellow crystals and images of the Sun

- Children often enjoy activities such as making decorations with golden tinsel  and images of the sun, making a sun dial and planting sun flowers

- Have a picnic with friends and children and bathe in the sun

- Place mugwort and any other midsummer herbs under your pillow on Solstice night to encourage dreams on this strong night

- Celebrate the light and joy of the sun by hanging lanterns around your home, lighting candles or hanging fairy lights 

MoonCourt Opening:

with a concert
by
Wendy Rule
http://www.wendyrule.com/

@
Bru-na-BigTree
Blue Mountains
Australia
home of PaGaian Cosmology - http://pagaian.org

17th December 2008.

Bookings essential: email Glenys for details – glenys@pagaian.org

The MoonCourt is being built by local craftsperson, Jason Dash, using recycled building materials to produce a cob wall with Solstice windows and an Equinox marker. Its reciprocal roof frame has just recently been put in place. It is a sacred Court for Her rituals of never-ending renewal – the eternal Re-Creation which is represented in the Wheel of the Year, the phases of the Moon and all Being. For the latest photo of the emerging MoonCourt see: http://pagaian.org/forum/viewtopic.php?id=250

History of Beltaine

Beltaine is a Gaelic word for the month of May (meaning bright/shining fire or sun fire). Shining one or bright one is also a term used for Great Bel, Sun God of the Celts. The festival is also referred to as Cetsamhain, meaning “opposite Samhain”, Beltaine’s direct opposite festival in the dark half of the year. It is the luscious fertility tide of the year; it is the celebration of life. It is Bridget’s fire festival, Goddess of fertility, purification, midwifery, fire and sexuality. Eight holy days and tides of the Earth grace the Mothers body. By weaving ourselves into her rhythms we work with the energy of the Earth and speak her song. The rhythm of this season is Beltaine.

As the Earth sprouts forth in deep pregnancy, flowers and seeds bursting from her flesh, she waits…in her most sensual self…the abundance of birth and fertility of the Earth is coming. The ancient ones watched this tide to help the Mother transform from sensual Maiden to fertile Mother to birth; they offered their own fertility to nourish Her. It is the time where union between people and the land brings fertility and abundance to all. We nurture Her and She in turn nurtures us. The fertility is circular, sensual and beautiful.

The old ones at this tide would make love directly on the land under the light of the purifying Beltaine fires. Across the landscape the hills would be alight with fires and love making as couples left their houses and were considering ‘gone-a-maying’, returning at dawn washing their faces with the Beltaine Dew. Rites of pleasure are however no arbitrary act. By offering your body, your pleasure, your fertility and your love, the Earth is nurtured and She breathes in the passion to heal and rejoice. The Priestesses and Priests of the Celtic tribes would invoke the Gods through mortals, and through the ceremony of the Great Rite they would make love under the apple branches to honor and bring love to the Earth. Traditionally within certain ceremonies the Priestesses asked the Priest to kill the King Stag and return to them for the rite. No King could be crowned in Britain without passing this rite of passage with the Priestesses. Children conceived on this sacred night are considered children of the Gods.

It is also a time a unions. Handfastings (Celtic marriage) or renewals of love were often performed this day. Ribbons are bound with promises and tied onto lovers hands. It was also a time of separation between lovers and cutting the binds the no longer bring love.

Beltaine is a time of deep pleasure and joy. Great fires are burnt for purification; sweets and fruits offered to the Earth and burning everything that is no longer needed in your life- so that only pleasure remains.

Timing

Beltaine starts when the Sun enters Taurus and the season turns to light. In the Southern hemisphere Beltaine is October 31^st in the Northern hemisphere is fall on April 30^th, followed by May Day. The month following Beltaine is a time of joy. Beltaine is a cross-quarter day, marking the midpoint in the Sun’s progress between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Beltaine begins the light half of the year.  All fear has been released and for this next month (the mead moon or honeymoon) is the best time for marriage and all sexual taboos are lifted. Newlyweds were given honey to eat during this time to encourage fertility.

