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Beltane 2015
From Madness to Mindfulness
Celebrating Beltane
Jennifer Rasmussen
I am looking especially forward to Beltane this year. Last year’s garden was the first one we
put in after a gap of a couple of years, but this year’s garden will be more special than any
previous. This year, I purchased seeds from Baker Creek and went to a lovely little seedstarting event at a farm about an hour away. Those seeds are now seedlings and are currently
growing their little hearts out in a mini-greenhouse in my living room while waiting to be
planted out once Beltane arrives. I have never grown our plants from seed before, hence my
anticipation.
To celebrate this occasion, I plan to do a planting ritual similar to the one Patti Wiggington
shares http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/beltaneritesandrituals/a/Beltane-Planting-RitualFor-Solitaries.htm. I will even add my own compost that has been waiting to work its magic
for a very long time. Given my homesteading aspirations, this Sabbat will be quite special
for me.
For this year’s garden, we have green beans, lettuce, onions, sweet peppers, jalapeno
peppers, tomatoes, and carrots. The black raspberry canes are already covered with green
leaves, which will hopefully produce an even better harvest than last year. Since the black
raspberries were put in several years ago, I will still include them in the ritual and conclude
with a blessing of both gardens (there is one on the north side of the house and one on the
south side).
This little celebration I have planned may not seem like much, but it is a step toward getting
more fully immersed in my Craft, which is something I told myself I would work on this
year. How will you celebrate Beltane?
Jennifer is a Witch and a teacher from the northwest suburbs of Illinois. She can often be
found talking to her garden plants, sitting with a crochet needle in one hand and yarn in the
other, or perusing the ‘net for lesson plans. She is co-owner of Leave them in Stitches, which
can be found on Facebook.
Imramma Magazine
Page 2 of 17
Sparkle and Shine
Beltane/May Day
Renee “Sosanna” Olson
This is one of my favorite times of the year. I am partial to fire festivals; the smell of
a roaring bonfire warms my heart and soul. Many celebrate this time as a fertility
festival.
May holds another place in my heart as it is also when I take part in a worldwide
celebration of the Goddess Hecate in The Rite of Her Sacred Fires. Since its
creation in 2010, it has been translated into 24 languages and is performed by
devotees around the world on the first full moon of May each year.
As part of the rite, we recite the Ephesian Letters found throughout the Greek
Magical Papyri. Through translations, we believe it references the goddess.
“Askei Kataskei Eron Oreon Ior Mega Samnyer Baui Phobantia Semne” *
'But I must gather knots of
flowers,
And buds and garlands gay,
For I'm to be Queen o' the
May, mother,
I'm to be Queen o' the May.'
- Alfred Lord Tennyson”
The goal of the rite is to invoke the goddess in celebration of her as a worldwide
community once a year. As a Torchbearer for The Covenant of Hekate, I conduct a
private event on my budding Sanctuary property for the rite. In a few years, I hope
to be able to open up my space to conduct public rituals to the goddess.
A particular phrase in the rite always makes me feel empowered:
The Torchbearers and the Keybearers of your mysteries will always find one
another**
No group is perfect; in every coven there are personality conflicts and issues that
sometimes may make you throw your hands up in the air and run. For the most
part however, I can say that the Covenant of Hekate has a large number of very
devoted members that look forward to creating new content and learning more
about the goddess. We create documents tracing occurrences of her name in
antiquity; we create archives of information related to archeological evidence of her
passage from what could be Asia into the Greek and Roman Pantheon. Never one
to say, no that doesn’t fit, yet we are open to explore new information as it is
discovered and not rely on the modern MMC aspect so recently applied to her.
Working with Hecate has been a source of strength for me. I like to say, I have a
relationship, not a religion. This is something that I cannot emphasize enough. I
take the goddess as traits and characteristics put into human qualities that people
throughout the history of the world have used as a reminder of what they want to
be. I want to be just and fair. I want to be fiery and strong. I want to walk between
the worlds supporting the living and the dead. Giving each the honor and respect
they so richly deserve. On Beltane, light the fires, those fires sacred to her and
celebrate the wisdom of the goddess.
