Beltane Chant (by Rudyard Kipling):
O do not tell the priests of our arts,
for they would call it sin!
We will be in the woods all night
A-conjuring conjuring summer in.
And we bring you good news by word of mouth.
For women, cattle, and corn:
The sun is coming up from the south,
By oak and ash, and thorn!
(Continue chanting 'by oak and ash and thorn')


 The first day of May marks a festival of great importance for all those who follow the Pagan way.  We call this day 'Beltane' which means 'Fire of God,'  the Sun, renews his gift of Need-Fire to the Earth Mother.  The spark of life has once again been delivered.
 
The Celtic May festival, to celebrate the arrival of summer; from Old Gaelic words meaning blaze-kindling.  In Druidic times, two fires were lit, and the tribes cattle driven between them, in a purificatory rite.  In later times, young men would leap over fires in tests or displays of energy and virility.
 
 
  On April 30th in some areas, fires burn from dusk till dawn.  Beltane or May Day at dawn wash your face with dew for a good complextion and good luck throughout the year.

BELTANE - The Celtic 'Flower Festival.'  Marks the first day of Celtic Summer - the first day of the Light Half of the year.

 Date - May Eve/May 1st (psychic high-tide; full moon before May 1st).

 Modern Equivalent - May Day, Lilac Sunday, Lady Day Walpurgisnacht.

 Celtic Godforms - Belinos, Flora, Bloodeuwedd.

 Alignment - Male,  Cross-Quarter Lunar

 Customs - sexual license among peasants, May Pole erection, gathering flowers, wearing green, Fire Calling, feasting, merry-making.

 Symbols - May Pole, daffodils, bright colors, smiling sun.

 Sacred Foods - sweets and sugar products, heather mead, cakes, cookies, no meat or fruit.

 Threshold - Dawn 

Incense - lilac, heather, apple blossom.
 
 
http://afwcraft.blogspot.ca/2012/04/beltane.html 


 Wiccan Spells and Witchcraft

 http://witchcraft.org

I would like to thank my readers who rushed out to bookstores to read my paranormal book Severed Ties.

http://DamnationBooks.com/book.php?isbn=9781615728206 

Till Death and Beyond - The bond of love can bring two forbidden opposites together.

     Till Death and Beyond opens with a teenage girl named Zoe, inexperienced in witchcraft, in the woods on a Full Moon cast a spell for a love she feels is lost to her.  The teenager new to magic, is careless of her words for her desire.  The spirit of a maiden witch appears.  At first the teenager is afraid of the ghostly figure, and then her curiosity calms her nerves.
 
      The Spirit tells the tale how she and the love of her life were separated by ignorance.  Zoe, the teenage girl experiments with magic to reunite the Spirit with her long lost love.
 

      As a direct result of the long hours I spent reading the history of witchcraft my novella Till Death and Beyond was created.
 
      The main conflict in the short read is the Puritans attempting to keep evil from tarnishing their community and the witches strong belief based on the oneness of self an nature.   Puritans against the witches.  What happened and what it meant.

    Historically the Puritans and witches were two very different groups of people with two very different belief systems.  Puritan America was based on clear roles between men, women, and God.  Witchcraft served as a system of explanations for the ways of nature and a method by which one could gain control over their life. Witches were considered enemies to their God. 
 
     Puritans linked witchcraft with the devil and hell because their first responsibility was to serve one God.  The Biblical regulative principle of worship and commandments was the puritan blueprint toward that duty.  Witchcraft became a crime against the church to rid those who did not dedicate themselves to their faith.  They became known as immoral and wicked people even though their faith exsisted long before the Purtian's belief system did.
 
    I had a very specific idea in mind when I wrote Till Death and Beyond a love story between Emery a Puritan and Frye a witch and the petty rivalry connecting the two faith driven neighbors.  The main conflict between the Puritans and the witches' belief systems is the the theme of the romantic story.  I wanted to tell the important elements that are in the traditions and of the similarities and difference among them.  I hope to say to the reader the story isn't strictly romantic; it will have some history.
 
Check out the first chapter  Till Death and Beyond
at http://AngieSkelhorn.com/book-trailer-till-death--beyond.html
 
 
Read an Author Interviews  at http://BookGoodies.com/?s=Angie+Skelhorn
Join me on Face Book - http://Facebook.com/pages/Author-Angie-Skelhorn-Witchskel/106332176093960
Publisher Link -http://Clublighthousepublishing.com/productpage.asp?bNumb=232

On May 20, Gemini will take control of the cosmic reigns as the Sun floats out of Taurus and into Gemini, while the Moon, already in the sign of the twins, immediately moves in for a Solar Eclipse.

That’s some pretty serious Gemini energy coming together for one day!   So how will this affect you?

First, this sign is about communication -- it is ruled by Mercury, after all! Anything that has to do with how you relate to and associate with others will come to the forefront now. Gemini also likes to do and know as much as possible, without worrying too much about going very deep into any particular subject. That makes this an ideal time to multitask, but also to think outside the box, since you'll have so many random ideas floating through your head at any given moment.  

The only thing to keep in mind is that a Solar Eclipse generally has some lesson it wants you to learn, and since the focus here is on Gemini, your life lesson will have something to do with the traits mentioned above. Pay special attention to areas of your life that involve communication, learning and trying new things.  

For even more insight into the life lessons the universe wants you to learn, check out  http://Astrology.com

As the fifth month of the year descends upon us, you'll suddenly see a huge increase in productivity, while the end of the month brings about an added energy boost. You couldn't ask for a better time to start projects or check off to-do lists!  

The main activity takes shape on May 6 with the Full Moon in Scorpio, which could lead to lots of obstinacy and stubbornness. However, if you find a balance between common sense and heartfelt longings, then you'll also find the steadiness and determination you need to accomplish your heart's desires.    

Then, on May 9, playful Mercury joins the Sun in Taurus, shifting the focus toward practical, financial or indulgent matters, and giving you a good mix of work and fun!  

May 13 sees the Sun shine upon the good-luck planet, Jupiter. Here, fortune, optimism, and idealist energy will meet warmth and illumination. You may tend to be a bit lazy, but the Sun in Taurus will help keep you grounded and provide a bit of discipline.  

Mars in Virgo will shake hands with Pluto on May 16, reminding you that perseverance is necessary for progress, as well as giving you an excellent opportunity to move past obstacles.  

Then the Sun takes over the spotlight on May 20, as it moves into Gemini, immediately forms a Solar Eclipse, and brings about extra success and enthusiasm. You can increase both even more if you're willing to take a step into the unknown and challenge yourself with something completely new.  

On the 23rd, Neptune squares off against the Sun, leaving you feeling out of control. Work on going with the flow, and you may just find the inspiration you seek.

Mercury follows the Sun into Gemini on May 24, bringing constant chatter and movement. Finally, the month winds to a close with Mercury also meeting up with Uranus on May 27 and 28, upping your energy levels and boosting all things social.  

But this forecast is only a taste of what's to come this month -- there's so much more astrological activity happening behind the scenes of your personal chart. To give you the full scoop, Astrology.com is excited to present you with your personalized May Forecast,  written by renowned astrologer Art Poppe!

Find out exactly what's in store for you and discover how you can make this amazing month even better.   Sincerely, http://Astrology.com