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Protecting home and fortune: Irish folk customs for Bealtaine
Bealtaine, also known as May Day, marked a pivotal point in the Irish calendar. It signified the arrival of summer, a time of light, warmth, and the promise of a bountiful season ahead. However, Bealtaine also held a sense of unease. This was a time when the boundary between our world and the Otherworld thinned, inviting the potential for both blessings and misfortune from the unpredictable Good Neighbors. To navigate this delicate balance, people turned to time-honored traditions and a heightened awareness of the risks of everyday life.
Appeasing the Good Neighbors
On Bealtaine, it was widely believed that the Good Neighbors became particularly active. To ensure their goodwill and prevent them from causing mischief, people would leave out food and drink as offerings. The belief was that the the Good Neighbors were attracted to these offerings and would be less likely to cause trouble if they were satisfied.
You all know May is the month of the fairies. Great people or men that lived long ago rises from their graves on every night in the month of May to fight the old battles that they fought long ago these men are called fairies. The bad fairies do great harm and trouble in the month of May they kill cattle take away milk and butter from the cows and alot of other mischief. Source
"The fairies come around our houses too to do mischief as well as they come to the cattle; you should sweep the hearth very clean and leave food aside for them. If you don't the fairies will come when you are asleep and will torment you by tricking you or pinching you." Source
Primrose
Primrose was believed to ward off the Good Neighbors, and scattering them in the doorways and window sills of the home created a barrier no troublesome spirit could cross.
"During the first three days [of May] fairies entered the house. They came disguised as old men or women in order to steal coals and in order to prevent them primroses were scattered on the doorway no fairy could pass this flower." Source
"The best preventive of fairy power was to scatter primroses on the threshold, for no one could pass the flowers and and the house and house-hold were left in peace." Source
"Guard the house by a string of primroses across the door on the first three days of May. The fairies can pass neither over nor under the string." Source
Rowan
This tree was seen as potent protection against otherworldly forces. A branch hung above a cow's stable door could ward off those who might steal the milk, ensuring the cow's blessing for the year. Branches decorated with spring flowers were also placed around the house for a bit of extra good luck.
On May Day before sunrise the eldest member of the family gets up, he goes out, pulls a branch of the rowan tree and hangs it over the cow's stable door. This is done to prevent the fairies from taking any of the milk from the cows. Source
Another custom is to get a branch of Rowan tree and decorate it with may flowers and primroses and leave it in the middin standing. Then strew may-flowers into each outhouse door and on the doorstep and in the windowsills. This is to welcome the good fairies so that there will be good luck round the year. Source
If you put a rowan tree up the Chimney nothing can bring the butter out of the house. Source
The May bush: blessing and protection
The May bush was a common custom in Ireland, particularly in Leinster, South and West Ulster, and some areas of Munster and Connaught. The May bush often featured hawthorn branches brought home and decorated with flowers, ribbons, and colorful eggshells saved from Easter.
The May bush was believed to protect the home from evil spirits, particularly fairies and witches. It was also thought to bring good luck and prosperity, especially in relation to milk and butter production.
It is a great custom also to make a May bush on May day. This consists of a bush, which is put standing in the dungpit. The bush is decorated with flowers and eggshells. The eggshells are kept after Easter Sunday. Source
On May morning a Maybush was placed outside each house. It usually was a yellow furze bush with a number of eggshells stuck on the thorns. Source
The people around this place make May-bushes on the first of May. They pull a bush and gather flowers and tie them on to the bush with strings and stick it on the ground and after that they say their prayers around it to honour our Blessed Mother and they make a little Altar and put flowers every day on it during May. The people long ago used to make May-bushes and they also used to make a little Altar. Source
The evening before the first of May the people go out and get a piece of a certain tree which they call May Pole. They put this bush outside the door and they put all the egg shells they had on Easter Sunday on it. They also put a lot of flowers out side too. If the people do not put up the May Pole the fairies will come. They also tie May Pole to the cow's tail and if they do not, the fairies come and take the milk from the cow. Source
Guarding your luck
Bealtaine is a time that came with a heightened fear that any careless act could invite bad luck for the whole year. During Bealtaine, even seemingly simple acts held risk.
Giving away even staples like milk, butter, or coins risked also surrendering your good fortune. Lending a tool or sharing even a hot coal from your hearth could lead to unexpected misfortune.