*Greek Magical Papyri
**Passage from the Rite of Her Sacred Fires Ritual
Sosanna is blogger, shop owner and spiritual counselor located in rural North
Carolina.
Page 3 of 17
Imramma Magazine
The Witch’s Way
Building the Circle: Pagan Community
Michele Warch
What makes us whole? We continue the series with Ivo Dominguez:
Q: Where do you see the pagan community's boundaries? A: It is hard to talk about the Pagan community's
boundaries, since for the most part those boundaries are set by individuals rather than being approved by groups of
individuals. Whether or not you see someone as being a part of what you consider to be the Pagan community is
mostly a function of your own self-definition. For myself, if a person acknowledges two or more of the following, I am
likely to consider them a part of my Pagan community:
- An acceptance of the concept of many goddesses and gods.
- A practice that involves working with properties of the universe that are not as of yet recognized by materialist
science.
- A belief in a spiritual essence that exists in all things and beings.
- The use of rituals that celebrate seasonal changes, or specific divine entities, or the stages of life.
- The use of consciousness to change our internal or external reality.
I make more of a distinction between community and Community with a capital “C”, than I do between who is and
who is not a Pagan.
Q: What would you like to manifest regarding our concept of community? A: I would like to see more words to
describe what is now lumped into the one word community. For me, Community consists of people that see each
other regularly in the physical world, not the Internet, and can count upon each other to provide both support and
constructive criticism. It also means being both free and beholden to each other. Having some agreements on
matters of politics, theology, spirituality, activism, art, or an expanded understanding of human sexuality does not
make a Community. It is what we do with and for each other that makes a Community. These other things may be
movements, clubs, organizations, associations, etc., but to me they are not Community.
Q: How would you describe your own tradition in 100 words or less? A: The form of Wicca that the Assembly
practices is syncretic and draws inspiration from Astrology, Qabalah, the Western Magickal Tradition and the folk
religions of Europe. The Assembly is dedicated to the health of Mother Earth, and to all of her children. The source
of the Universe is a unity whose emanations we see as the Goddess and the God. Between human beings and the
ultimate Divine exists a vast ecology of disembodied, or un-embodied, spiritual entities which we work with in order
to promote growth and earthly harmony.
Q: What projects are you currently working on? A: The Assembly will be having the opening of the New Alexandrian
Library (www.newalexandrianlibrary.org) in 2015. The ASW will also be hosting the Between The Worlds conference
March 5-8, 2015 (http://www.sacredwheel.org/BTW2015/). I have a book entitled: Practical Astrology For Witches
And Pagans that will be published by Weiser in 2015. I will also be writing another book in 2015.
Michele is a witch, teacher, and counselor from the mid-Atlantic coast.
Imramma Magazine
Page 4 of 17
Saga’s Cottage
Antler Headband
Loren “Saga” Morris
Beltane Greetings!
This craft that I’m showing you, I completely made up as I am creating it. I wanted to
make an antler headband, and then I wanted a spider web, and THEN I thought I would
like to add in mushrooms and sparkles…..and moss. It’s a bit of whimsy and fun.
Antler Headband by
Loren Morris
Okay, like I said I wanted to make an antler headband, but I’ve never made one. I didn’t
want to use real antlers because they would have been too heavy, so I have once again
turned to polymer clay. I, myself, semi-followed a tutorial for making the antlers.
However, that tutorial was for paper mache and I am not a real big fan of paper mache.
It’s messy. So, I looked at the general instructions and incorporated the design with the
clay. I’ll put the link for the tutorial that I used for the antlers at the bottom of this, in case
you would rather make yours with paper mache. The spider web that I have created, I
absolutely had NO idea what I was doing and I just made it up as I went. I’m pretty happy
with the end look, I think.
To start you will need some aluminum foil, floral tape, and original Sculpey clay. Tear the
aluminum into strips and shape into antlers. Remember to narrow the aluminum going
toward the points of the antlers. I didn’t really do that and mine look a bit bulky. My next
batch I’ll make sure that I do that. You could also make them from just clay and they
would be solid, but that would end up being heavy also. I made mine around 6 inches in
height.
