Beltane gift or not?

Beltane is coming up for us Pagans on May 1st. It i incorporates traditions from the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, but it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as May pole dancing). Beltane has long been celebrated with feasts and rituals. The name means fire of Bel; Belinos being one name for the Sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate. As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood prevails. In old Celtic traditions it was a time of unabashed sexuality and promiscuity where marriages of a year and a day could be undertaken but it is rarely observed in that manner in modern times. 

I have noticed that people have been asking around the Internet if you give someone a gift on Beltane like you do for Ostara. This could be a touchy subject for some. Not all Pagans celebrate Beltane, even though it is one of the major 8 sabbats. If fact, not all Pagans celebrate any of the sabbats. It depends on the person. You don't want to offend a them, especially if their views are grossly different than yours.

If you are 100% sure, then sure, give them a gift if you feel the need. But on Beltane, a gift isn't necessary. If you want to include them in your celebrations, ask them to join in your ritual. One thing I do warn is make sure that you are close to them as a Beltane ritual can be pretty intimate. If you're not close to them but still want them to be part of your Beltane, make a donation to their favorite charity. This way you are not making them uncomfortable in any way and you are helping the world.

If they don't mind receiving a gift but don't know what to get them, do a search for Beltane gifts and find the one that fits them most, not one you "think" they'll like.

Spring is Afoot!- Info

Any section marked with an asterisk (*) is via Witchology.com.

I was curious about what makes the first day of Spring the equinox. So I thought I would share my findings!


An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth's axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the center of the Sun being in the same plane as the Earth's equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name "equinox" is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day have approximately equal length. (I personally was not aware of that.)

* Today, Ostara is one of the eight major holidays, sabbats or festivals of Wicca. It is celebrated on the Spring Equinox, which in the northern hemisphere is around the 20th or 21st of March and in the southern hemisphere around the 23rd of September. But many other religions also celebrate the Spring Equinox, under another title, of course.

* Etymologically, Eostre, or, as it is sometimes called, Ostara, may come from the word 'east', meaning dawn. Others have also tried to link Eostre with 'estrogen' and 'estrus'. These words, however, are more widely considered to be derived from the Greek oistros, meaning 'gadfly' or 'frenzy'. Interestingly, the word 'spring' (from to spring, to leap or jump up, burst out, 0ld English springan, a common Teutonic word, ccompare German springen), primarily the act of springing or leaping, is applied to the season of the year in which plant life begins to bud and shoot.

Goddesses: Virgin Goddesses, Moon Goddesses, Goddesses of Love, Androgynous Deities, some Fertility Goddesses. Some Ostara Goddesses are: Aphrodite (Greek), Eostre (Teutonic), Ma-Ku (Chinese), Lady of the Lake (Welsh-Cornish), Minerva (Roman), Isis (Egyptian), Rheda (Anglo-Saxon), Coatlicue (Aztec).

Gods: Gods of Love, Moon Gods, Gods of Song & Dance, some Fertility Gods. Some Ostara Gods are: Adonis (Greek), Lord of the Greenwood (English), Ovis (Roman Etruscan), Dylan (Welsh), Odin (Norse), Osiris (Egyptian), Attis (Persian), Mithras (Greco Persian). 

Altar decorations: Colored eggs, seeds, earth, flowers and herbs appropriate

Traditions:  Planting seeds, working on magickal or herbal gardens, herbal work, taking walks through gardens, parks, woodlands, decorating and coloring eggs.
Foods: Eggs, honey, bread, seeds, sprouts and green leafy vegetables 

Drinks: Eggnog, wines, dandelion, linden teas,hyssop

Flowers And Herbs: all spring flowers. Irish moss,crocus flowers, daffodils, Easter lilies, honeysuckle, iris, jasmine, roses, strawberry, tansy and violets. Acorn, Celandine, Cinquefoil, Dandelion, Dogwood, Honeysuckle, Iris, Jasmine, Rose, Tansy, Violet

Incense: Floral of any type. jasmine, African violet, rose, sage, strawberry, violet flowers, orange peel, rose petals, lotus, magnolia, ginger .

Oils: Magnolia, ginger, lotus.

Colors: all pastels, yellow, pink, green, blue

Stones: Rose quartz, aquamarine, amethyst, jasper and moonstone.

Animal: Hares, rabbits, snakes, unicorn, Pegasus