Symbols

Roses- sexuality, love and beauty

Oak- thunder gods, guardians, wisdom and fertility, Sky father

Willow- fertility, Lunar, Goddess, water and love

Neroli- for seduction

Marigolds- to cleanse, bless and decorate the Beltaine circle

Almond- love magick

Apples- given to the Goddess as a symbol of her wisdom and love

Pigs- which feed on acorns the symbol of the Goddess wisdom

Hares-for fertility and luck

Bulls- have been associated with Beltaine. As the community used to walk all their livestock between two fires on Beltaine night for purification

Hawthorn –wreaths placed on top of the maypoles to represent the Goddess

Activities of the Beltaine Tide

Make love, feast, drink and dance and deeply enjoy sensuality, pleasure and beauty

Burn purification fires or do fire jumping if you have the ability to have a bonfire, to cleanse your spirit for the Beltaine season. Or you could burn a small fire in a fire proof container and burn writings or symbols of things you would like to let go of.

Indulge in rich wonderful foods that bring you pleasure and joy

Water or fertilize the plants around you, bring them richness and joy

Leave nuts, fruits and apples out on Beltaine night so the animals can also indulge in pleasure and joy to nurture the Earth

Dress in red and fill your home with flowers and beauty

If you have a partner have a romantic dinner at home and tell them from your heart why you are with them. It is a great time for reaffirming relationships and love.

Leave offerings for faeries (milk, cake, honey, herbs and incense burning throughout the garden) Beltaine nights is considered one of the high tide nights in which the veils between the faerie realm and physical world are thin.

Maypole dancing (or November pole dancing in the southern hemisphere) is a traditional fertility dance of Beltaine performed by men and women dancing in opposite directions. Red ribbons held by women (representing their blood and fertility) white ribbons held by men (to represent their semen and fertility) spiraling together to bind fertility magick for the Earth Mother.

Bind red and white ribbons together as a symbol of fertility and tie them to trees with wishes of things you would like to birth in your life

In Britain Hawthorn or Rowan branches which are flowing at this time are brought into the home. If you are in the southern hemisphere watch your local area. For me is the Jacarandas that blooms and burst forth in the week of Beltaine and bring a carpet of lavender to the city floor.  

Whatever ever activities you choose in your life, make sure in this tide of Beltaine you are having some serious fun and pleasure!

The fair maid who, the first of May,
Goes to the fields at break of day
& washes in dew from the hawthorn tree,
Will ever after handsome be.
- English folk rhyme

When the fire of Beltaine is lit in flame and in our bodies -we wake up the fiery heart of the Earth Mother… we nurture her birth and allow her fertility and passion to transform us all

I am back from the Goddess Conference, Gold Coast Australia, filled with joy and tears. Still covered with ochre over my womb, in the marks of Gaia, the blood of the mother. From the moment we walked out in song Priestesses and initiates wearing our deep red cloaks and veils to meet the other great women attending, to the closing spiraling and shrieking witches dance that exploded into laughter and then deep resonance and song to the Earth Mother we were transforming, shedding and working with the Earth. We learnt a lot about drumming the elements and the rhythm and heart beat of the Earth, we heard about the power of Priestessing the Earth. I had the joy of watching how great Priestesses from around the country I have never met before called in the elements, singing in water, laughing in Air. We heard from an Elder Bilawara Lees about Song Lines and Aboriginal culture and the importance of people of Celtic decent stepping up and working their own Indigenous Law to bring balance. Many speakers talked about self love, and a sense of unity and love for both self and Earth. We heard about PaGaianess. Restoring these relationships, learning to receive the love of others and the Earth as well as nurture her. Understanding the relationship is circular and intention is powerful. We danced, we drummed, we chanted, we painted each other and exploded in our wildness. We learnt from Lucy Cavendish that one of the most powerful things you can do is simply grow food. Work with the Mother and begin the relationships with community of sharing food, working with each other. We walked the labyrinth into the Goddess and into ourselves to the great High Priestess and weaver of the conference and GAIA Patricia Corner. A simple yet powerful journey deeply spiraling in, and in, and in again. Now all over for another year until we spin again…
Jodie