Continue reading:
http://sagascottage.blogspot.com/2015/04/beltane-antler-craft.html
Saga's favorite things are her family, her pets, friends, glitter, and making her home look
like a big giant mural. If it can be painted on, it will be. You can check out her one-of-akind spirit boards on Lapulia.
"Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with
leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year
assumes its gay attire." - Virgil
Page 5 of 17
Imramma Magazine
Tiffany’s Gumbo
The Power of Sex Magick
By Tiffany Newson
When I think of this day, I think of fertility and abundance. This is the time of year sex magick would be in full effect. Sex
magick is very powerful, very old, and not for the unsure. Magick of this kind makes lots of people skittish because it
means all people involved must be open in a way that allows others to see to their inner being. By definition sex magick
is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic, or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. This type of magic
isn't for low vibration mentalities but rather raises ones vibrations and by doing so focuses on the achieved goal.
The most common use for this Magick is to conceive a child, although it can be used for any goal that would benefit from
a fully unified and concentrated boost of energy. The best goddesses for this are Yemaya (if struggling with infertility),
Isis, Hathor, Artemis, and Parvati.
Other ways this Magick can be used for during this time of year is in finances, job opportunities, or other areas where
there might be a drought. As long as all persons involved are focused on the goal.
Sex magick isn't exclusively used with only those with partners. Masturbation can achieve the same energies necessary
and is helpful in starting out to keep one focused without getting lost in the physical side. There are specific crystal
wands that can help amplify the sexual energy.
When performing this type of magick make sure all have discussed and understand what the goal is. Using a picture,
tarot card, or other representation of the desired outcome can help keep all partaking from being lost on the physical
side.
Tiffany's Gumbo was melded together for her love of spice and desire to bring more urban and ethnic flavors to the world.
Want more Broome Shtick?
Visit Rob’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Broome-Shtick/1457812467779372
Page 6 of 17
Imramma Magazine
A Green Witch’s Tea Party
My Beltane Cup of Tea
Rev. Amy Blackthorn
The Fires of Beltane loom on the horizon. Those thick, orange pulses of light beckon from the rolling hills.
You feel the pull of fire, of community, of merriment and yes, sex. The festival of Beltane isn’t just opposite of
Samhain on the Wheel of the Year. It is the polar opposite of the Samhain festival. While we honor our
Beloved Dead at Samhain, this festival is about LIFE. Yes, all caps, life.
Modern life has devolved into a series of screens. We have computer screens at work, the screens of laptops
and cell phones, and even the cameras we use to capture our experience are now filled with screens. For this
feast I want to inspire you to just experience your own tea ritual. Experience it with all of your senses. Relish
the feel of the tea leaves or tea bag between your fingers. Enjoy watching how the tea leaves, herbs, or flowers
have their own dances in the steeping water. Luxuriate in the sound of burbling hot water soaking everything in
its path. Delight in the aromas that surround the tea of your choice.
Many folks who enjoy seasonal flavors for their tea will embrace the spicy chai and bolder flavors in the colder
months and seek out milder flavors in the spring months. This is also my pattern most of the time. The only
exception is during the Fire of Beltane. During the celebration of life, love, fertility and the banishment of the
cold, I need something that reminds me to live life with vim and vigor. I need a spiced blend, usually ginger or
cinnamon, that reminds me that there is a whole world out there waiting to be conquered. I want a black tea
that gives me the aspirations out of an outdoor store commercial.
No matter the tea you enjoy at this time of year, consider taking some time out of your daily routine of going
screen to screen and simply exist in the ritual of making yourself some tea and taking a few moments for
yourself. Don’t worry, you can still brag about it on Facebook tomorrow. :D
Rev. Amy Blackthorn has been described as an "arcane horticulturalist" for her Green Witchcraft, her work as a
Plant Spirit Oracle and her history of teaching the creation of herbal remedies. Amy has 22 years in Paganism.
Amy started her formal schooling in horticulture, herbalism, and agriculture and somehow all of that “higher
education” didn’t stamp out her love for the arcane. Amy opened her own tea shop in Feb 2014 and never
looked back. You can connect with Amy at her website, http:///blackthornhoodooblends.com and like her page
on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/BlackthornHoodooBlends
©2015 Imramma Publications. All rights reserved.