On May eve no one cares to give away any milk or butter fearing their luck would be taken. Source
Long ago the people used to have a large number of pisreogs on May day...They would not give away anything to anybody on May day, only to a beggar man. When he would come in they would give him great welcome. They would say he was bringing in the good luck. The old people would not allow anybody to bring fire outside the door. Everybody would have matches on May day. The old people would not allow any fire outside the door. Source
On May Eve or May Day nothing is given out of the house. Source
They considered it unlucky to give butter or milk way to any person on May Day as they would be giving away their luck. No stables were to be cleaned out on that day. The first person to go to the well in the morning was supposed to have luck for the rest of the year. It is not right to give money to anyone on that day. But if you get money on that day you will be getting it for the year. Source
The people of the house do not put out the ashes on that day or if a person asked for a coal they would be refused. Source
Another custom of the Irish, they would not lend any article or give either milk or food even to beggars. They would not light a fire on May Day until it was late in the day for fear that the people would see the smoke and would bring the butter. Source
The customs surrounding Bealtaine offer a fascinating glimpse into the rich tapestry of Irish folklore and the enduring human desire to shape our luck through ritual and tradition. Whether leaving offerings to appease unseen spirits, scattering flowers as wards against misfortune, or cautiously guarding their possessions, people sought to influence the unseen forces that shaped their lives. These traditions, born in a different time, speak to a fundamental human desire for control, for a sense of agency in the face of an uncertain world. While the specific fears and beliefs may have shifted, the impulse to use ritual and superstition as a means of navigating life's unpredictability remains surprisingly relatable.
#Bealtaine#beltane#may day#irish folklore#celtic paganism#irish paganism#irish pagan#pagan#paganism#witchcraft#witchblr
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#wheel of the year#etsy#print#yule#imbolc#ostara#beltane#midsommar#midsummer#lammas#mabon#samhain#pagan witch#pagan#paganism#paganblr#witch
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happy beltane & may day! 🌿
#my art#artists on tumblr#illustration#art#beltane#bealtaine#folk art#procreate#cottagecore#maypole#may day#quilt borders#goat
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Arthur is send to the druids to spy on their leader.
Arthur: But father! You said the druids are "free spirits". What if they demand "favors"?
Uther: you will do whatever is necessary for Camelots safety
Arthur: *bows awkwardly* yes, father.
Later
Merlin: so... You want to become a druid
Arthur: yes
Merlin: ... Okay. :) want some food? You're coming right in time for Beltane. Do you want to partake?
Arthur: I... I have a choice?
Merlin: who in their right mind would come here if they thought they didn't? No no. You can spend the time in your tent If you prefer.
Arthur: *looking at Merlin* or yours?
Merlin: *scanning arthur Back* or mine
Later
Arthur, in his mind: yes, I am doing all of this for Camelot. I am learning all their ways and become part of the tribe. I am doing my best performances in every daily task! I will become the perfect bride to their leader....
Uther, upon meeting Arthur: and what have you learned about their plans against camelot?
Arthur, flower crown in hair: their what
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Beltane (May 1st) is almost here, we celebrate spring being at its peak and everything around us being in bloom.
The sun is shining bright again, and the days are now longer.
Beltane correspondences:
Symbols | bonfire, lots of candles, sun, flowers and flower crowns, maypoles, colored ribbons
Colors | yellow, white, green, pink, reds
Spells | fertility, love, cleansing, spellss for creativity and beauty
Crystals | rose quartz, carnelian, jasper
Herbs and flowers | tulips, violets, mint, rosemary
Foods to make | salad, cake or pie, dishes with honey, breads, nuts
How to celebrate | Light a bonfire, go out in nature, make love, dancing, make a maypole
#bealtaine#beltane#mayday#witchy#witchy things#witchyvibes#witches#witch#whimsigoth#whimsigothic#witchythings#moon#whimsical#witchcraft#witch aesthetic#witch community#witchcraft community#witches of tumblr#magick#pagan#spring#wheel of the year#maypole
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Hello witches!
I bring you the 2023 calendar for the remaining months ☆ﾟ. * ･ ｡ﾟ
How are you holding up mid-mercury retrograde?
This year I just added the Planet Oppositions because there are a few of them in the later months of the year and I wanted to research them.
This is a Northern Hemisphere calendar and specific dates may vary due to different time zones, so always do your research for your specific region.
And if you find any mistakes or anything do add it if you reblog, so I can keep it in mind for future calendars!
See you in the full moon!!
#witches calendar#moon#witch#witchcraft#wheel of the year#pagan#new moon#full moon#zodiac signs#sun#witchystuff#beltane#samhain#calendar 2023#2020#planets#potion#spell
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Artist:
Lavestalu
“Walpurgis Night”
✨🌜🔥🌛✨
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Flowers from the garden on a rainy day.
