A Druid’s Web Log – May 2021 May Day in the Garden

Maybe it was because I was at home during the pandemic, but the garden was amazingly bright this spring. Daffodils and tulips emerged from unexpected places, clothing the garden in sun-yellow, purple and rose colored jewels, until we had an unexpected snow. Then yet another snow came and the remaining buds turned brown. To be a gardener is to remain philosophical about things.

Thanks to the pandemic relief check I received, two Arbor Vitae (Thuja) plants were planted near the door. I need them for my herbal salves – they lend a gorgeous color and smell – and a hardy Rosa rugosa (Beach Rose) went out back, to replace a Tea Rose that couldn’t handle the climate 1000 feet up on a mountain. Other herbs such as sage, mint, lavender and lemon balm added their glory as well as a few baby Angelica Archangelicas. I am looking forward to the abundance of the garden this summer.

Sadly, the flock of Canadian geese that always had babies near the pond down the road has disappeared. I did see an amazing sight a month ago. Someone had set up two duck blinds right by the road and there was a flock of geese feeding in between the two blinds. I suspect someone had lured them in with corn. A man was clearly hiding behind one of the shelters. I stared at him in disbelief and then I called the police.

My neighbor reports that his bird feeder that was strung high on a line between a tall “bear proof” metal pole and the house, was decimated by – you guessed it – bears. The only thing he can figure is the local mother bear with cubs must have hoisted one or two of the youngsters high in the air to get at the feeder.

Beltaine was celebrated on line again this year with my Druid group, Tribe of the Oak. Feel free to contact us if you would like to pursue in-depth Druid studies with an Irish slant. I am looking forward to some live rituals, possibly as early as this summer or fall.

May Day in Scotland (excerpts from Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore, Pendraig Publishing)

Bealltan – May 1

In the times before radio, television, and the internet, the date of this Fire Festival was calculated in different ways. One was the blooming of the Hawthorn tree, the signal that summer was indeed upon the land. It was the task of the local Druid to keep an eye on the Hawthorns to announce the first blossoms and the inauguration of the Bealltan feast.

The second method for divining the date was the observation of the skies. Bealltan marks the day when the Pleiades “disappear into the sun”, that is, the Pleiades are no longer visible after sunset. If we are to take into account the movements of the stars in the last two thousand years this would place the Bealltan festival on April 26 or 27 of the current Gregorian calendar.

At Bealltan great bonfires are lit on the hilltops in the sun’s honor. All hearth fires are extinguished to be re-kindled with sacred flames from the ritual pyres. A large bannock is baked and divided into as many pieces as there are celebrants. One piece is blackened with charcoal and all the pieces are placed into a hat. Whoever draws the blackened piece must jump the flames six times.

Sacrifices were once offered at this time to preserve the health of the cattle as the áiridhean or “Shielings” (summer grazing) began. Women and children drove the cattle, sheep and goats out to their summer pastures and lived in bothies (small huts or cabins), while tending to the herds, milking, butter-making and cheese-making.

Men left the fields and came to the hills for a visit every once in a while and singing, storytelling and courting ensued. A male lamb was sacrificed and eaten in celebration when the men came to visit.”

“The sun shining on water at this time is considered potent magic and well or spring water is collected as the first rays hit, to be sprinkled on people, animals and objects for healing and protection. Butter churned on Bealltan morning is called “May Butter”. Salt water and dew gathered at dawn on May Day are added to it and it is used afterwards to cure fevers.

The first water taken from a well or spring on Bealltan is especially lucky, but if someone else gets there first they might steal your luck. (Holy Wells are exempt from this because their luck does not diminish with use).

Purification by Fire

The name of this festival probably derives from “Belinus”, the patron God of the BealltanFires. It is a time of ritual purification by sacred fire, when the herds are sained (purified and protected) by driving them between two fires on their way to their summer grazing in the hills (the fires are supposed to be close enough that the hair of a white heifer will be singed brown). At the start of the light half of the year, warriors and raiders set out to serve their chieftain.

The Shieling Feast

At Bealltan, when the cows have arrived safely in their summer pastures, make a feast of lamb and ale to celebrate.

Guid Nychburris – Mid June

“Good Neighbor Day” is a week-long festival that originally took place when court was in session to resolve disputes between neighbors. Crown a “Queen of the South” and perform a neighborly deed by doing an errand or favor for your neighbor. Leave a surprise gift of flowers, or a coupon good for a service on your neighbor’s doorstep.”

“The magic presented here is old, and full of history. This is a must-have for anyone with an interest in the highlands, fairies, and herbs.“ – Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore

BOOK NEWS

A recent podcast where I talk about how I became an herbalist and a Druid 

THE DRUID TRILOGY – I am pleased to announce that all three books are available again as paper and eBooks – in new editions! 

A book excerpt from The Sacred Herbs of Spring – and a recipe!

When I am among the Trees – poem by Mary Oliver

UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

  • May 7, 8 and 9, 2021
    10th Anniversary
    Midwest Women’s Herbal Conference (virtual this year)
    Ellen will speak on tree medicine and lore and Celtic spirituality
    If you use this code; ELLEN 10, as a friend of mine you can get a 10% discount!
    5 reasons to join us!
  • June 5-6
    Event by Moon Books Online: facebook.com
    Jun 5 at 5 AM EDT – Jun 6 at 4 PM EDT
    Price: Free · Duration: 2 days
    Public  · Anyone on or off Facebook
    TWO DAYS of talks, panels & Q/A live sessions with a whole host of Moon Books authors.
    Saturday 5th June & Sunday 6th June 2021
    FREE and open to everyone
    The event will be run live from the Moon Books facebook page 
  • June 18th-20th, 2021
    Free Spirit Gathering
    On Line Conference this year
    Ellen will speak Friday 7pm
  • Neo-Pagan Club of India
    18 July 2021
    Ellen Evert Hopman, Neopagan Author
    DURATION : 90 minutes
    TIME : 7 pm India 1: 30 pm England . 8:30 am USA . Conference will be on Zoom
    whattsapp contact number is +917327965424
  • August 7, 2021
    3:00-4:30 PM Eastern
    Dragonfest
    An on line talk on Druid magical techniques from history
  • October 26, 2021
    www.wildgingerherbalcenter.com
    6-8 PM Eastern
    Ellen will speak on the Sacred Herbs of Samhain
    A Zoom webinar

*Below you will find the usual Moonthly assortment of gleanings from the media; archaeology news, herbs, climate, nature, health, arts, religion, Celts, Fairies and more. Enjoy!*

ARCHAEOLOGY NEWS

More Archaeology News…

HERB NEWS

More Herb News…

HEALTH NEWS

More Health News…

CLIMATE & NATURE NEWS

More Climate & Nature News…

CELTIC NEWS

More Celtic News…

DRUID NEWS

FAIRY NEWS

ARTS NEWS

More Arts News…

RELIGION NEWS

More Religion News…

POLITICS & ETHICS        

More Politics & Ethics News…

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