Page 7 of 17
Imramma Magazine
Beneath a Frosty Moon
Festival of Beltane
Snow Moon
Tis that time of year rapidly approaching…the time that our Earth is in full bloom; lush colorful, and green, thanks
to the late spring season. By the time May 1st rolls around it will be the Sabbat of Beltane, a very important Sabbat
and fire festival.
Beltane or May Day means bright fire or lucky fire. During this period, the sun is at 15 degrees Taurus, in the sky.
More common associations with Beltane are that it is a time to celebrate fertility in both humans and animals, while
welcoming the appearance of the matured horned god and Green man spirit.
Magic usually performed at this time is for love, fertility, protection of animals and gardens, while many may
choose to “leap a fire” to ensure a fortunate and abundant summer. Dancing around a maypole adorned in colorful
ribbons is another common activity on this day.
Beltane, (aside from Samhain) is one of the most popular seasonal European festivals, containing both a cultural
and religious focus, which is interesting, as these two are known as the great fire festivals. The ruling planet over
Beltane is Venus, as it is the ruler of Taurus. Beltane is the oldest known holiday and therefore predates all other
Sabbats.
May Day observances and origins are thought to be drawn from two sources: fire rites from Celtic tradition and
flower rites from Roman Floralia. Because this Sabbat takes place under the sun in Taurus, magic tends to last
during this period, as Taurus is a fixed earth sign. Aside from love spells, there are garden spells, bounty spells,
and even protection spells to try during this celebration.
Some choose to tie rowan with red thread and hang it above the bedroom door for protection. This is also an
auspicious time for prosperity work, stability, lifestyle, and home. I would like to share with you one of my Earth
abundance spells written below. I wish all of you many bright Beltane and spring blessings this season and
beyond…
EARTH ABUNDANCE SPELL
I call out to the spirit,
The green man, gnomes and elves,
Forrest fairies dancing,
I beckon thee for wealth.
May abundance grace my hallowed door,
And poverty be gone once more.
Powers of the earth so strong,
Direction of the North,
Shower luck, prosperity,
Please bring my riches forth.
As fertile as the blackest earth,
Please let abundance grow,
Bless my home, ignite my hearth,
I’ll reap what I have sown.
Plant the seeds that I desire,
By earth and air,
By water, fire…
With harm to none and never greed,
Bless us now, with what we need.
Snow Moon ©
Snow Moon started walking the path of the Craft at twelve. She is passionate about reading, writing, celebrating
the Wheel of the Year in every aspect. She also knows her way around the kitchen and loves to share what she
cooks up with friends and family.
Page 8 of 17
Imramma Magazine
We Are All Worth Catching
A Celebratory Dance
Renee Avard
There was a silence so loud
in which the dance of Divinity
was allowed to begin
A celebration of togetherness
it's a time for raising the pole
allow nature's course
The collective secret is shared
as the season has come
for the two to become one
Wearing the flowers
and sharing emotions
dancing commences
Filled with the desires of now
it becomes clear what to do
celebrate fertile wombs
The fires continue flickering
until the moon's light is high
the lovers enable life
© Renee Avard-Furlow
Renee has two books forthcoming and her poetry, Magic Musepirations, and random thoughts can be found at
http://reneeavardfurlow.com .
©2015 Imramma Publications. All rights reserved.
Page 9 of 17
Imramma Magazine
The Muses’ Mouthpiece
Honoring the Spirit of Life
Ciel Luciole
It’s May Day! Or Beltane…or Walpurgisnacht…or Walpurgis Eve…or Roodmas…or Tanas Day…or Floralia…etc,
etc. As with any Sabbat, there are a number of different names attributed to it by the various/differing Pagan
traditions but for the most part the theme remains the same: Passion! Lust! Fertility! And let’s not forget the
prevalence of the Fae and Nature Spirits/Elementals at this time. Celebrations often include large bonfires, May
Poles, and clandestine meetings in the woods to “observe the rites of May”. But I assert that there is more to this
holiday, an underlying meaning to all this passionate, lusty frenzy!