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Beltane, Walpurgis Night (Walpurgisnacht), and May Day illustrations by Iren Horrors
This artist on Instagram
#art#illustration#digital art#dark art#pagan#witch#beltane#walpurgisnacht#may day#fantasy#mythology#folklore#demon#wings#horns
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Wheel of the Year Art Prints by ofcraftsandcurios
Mabon // Lughnasadh // Litha // Beltane // Ostara // Imbolc
#art#art print#wheel of the year#pagan#pagan holidays#mabon#lughnasadh#litha#beltane#ostara#imbolc#samhain#yule#witchy#witchcraft#witchy art#drawing#illustration
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Sabbats Masterpost
The History of Samhain
Samhain Facts
Samhain Correspondences
Samhain Crystals
Samhain Colors
Samhain Plants
Samhain Incense & Oils
Samhain Animals
Samhain Foods
Samhain Ritual & Magick
Samhain Deities
Samhain Altar Ideas
Samhain Activities
Last Minute Samhain Ideas
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The History of Mabon
Mabon Facts
Mabon Correspondences
Mabon Crystals
Mabon Colors
Mabon Plants
Mabon Oils & Incense
Mabon Animals
Mabon Foods
Mabon Ritual & Magick
Mabon Deities
Mabon Altar
Mabon Activities
Last Minute Mabon Ideas
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Lughnasadh/Lammas History
Lughnasadh/Lammas Facts
Lughnasadh/Lammas Correspondences
Lughnasadh/Lammas Crystals
Lughnasadh/Lammas Colors
Lughnasadh/Lammas Plants
Lughnasadh/Lammas Incense & Oils
Lughnasadh/Lammas Animals
Lughnasadh/Lammas Food
Lughnasadh/Lammas Ritual & Magick
Lughnasadh & Lammas Deities
Lughnasadh & Lammas Altar Ideas
Lughnasadh & Lammas Activities
Last minute Lammas Ideas
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Litha History
Litha Facts
Litha Correspondences
Litha Crystals
Litha Incense & Oils
Litha Colors
Litha Plants
Litha Animals
Litha Foods
Litha Deities
Litha Altar Ideas
Litha Ritual & Magick
Litha Activities
Last Minute Litha Ideas
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The History of Beltane
Beltane Facts
Beltane Correspondences
Beltane Incense & Oils
Beltane Colors
Beltane Crystals
Beltane Plants
Beltane Animals
Beltane Altar
Beltane Food
Beltane Deities
Beltane Ritual & Magick
Beltane Activities
Last Minute Beltane Ideas
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Ostara History
Ostara Facts
Ostara Correspondences
Ostara Colors
Ostara Crystals
Ostara Incense & Oils
Ostara Plants
Ostara Animals
Ostara Food
Ostara Altar Ideas
Ostara Ritual & Magick
Ostara Deities
Ostara Activities
Last Minute Ostara Ideas
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The History of Imbolc
Imbolc Facts
Imbolc Correspondenses
Imbolc Colors
Imbolc Crystals
Imbolc Incense & Oils
Imbolc Plants
Imbolc Animals
Imbolc Food
Imbolc Altar
Imbolc Ritual & Magick
Imbolc Deities
Imbolc Activities
Last Minute Imbolc Ideas
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The History of Yule
Yule Facts
Yule Correspondences
Yule Crystals
Yule Colors
Yule Plants
Yule Incense & Oils
Yule Animals
Yule Foods
Yule Ritual & Magick
Yule Deities
Yule Altar
Yule Activities
Last Minute Yule Ideas
#sabbat#esbat#samhain#mabon#lammas#lughnasadh#wicca#witch#pagan#heathen#shaman#beginner witch#litha#beltane#yuichiro matsumoto#ostara#imbolc
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✨🌱🌸 Blessed Beltane 🌸🌱✨
#witch#witchcraft#pagan#nature#witchy#magic#traditional witchcraft#magick#wicca#witchblr#witchy woman#witches of tumblr#wiccan#Beltane#walpurgisnacht#walpurgis night#sabba#sabbath
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Witchcraft websites: “Ostara is a great time to plant seeds and prepare the garden!”
My home at this time of year:
#happy spring equinox!#personal#pagan holidays#holidays#spring#spirituality#heathenry#witchcraft#paganism#polytheism#pagan#pagan festivals#ostara#beltane
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The Pagan Series 17
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@paperwitchco
#litha#ostara#beltane#yule#imbolc#manbon#lammas#lughnassadh#autumn equinox#spring eqinox#summer solstice#winter solstice#sabbat#wiccan sabbat#witches sabbat#wheel of the year#cakes and ale#witchblr#witches of tumblr#witchcraft#wicca#pagan#witchy#witchy things#baby witch#kitchen witch#kitchen witchcraft#hearth witch#hearth witchcraft
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