Spirituality and Sorcery

  Beltane, also spelled Beltaine, is the Gaelic name for either the month of May or the festival that takes place on the first day of May. It is the third of the three spring fertility festivals on the Wiccan Wheel of the Year.  The other two spring fertility festivals being Imbolog and Ostara respectively. Beltane is a cross-quarter, on the Wheel of the Year,  marking the midpoint in the Sun's progress between the vernal equinox  (Ostara) and summer solstice (Litha).  Beltane stands opposite Samhain on the wheel, as two very important celebrations. Beltane, also known as May Day,  which is derived from the Irish Gaelic 'Bealtaine' or the Scottish Gaelic 'Bealtuinn', meaning 'Bel-fire', the fire of the Celtic god of light (Bel, Beli or Belinus). He, in turn, may be traced to the Middle Eastern god Baal. May Day , of course resides in the month of May which is named of the goddess Maia, a Greek mountain nymph.  Maia is iden...

Ēostre and  Ostara Fresh green grasses soft under our feet Downy yellow chickadee's chirp and peep Blooms spring forth from budding stems As sleep is shaken from those hibernating in dens White, pink, lavender, yellow and peach The colors of rainbows within our reach! A swath of your hand and wink from your eye The hard, dead winter waves it's last good bye. Awakening, and stretching the inhabitants of the glade Revel joyfully in your work, your plans well laid. Beautiful, gracious Eoster, Maiden of Spring We call to you lady, growth and fertility do you bring! Equal does time stand, as night gives it's way Thus the Sun rides high waxing to Solstice Day! Joyful ! Fulfilled, Spring plants and Vegetables sprout We thank you Lady for the bounty which will be wrought. Eoster, Gentle Maiden  of  Spring Sunshine, warmth  and rain do you bring Joy, love, life and sustenance to us Lovely maid...