Life. All of this is a celebration of life. This is not a new concept by any stretch of the imagination, but it is one that I
feel is often forgotten. The Earth has fully returned to life by the time May Day rolls around and it’s time to party!
The sun is warm and the world is green and growing again, the Earth is fertile and ripe and we are but mere
reflections of the Earth we live upon, right? So why not get down with the vibe going around? No reason
whatsoever not to. By all means, get down with yo bad self, but while you are at it don’t forget the Spirit of Life that
made all of this possible.
May Day/Beltane is balance to All Hallows/Samhain on the Wheel, and just as I believe in honoring the Spirit of
Death at All Hallows, I also believe it is important to honor the Spirit of Life at May Day. It is the unnamed, and
often unsung, force that brings the Earth back to life after the cold of Winter. It is the force that breathes life into the
newly born and sustains us until it is time to release us to the Spirit of Death. No matter what you call this force, it
is there and deserves to be recognized in the midst of your lusty, passionate, revels.
One tradition that we have started amongst my group as part of honoring the Spirit of Life at this time is the Roll
Call of Life. Just as we call the Roll of the Dead at All Hallows we call the Roll of Life at May Day wherein we
announce the births of those children born to the members of our Grove in the last year and their names are
recorded in the Book of Life of our Grove. It is just one small way we acknowledge and give thanks for the
blessings the Spirit of Life has bestowed upon us in the last year.
By all means, go forth and have yourself a lusty good time this May Day! Burn your fires, dance your May Poles,
and observe all the rites of May! But while you are at it, perhaps take a moment to say thanks to the Spirit of Life
that is underscores all of these celebrations. After all, without it we’d be…well….dead.
Blessed May Day!!
C.L. (Ciel) Luciole is the Founder and Priestess of the Covenant of the Silver Grove and its community offshoot
The Silver Grove Society. She shares her life with a sassy feline and is known in her community for her irreverent
nature. This is no more evident than on her personal blog where she dishes up a weekly dose of sacred snark.
Find Ciel on her blog, http://bewarybitches.wordpress.com/ or her Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/bewarybiotch
Page 10 of 17
Imramma Magazine
Contemplations of a Crone
The Maiden Weds
Jeanne Gripp
Beltane, or May Day, is the time when the Maiden weds the Green Man. The Sun emerges from Winter’s cold
grasp, bringing warmth and the promise of renewal to the Earth Mother. Flowers are abundant. Trees show their
joy by donning blossoms of pink, yellow and white and sporting a fragrance sure to entice the bees to stop and flirt.
Beltane is opposite Samhain in the circle of Sabbats and it is a time to honor Life – just as Samhain is a time to
honor death. It is also a time when the veil is thin. Magic is afoot at this time of year. Now is when the Fae Folk
emerge from their Winter’s realm, frolicking through the hills and parks. Offerings for the Wee Ones will be
favorably looked upon. Oatmeal cookies, honey or milk may be left in the enchanted areas of one’s yard or home
for blessings of abundance in the coming months.
A tradition of my childhood was the May Basket. My mom would take a small milk carton - the kind found in school
cafeterias - cut the top off and I would paint and decorate. It would then be filled with lovely flowers from the
garden and I would quietly place it on a neighbor's doorstep. The exciting part was the knock on the door and a
quick run to hide behind a nearby bush so that I might watch the neighbor open the door to a lovely surprise. Now,
I am sure the neighbors probably knew who had placed the flowers on their stoop, though, to my child self I felt
quite stealthy.
While the community I grew up in was religious, in grade school we celebrated the holidays with many 'Old World'
activities. I can remember dancing around the Maypole with ribbons and flowers woven into the braids in my hair.
We girls would twine the ribbon while the boys stood to the side, looking totally bored, wearing crowns of flowers.
