 Observed on May 1 and often called May Day, Beltane is a joyous celebration of passion, fertility and new life. Our blessed Mother Earth is now teaming with life and we rush to honor Her reawakening. Given the symbolism of the phallic maypole, this Sabbat is overtly sexual in nature but there are still many ways to celebrate with children.
A favorite tradition on Beltane is to bathe your face in the first drops of dew. Being practical kitchen witches, Scout and I set out washcloths in a bowl and then use that to wipe our faces. This ensures beauty and youthful appearance! So do my Mary Kay products but every little bit helps, doesn't it? Weaving May baskets and wearing flower garlands is another way to celebrate. Perhaps you could pin a small corsage to your shirt for the day if you are too shy to wear fresh flowers in your hair. In the past, the children and I have made brightly colored wreaths out of paper plates and tissue paper. Or you could use a variation of Brighid's Crown (from Imbolc article) and instead of adding candles, add tissue paper blooms! Also try cutting long strips of construction paper and weaving them together to create a basket and then fill it with either live or tissue flowers. Try creating a "goodwill" basket filled with flowers, cookies and teas to give to a grandparent or elderly neighbor. Try creating a "goodwill" basket filled with flowers, oatmeal cookies or bread and teas to give to a grandparent or elderly neighbor. My favorite activity is dancing around the Maypole! Any sort of pole will work, including lampposts, street signs, trees, tether ball poles. Use your imagination! In the past, we have used a sapling in the front of the house. We used crepe paper streamers found at any drugstore or supermarket. Don't buy the cheapest brand because even the more expensive stuff rips and tears. This year, I've decided to create my own reusable, more durable (and more Earth-friendly) Maypole streamers with old sheets and Rit dye! Simply cut the sheets into strips, sew a seam to prevent tearing and then dye any colors you'd like. Holiday Honey Punch Directions: Combine boiling water and honey, stirring to dissolve. Chill. In large punch bowl combine cranberry, orange and lemon juices. Stir in honey mixture. Just before serving add ginger ale, ice cubes and fruit garnish.
OATMEAL LACE COOKIES 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature 1/4 cup all purpose flour 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats (either instant or quick-cooking)
Using electric mixer, beat sugar and butter until well blended. Beat in flour, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir in oats. Cover and refrigerate cookie dough 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough by tablespoonfuls between palms into balls. Place dough balls on baking sheets, spacing 3 1/2 inches apart (cookies will spread during baking). Using bottom of drinking glass as aid, flatten cookies to 1 1/2-inch rounds. Bake until cookies are golden brown, about 11 minutes. Easy Oatmeal Bread 1 packet yeast 2 TBS honey (or molasses) 1 cup instant oatmeal 1TBS butter plus enough to coat pan 1 tsp salt 1cup unbleached flour plus enough for kneading 1 cup whole wheat flour
In a mixing bowl, combine yeast, honey and 1 cup warm water. Let sit until yeast is bubbly (5 minutes). Stir in oats and butter and let sit for 5 minutes.
Add salt and flours, stirring in 1/2 cup at a time. Knead dough into a soft blob, return it to bowl and cover bowl with a damp cloth. let rise until double in bulk (about 30 minutes).
Punch dough down and knead until smooth, adding reserved flour as needed.
Shape into a loaf, place in a buttered loaf pan, cover again and let rise. When loaf has doubled in bulk, place in the oven and bake at 350 for about 45 minutes. Cool for 15 minutes before slicing.
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