Merry Meet my friends! Spring has Finally spring here in Ohio! Though there has been fluctuations…40* one day, 80* the next! …..Spring none-the-less has bloomed. Spring flowers, flowering bushes and trees are all blooming. Birdsong in the mornings and I love seeing them at the feeders again…cardinals, finches, sparrows, even woodpeckers! Squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits are scampering around, kids are playing outside again and adults are working in their yards and gardens.
I had a birthday a few days ago…my 55th! (gasp!!) 🙂 For my birthday present, my hubby built me a raised bed for my veggies and herbs and he put up a clothesline! Something I have missed having in my yard for 16 years! I finally live in a house with a yard that is sunny enough to have one! You have no idea how excited I am about this LOL…it’s a big deal! To me, there is nothing like the fresh, clean scent of clothes that have hung outside in the Sun and breeze 🙂 A clothesline brings back wonderful memories for me. In my mind’s eye, I see my grandmother in her housedress and apron, happily pinning up her linens and clothes while I tag along, with the pins, putting my nose in each and every piece to breathe in the great scent!
My granddaughter, who is 4, was here when I hung out my first load of linens and clothes. I was overjoyed as she immediately wanted to know what I was doing and why. As soon as I hung up the bright pink sheets, she did what all kids do..she ran thru the damp sheets, laughing and putting her nose right in them..just like her mommy, my daughter, did when she was a little girl 🙂 I believe more happy memories are being made with that clothesline 🙂
Beltane is coming up fast! May 1! Beltane….marking the coming of longer, warmer days, gardens in bloom, faeries scampering thru the flowers and Mother Earth becoming full and in bloom! Maypoles are erected and danced around, May baskets are happily filled with bright flowers and left on doors, and love and lust is rising in the hearts and souls of young and old alike. Beltane is a happy, energetic, fun Sabbat!
Here at my house, we will have an outdoor fire and a great meal full of fresh veggies and fruits…a nice light meal. I’ll start planting my pots of herbs, planting crystals and blessings along with the them. I’ll ask the Faeries to assist me in success in growing them big, full and magickally! An offering will be made to Mother Earth and the Fae….honey, bread and wine…to show how grateful I am for their presence in my Life and in my gardens. I’ll do a ritual under the waning Moon to celebrate the Sabbat as well.
If you’re interested in Beltane correspondences, recipes, ritual, altars etc…just type Beltane into the search engine over to the right here on this page. There is 3-4 years of info here! I’m sure you’ll find some things you’ll like 🙂
For Beltane I recommend you spend some time outside, whatever else you do! Take a walk, plant a tree or flowers, sit by a tree and listen to the breeze thru the young, tender leaves. Make up a May basket and surprise a friend or neighbor with I. Visit a garden center or a botanical garden or a park. Plan a romantic night with your special someone..and remember! You are a special someone too…so do something for yourself! One of my favorite things to do for Beltane is to collect some dew overnight…just set out a shallow bowl..and wash my face in it in the morning! It is said to bring youth and beauty and Goddess knows at 55yo I could use the help 🙂 Try it….it really works!
The fair maid who, the first of May
Goes to the fields at break of day
And washes in dew from the hawthorn tree
Will ever after handsome be.”
– Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
May you have the most blessed Beltane! May you feel Love, Joy and youthful exuberance! Dance..Sing….Be Merry!!
Blessings and Love,
Autumn
your writings always bring me joy and make me smile!!! <*)
I feel the same about YOU! Hugs Sister!
I just love to read your blog and feel your joyful energy coming through your writing. Although it is snowing here again today, and Beltane seems a long way off as far as the weather is concerned, I feel inspired to make a Beltane plan and execute it with the knowledge that the wheel is turning as it always does, and spring and the green grass and fairies will come again!!
Have a Blessed Beltane full of happy dancing and spirited celebration!
Deb
A beautiful post, loved reading about your washing line. This weekend I was sitting in the garden watching the washing blow and felt so close to my grandmother, she used to love watch her washing on the line.
Hope you have a blessed beltane, we have plans to spend it in the garden with our loved ones.
Hugs x Amanda
Hi! 😀 I just wanted to completement your blog. I really liked it and I added you to my “Recommended blogs” list so I hope you don’t mind. Wonderful to see someone putting so much effort into something like you are 🙂 keep up the great work! 😀
Yours,
Witch’s Cat
I have always washed my face with the first dew of Beltane! I don’t care if it makes a difference in my looks, I just love the magick~ Love you Sis!
Just thinking of you and hoping you are ok. It’s been a long time since you have written. I just hope it means you have been busy and not something else. I have no idea if you will even get this message but know that I’m thinking about you. Blessings always. June
Hello June! So nice to hear from you. Everything is well here…I just seem to have lost my writing muse lately 🙂 I am mulling around a post for the next Sabbat though…so watch for me 🙂 After 3 years of writing here..I’m just having trouble thinking of what to write! LOL. I appreciate you thinking of me. How are you? I would love to be in touch with you outside my blog..how would I do that? Take care and thank you so much! Many Blessings..
I’m very flattered that you want to write to me, I would love to I would love to hear from you! You can write at akomachi@cox.net until next time keep cool! June
Hi Autumn — I was just realizing I hadn’t seen a post in quite sometime. I know you have been dealing with challenges, and I hope that all is well with you. I love your blog and hearing about the simple ways you celebrate the season — it’s been a huge inspiration to me on my journey. The brightest of blessings to you and yours.
Thank you so much ibejedi! All is well and I appreciate you missing my blog posts 🙂 Good news..I wrote one today 🙂 PLan on getting back to it better now too. I was so busy with our new home, family, Summer..etc..and my Muse had left me. But I’m back! Thanks and many Blessings!