Another school activity was the tying of colorful yarn on a bare branch. Each class would then parade their ‘tree’
around the school yard. It wasn’t until I was much older that I discovered this practice actually dated back to older
times when wishes were written on cloth fabric and then tied to the branches of a tree. It was believed that the Fae
Folk would read those wishes and grant those that they felt were most deserving. Today, this same activity has
been incorporated into my family’s Beltane activities. We rise at dawn on Beltane and wash our faces with the dew
of the morning (or snow, depending on Mother Nature’s mood), then we tie our wishes, which have been written on
small pieces of paper, to the branches of an Elm with colorful yarn. We chose an Elm because of the maternal
influence of Elm trees. But you may choose any tree which speaks to you. Washing with the dew of Beltane will
bring beauty and grace. Beltane Blessings!
Jeanne Gripp is a Mixed Media and Sculptural Artist, Subtle Energy Worker and Dowser who lives in the heart of
the Colorado Rockies. An Animist, Jeanne is also the Keeper of the blog, The Candy Corn Chronicles.
©2015 Imramma Publications. All rights reserved.
Page 11 of 17
Imramma Magazine
There and Back a-Hen: Just a Bunch of Clucking
Nonsense
Beltane on a Budget
Melissa “Chicky” Cassick
I feel simply horrid that I haven’t the resources to jet off to the British Isles this year to celebrate Beltane in
the proper fashion. Come to think of it, I haven’t had resources to do that the last 45 Beltanes, either. Never
mind. There are lots of fun things you can do if you’re on a budget (like me) or lack a forested hillside (like
me) or put off preparations until the night before (yeah…also me.)
Beltane needs bonfires! Some cultures would build two, and lead the farm animals between them, asking for
blessings of fertility. I don’t need any more of that, thank you, but one can prance between the flames for the
sake of the general fecundity of the world at large. We have an outdoor fireplace that uses gel fuel and thus
breaks no town ordinances. If you can have a real bonfire, you might try a new tradition.
Write your relationship goals for the year - or if you are single and looking, write down the attributes you want
in a lover. (You cannot just write “Tom Hiddleston”.) Toss them on the bonfire, and send them up with the
smoke.
My two youngest beasties enjoy seasonal activities. We haven’t room for a Maypole (I never even bothered
to check town ordinances on that.) A paper towel tube can make a portable Maypole for anyone who wants
to run around waving one. Color the outside, and glue some colored ribbons or crepe paper inside the rim.
Presto! A pole worthy of any May Queen!
Kids can also make a May Basket out of construction paper, using green paper strips or pipe cleaners for
stems. My son made one for me ten years ago. Though admittedly faded, it still holds a place of honor above
my bedroom mirror.
You can get a ring toss set in any toy department, and it makes an ideal game for Beltane. If the posts are
bland, you can paint them the night before. Your youngest merry-makers need not know the symbolism yet.
We’ll just wink over their heads.
Hanging ribbons on a hawthorn tree is traditional - each ribbon represents a wish. I tried it, but park
personnel chased me out (shouldn’t have done it skyclad.) We have lilacs in the backyard, so we use those
instead. If you choose to hang ribbons on any public land, use narrow strips of biodegradable trail marking
tape.
Let’s not forget we are celebrating a wedding! You need a willing (or unwilling but bribable) May Queen and
Green Man. Crowns can be made from flowers and leaves. Younger actors might want to make their own
from paper and glitter. (Children are the easiest ones to bribe.) Pay-off comes in the form of a small wedding
cake for the newly crowned couple to share.
We love our traditions, but traditions are as malleable as the people who practice them. You can make your
holiday as sacred, as joyful, and as frugal as you like!
Chicky lives with her beloved husband in a farmhouse in the city, where she raises herbs, guinea pigs, and
children. She sews, crochets, and can cut with big girl scissors. In her spare minute each day, she writes
short stories, poems, and parodies. She worships the Earth, finding the location convenient.
Page 12 of 17
Imramma Magazine
The Magical Gardener
Mother Earth Awakens
Johanna Lawson
The Wheel of the Year is turning to Beltane, when the world begins to burst with life. It is nature’s lusty time of
year. The birds are pairing up and nesting. Everything is green and lush, dotted with the vibrant colors of spring as
flowers unfurl their petals to reveal their individual beauty, their sweetness luring the bees and butterflies. The
warmth and radiance of the sun is growing each day and the darkness is waning. All life is in the midst of an
intimate dance and The Lord of the Green and Mother Earth are locked in a passionate embrace.
