Ah, it’s that time of year again! The trees are budding, song birds fill the air with their joyous melody, and many Pagans are celebrating Bealtaine. It’s one of my favorite holidays, mostly because it’s the anniversary of when I first joined with other Pagans to celebrate! Thankfully, that time never involved orgies or anyContinue reading “Portraying Bealtaine in RIVER MAGIC”
Tag Archives: Bealtaine
Three Things Thursday: May Bushes, an Easy Bealtaine Garland, and More to Read,
May Bushes I’m sad that my grove is unable to celebrate Bealtaine in person this year. That means no Maypole, a tradition many modern Pagans enjoy during this holiday season. While not originally an Irish tradition, Maypoles are an import from other European countries like Germany and England. Over the last couple years, I adoptedContinue reading “Three Things Thursday: May Bushes, an Easy Bealtaine Garland, and More to Read,”
Revisions
Some of you know I’m writing a book. I don’t often talk about it here. I haven’t blogged as much recently in part because I spend so much free time working on my story! My novel features contemporary Pagans. There’s a scene at a Bealtaine celebration between two consenting adult characters. That said, I’ve goneContinue reading “Revisions”
First Bealtaine at Our New Home
For the last decade or so, my Bealtaine celebrations have been punctuated by an explosion of green. Every year, I dance the Maypole, all the while taking note of the leaves finally reaching out in praise of sun and rain. This year, I did not dance the Maypole until the weekend after, but I spentContinue reading “First Bealtaine at Our New Home”
Celebrating New Life while Reminded of Death
The transition from winter to spring was marked by a tragedy within my own community and grove. A friend, someone I started studying Paganism with back when I was in college, suddenly passed away. It was very sudden and heartbreaking, especially as he left my friend (his wife), and their daughter on the corporeal realm.Continue reading “Celebrating New Life while Reminded of Death”
Bealtaine with my Grovies
Here are some highlights from Northern Rivers Protogrove’s recent Bealtaine celebration. It was magical!
A Quiet Bealtaine at Home
Bealtaine is one of my favorite holidays. One reason is simply because, unlike the Spring Equinox, Bealtaine truly brings the warmer weather to Northern NY. Another reason for my fondness is that it’s basically my unofficial Pagan anniversary. I don’t know exactly when I started the conversion process, but my first experiences with two Pagan groupsContinue reading “A Quiet Bealtaine at Home”
Exploring Irish Cooking: Butterfly Buns or Fairy Cakes for Bealtaine
It’s been awhile since I posted about my attempts to explore Irish cooking. Since it’s Bealtaine, I figured I should take a peek at some possibilities. I came across Queen Cakes which sounded appropriate, but the author, Dariana Allen, explained that they were usually made for Nollaig Bheag. However, the variation with wee wings felt particularlyContinue reading “Exploring Irish Cooking: Butterfly Buns or Fairy Cakes for Bealtaine”
Mini Bealtaine Fire
Blessed Bealtaine! We don’t have a fire pit at our apartment, so I decided to bring three candles out and light them on this special night. One is my flame keeping candle, one is my altar candle, and the third is one I’m making into my mini bonfire candle! My family lit our sacred fires,Continue reading “Mini Bealtaine Fire”
Dreaming of Green in Winter
For some in America, at least in the North East, Imbolc is a perfect time to consider the rebirth of our gardens. It’s at this time of year that seed catalogs make their happy appearance in our mailboxes, and we begin to browse and dream of green. In the past, I simply dreaming. I put my gardenContinue reading “Dreaming of Green in Winter”
Author M. A. Phillips 