In ancient times, Beltane festivals celebrated the Celtic
sun god, Belenus, and heralded the start of the Celtic summer and growing season.
Beltane (“bright fire”) is a time to celebrate renewal, fertility, and growth. In
the past, the festivals incorporated the protection of herds, crops, and villagers.
Beltane symbols include the maypole, Green Man, May Queen,
bonfires, The Lovers tarot card, May baskets, and May wreaths. Since the
celebration marks the emergence of life after winter’s harshness, let us focus
on three flowers associated with the festival, their symbolism, and their magical
properties.
Hawthorn
Folk names: Whitethorn, Fairy Bush, Hagthorn, May Bush,
Mayflower.
Gender: Masculine.
Planet: Mars.
Element: Fire.
The blossoming of the hawthorn tree marked the start of
Belenus’s festival. Flowering hawthorn sprigs, which symbolize protection and
fertility, would adorn the maypole. (Although conversely, hawthorn leaves
placed under a mattress were thought to promote chastity.) In Britain,
hawthorn, along with ash and oak, is considered sacred to fairies.
Cowslip
Folk names: Arthritica, Fairy Cup, Key Flower, Our Lady’s
Keys.
Gender: Feminine.
Planet Venus.
Element: Water.
Beltane celebrates youthful fertility, and cowslip was
believed to restore or preserve youth. Holding a bunch of cowslip flowers would
help you find hidden treasure. But tossing a ball of cowslip flowers into the
air while naming a profession, would act as a divination ritual. Whichever
profession was shouted when the ball of flowers fell apart would indicate one’s
future career.
Elecampane
Folk names: Elf Dock, Elfwort, Horseheal.
Gender: Masculine.
Planet: Mercury.
Element: Air.
Elecampane is associated with fairies, but when worn or sewn
into a pink sachet, it attracts love. Elecampane can also be carried for
magical protection.
Love, protection, renewal, and fertility are themes woven
like maypole ribbons into every aspect of modern and ancient Beltane festivities.
For more Beltane photos, please visit http://www.pinterest.com/ariellamoon
For an excellent overview of Beltane, I recommend, Jhenah Telyndru's "Beltane: Portal of Transformation"
For an excellent overview of Beltane, I recommend, Jhenah Telyndru's "Beltane: Portal of Transformation"
Don't have a maypole to dance around? You can experience a medieval Beltane festival by reading The Beltane Escape, only $2.99 as an ebook on Kindle, Barnes and Noble, and itunes. Also available in paperback.
Coming soon: The Amber Elixir, a Two Realms Novella, and The Viking Mist, Book 2, The Two Realms Trilogy.
Reviews for The Beltane Escape
“Ms. Moon creates a
magical world and a complex cast of characters that leap right off the page!”
InD’tale Magazine, Crowned Heart for Excellence review.
“…a fast-paced adventure
that is equal parts Harry Potter, Game of Thrones (a PG version) and Alice in
Wonderland.” An iTunes Reader
“Moon
really takes fantasy stories to the next level and I’d recommend this to anyone
that enjoys them.” Haley, A Page Unbound book reviews.
“I want the second one, I
want more of everything. More Fenella, more Wizards, more Fae, more half-Viking
hotties…just more of everything! If this novel has any foreshadowing of how the
rest of the series is going to be, I can’t wait!” Jessica, Taking It One Book
at a Time
Blurb
Lady Fenella, Thaness of Thorburn,
has no idea her fate is shackled to a powerful sorceress. She believes
Merlin and the Lady of the Lake are myths, Gran’s warnings about Fairy are
superstition, and Fairy was invented to make children behave. But a
spell cast forward to sixteenth century Scotland finds Fenella and leads to her
being branded, stolen, and betrothed. Traumatized and separated from her clan,
the Highland heiress finds an unexpected ally in her kidnapper’s son. But their
fragile romance is tested when the Lady of the Lake lures Fenella’s cousin into
Fairy. Fenella has seconds to decide. Should she remain with Edward, or should
she dive into Fairy to rescue her beloved cousin, endangering her clan, and
abandoning Edward to his ruthless father?
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