I can see them there, out in my garden. She is voluptuous, like the hills and valleys of the world and adorned in the
green of new grass and the clear blue of the oceans. The vibrant reds, pinks, purples and yellows of flowers float in
her hair, dark brown, nearly black, like rich soil, and flowing around her. The silver of the moon radiates from her
skin. He is majestic, tall and strong like the oak tree, his arms and legs entwined with grapevines and ivy. His
mane of hair is thick, slightly curly, the color a mixture of bark and wheat, and encircles the great antlers upon his
head. He shimmers with the gold of the sun. They whisper words of love to each other in the language of nature –
the buzzing of bees, the sigh of the wind, the creaking of tree branches, the chirping of birds, the crackle of fire,
and the flowing of water. Between them sparks the light of love, passion and life.
In celebration of this joyous union, work in the garden is to be put aside and I will spend much of the day outdoors,
gathering the first of the spring flowers and blessing my gardens for an abundant growing season. I will rejoice in
all the new growth, both in the garden and in my life, as I walk my favorite path through the local park. I will return
home to decorate my altar with the gifts nature gives me along the way. As the day wanes, the first fire of the
season will be started in my patio fire pit, rekindling my passions, my creativity, and my lust for life. And what would
Beltane be without some dancing? There must always be dancing on Beltane, whether it is around a maypole or
around a fire or through my gardens.
As the night draws to a close, I will see the Lord of the Green and the Queen of the May settle into their slumber
after a day of reveling in love and in life, in the scents and sounds of spring, in each other, and I too will settle in to
the sweet embrace of my own Lord of the Green and to dreams of beautiful blossoms, trees heavy with leaves,
rich fertile soil, walking barefoot in the grass, and the intimate dance of life.
Beltane Blessings to all!
Johanna Lawson is a witch, a Mother Earth devotee, a magical and certified Master Gardener, a blogger and
published writer, an activist, a wife and mom, and a domestic goddess, among the many other roles of this life.
You can follow her journeys in these roles at her blog, entitled “Village Wise Woman”, at http://johannavillagewisewoman.blogspot.com
"What is so sweet and dear
As a prosperous morn in May,
The confident prime of the day,
And the dauntless youth of the year,
When nothing that asks for bliss,
Asking aright, is denied,
And half of the world a bridegroom is,
And half of the world a bride?"
- William Watson, Ode in May, 1880
©2015 Imramma Publications. All rights reserved.
Page 13 of 17
Imramma Magazine
The Witches’ Cupboard
Ostara
Autumn Earthsong
Blessed Beltane friends! I’m sure many of you are feeling wonderful that Beltane is
here, that spring is in full swing and we have longer days and warmer weather to look forward to as summer
comes. The foods that represent Beltane are: dairy, honey, oats, red fruits, herbal salads, May wine, red/pink
wine, fruit punch, large round oatmeal cakes, and sweets. That is a wonderful list of foods with lots of delicious
recipe possibilities. I picked out a few for you of my favorites ☺
Honey Apricot Punch
1/2 cup honey
2 cups apricot nectar
1/2 cup water
1 cup vodka
Juice of two lemons
One bottle sparkling apple juice
Dissolve honey in boiling water. Let cool, then pour into a pitcher. Add the lemon juice, apricot
nectar and vodka, stir well. Chill. Add a bottle of sparkling apple juice to the pitcher. Serve over ice
with lemon slices.
Oatmeal Cake with Coconut Frosting
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 1/2 cups boiling water
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
Frosting:
6 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup coconut
1/4 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350* Add boiling water to oats; Stir slightly and let stand for 20 minutes.
Mix brown sugar, sugar, and butter. Stir in eggs. Add oat mixture and stir. Mix in remaining cake ingredients.
Pour into greased 13” x 9” inch pan. Bake for 35-40 mins until golden brown.
For frosting- In a small saucepan, melt butter, sugar, and evaporated milk. Cook until bubbles and remove from
heat. Add coconut, walnuts, and vanilla and stir. Pour immediately onto slightly cooled cake.
SOUR CREAM DIP FOR FRESH FRUIT
1/8 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
2 Tbsp sugar
1 cup dairy sour cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp rum or rum extract
Mix cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. Stir into sour cream. Add extracts and mix well. Chill 2 hours to allow flavors to
blend. Serve with fresh fruit – cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, bananas etc.
These recipes cover oats, oat cake, dairy and honey. Serve those red fruits with the fruit dip too! And don’t forget
some wine…definitely wine! I’m wishing you and yours a very Happy Beltane!
Autumn Earthsong is our resident Kitchen Witch and will have lots of delicious recipes for you to try. She’s been
the recipe writer for Samhain’s Sirens for two years now; and has been our Herbal Witch for The Sunday Stew as
well. She loves to cook for her family and friends, as well as growing her own herbs and studying to be an
herbalist. She believes that you can imbue a lot of Magick and good intentions and healing herbs into your food for
your family and friends. As a wife, mom and Nana she does that for her own family too. You can also find her
blog at http://www.autumnearthsong.com
Page 14 of 17
Imramma Magazine
The Secret Life of the American Witch
Bealtaine
By Kallan Kennedy
Whole and to Herself; She is sovereign, wild, solitary, and salacious. She needs no one to create this, but she
welcomes his company just the same.
He is tall, tattooed, virile, and vociferous. He arrives with an appetite for all things living, but in particular, he
relishes her form.
They begin to encircle the fire; a stalker’s dance, measuring the other’s size and strength, as two equally
dangerous predators. If weakness is sensed, there will be no union.
The forest is filled with a cacophony of bird, frog and cricket song, swelling in volume as the intensity of this
warrior-dance increases. The flames begin to synchronize with their movement. They have not averted their gaze
from one another for hours. Circling, circling, awaiting the signal- the perfect moment.
They entwine and become one, consuming voraciously. Their power is beyond measure now, and in a blinding
moment, it permeates every creature around them. This is the rite of fertility, and it will feed them all through the
summer.
Silence. They decouple and part ways without a sound. The forest is hushed in reverent afterglow.
It is finished.
Kallan Kennedy is a Celtic-American Witch from the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. She is a writer, educator, public
speaker and Morrigan-child. You can find her blogging at theamericanwitch.org or here at imramma.com.
©2015 Imramma Publications. All rights reserved.
Page 15 of 17
Imramma Magazine
Kids’ Coloring Page Beltane Fires
Page 16 of 17
Imramma Magazine
LaPulia Studios Book of Shadows Pages
Beltane
Rita Digilova
Here are the LaPulia Studios Beltane pages for your Book of Shadows!
LaPulia is dedicated to create your custom-personalized family heirloom Book of
Shadows and by using only archival grade acid-free materials, and binding them in
highest quality genuine leather, we achieve unparalleled quality and durability of our Books.
These books are designed to last for many centuries to come and preserve your family legacy within its pages. We
are so confident in our craftsmanship and quality of materials, that if your Book fails for any reason, we will fix or
replace it no questions asked.
You can choose from the world’s largest selection of leather bound Book of Shadows, Grimoires and Magical
Witchcraft Books. If you cannot find Book of Shadows or Grimoire you like, we can create a custom Book of
Shadows heirloom according to your personal specifications and preferences.
Before we ship, we perform a s special Book Blessing ceremony where we infuse and charge all of our Books with
the magical energy so it becomes a powerful magical artifact needed to serve its owner. Therefore our Book of
Shadows and Grimoires create strong connections with their new owners and will activate and grow their magical
consciousness.
We are dedicated to making your dream Book of Shadows and Magic Grimoire come true.
Shop with confidence and if you have any questions please do not hesitate and call or email us. We would love to
serve your needs.
To download, go to http://lapuliabookofshadows.com/magick-spells-pages-gallery/
©2015 Imramma Publications. All rights reserved.
Page 17 of 17
Imramma.com
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Imramma Magazine
About Imramma Magazine
Imramma Magazine is a free, e-publication serving the Pagan and Witchcraft
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