Some Other Names: May Day, Roodemas, Walpurgis (Germany), Cetshamain (Ireland),Cyntefin (Wales), Cala Me' (Cornwall) and Kala-Hanv (Brittany)

This is when the Goddess and the God get married and all of Nature celebrates with them. The ancientCelts divided the year into two parts – Winter, the colder, dark part that began at Samhain, and Summer,the lighter, warmer part, which officially started at Beltane. It is celebrated with maypoles, picnics,courtship, flower gathering and May baskets, bonfires, processions and games. We also use this time tobless our animals and gardens. Beltane is one of the times of the year that fairies, elves and pixiesespecially love to play and you’re much more likely to see one!

Storybook Chair: Pooka's May Day MayhemKitchen Witch - Oatmeal Scotchies

Coloring Page - Beltane Mask by Liliane GrenierLetter from Scotland by Fiona Tinker

Elsie's Herb Garden - Witch's BroomPooka's Beltane Basket Maze

WitchCrafts - Make a Fairy HouseColoring Page - A Fairy Offering by Liliane Grenier

Pooka's Little Poetry Corner - May BasketsThe Colors of Magick by Carmen Sanchez-Bezzard

Coloring Page - a Beltane Wreath by Liliane GrenierJimmy Story- Jimmy Spills the Beans by Evelien Roos

Wee Witchling's Read-Along - Ribbons

www.pookapages.com

Pooka Pages is FREE publication for pagan children. It may be printed and shared, but never sold.This issue of Pooka Pages Magazine is © April 2017. No portion of this newsletter may be seperatelyused without the author or artist’s permission. To contact an author or artist or for general inquiriesand comments, write to pookachild@hotmail.com

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"I have seen the Lady of the MaySet in an arbor on the holidaybuilt by the Maypole, where the jocund swainsDance with the maidens to the bagpipe strains."

Pooka's Mayday Mayhemmayhem: (noun): damaging disorder; chaos; havoc; all hell broken loose.

Sally, the Flower Lady, grabbed her friend's arm eagerly. "Elsie, have you heard?""Heard what?" asked the little witch, startled."The village council has decided to revive the old May Day celebrations!" Sally told her. "The

vote was unanimous...well, except for Lavinia Hinkle, of course...that old sour puss." Sallyshrugged a dismissive shoulder and then grinned. "But the rest were all for it."

"So, what does this mean?" asked Elsie."It means a big Maypole will be erected in the Green at the center of town. All the young

people will dance around it and the best dancers will be crowned the May King and Queen.""That sounds fun!" exclaimed Elsie and Pooka's ears stood straight up. The little cat LOVED

Maypole Dancing!Sally paused to sell a bouquet of violets to a customer and then turned back to Elsie.

"There's more," she said. "The town band will be playing in the Green Gazebo all day. There'sgoing to be an archery contest and the church said they'd have a bake sale to raise money for anew roof. You know," she added sadly, "the old one's been leaking rather badly this past winter.Some of the parishioners have even started taking their umbrellas into the church. So, are youcoming?"

Pooka, who was sitting by his witch's ankles, swiveled his head between the two girls. Hereally hoped Elsie would say "yes". It sounded like a lot of fun!

However, the little witch hesitated. "I don't know. It sounds great, but Pooka and I sort ofhave our own thing we do on Beltane."

Sally put a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I know you do, but I really hope we see you!"

Elsie and Pooka drifted down the cobblestone road to finish their marketing and deliveringtheir various herbal orders.

At the pharmacy, Elsie dropped off some lavender lotion order that Mr. Ambercromby hadordered. The roly-poly bachelor was also excited about the upcoming event. "There are goingto be sausages and music and I MIGHT even ask a certain lady to dance with me!"

When they stopped at the library, old Miss Epstein, the librarian (who also happened to bethe town historian), was just as enthusiastic. "Isn't it wonderful that the town is restoring someof it's old customs?"

Elsie smiled and agreed.

After retrieving a couple of letters at the Post Office (one from Aunt Tilly and another fromAuntie Fiona), they enjoyed a bit of lunch at the Cafe. That is, Elsie would have enjoyed it ifPooka hadn't been nagging her in whispered tones throughout the meal.

"We really should take part in more village activities," he argued. "Our friends will think wedon't like them."

"I don't know...." Elsie murmured as she fed a corner of her sandwich to Edgar."You don't want to hurt their feelings, do you?" persisted Pooka.As they headed back along the dirt road, past the fields and through the forest, to their

cottage, Pooka continued to pester and plead: "It sounds like so much fun! Can we go? Please,Elsie?"

"What about our own Beltane ritual?" the girl objected."We can still do a ritual at home," Pooka assured her. "And dancing around the Maypole will

be so much more fun with a bunch of kids joining in."Elsie, finally, agreed. "Okay, we'll try it," she said.Pooka leaped in the air, twisted around and playfully grabbed his tail with both front paws.

"Yippeee!"

On the morning of May Day, they headed toward the village with Edgar flying alongoverhead. Elsie's crow had heard promises of sweets and sparklies at the gathering and refusedto be left behind.

When they arrived, they saw a tall pole standing in the center of the Village Green. Gay,colorful ribbons fluttered from the floral wreath that crowned its top.

Next to the Maypole, a flower and ivy covered arbor had been erected over two velvetcovered chairs awaiting the crowning of the King and Queen of the May.

Nearby, a row of booths had been set up for crafters to sell their creations."Look, there's the Bake fundraiser for the Church!" Elsie pointed. "They really do need a

new roof. Let's buy a cake!"

Elsie and Pooka, with Edgar perched on her shoulder, went over to the booth and Elsielooked at the various cakes the parishioners had baked. "They all look good," she sighed. "Ican't decide...."

"Let me see," said Pooka leaping on to the table to help. He accidentally landed in themiddle of something soft and squishy and, in his surprise, immediately sat and looked down.Uh oh...

Elsie pointed to the cake that Pooka was sitting on. "I guess I'll take that one?" she said tothe woman on the other side of the booth.

"Good choice," grunted the woman . She lifted Pooka and set him back on the groundbefore putting the cake in a box.

Pooka stuck a hind leg in the air and licked the frosting off his bum. "Good thing I like thiskind!" he said.

Elsie rolled her eyes at him and Edgar cawed a laugh.Carrying the box, they quickly left the booths. Elsie paused to watch as the band set up in

the Gazebo. Musicians began tuning their instruments.On the other side of the Green, people were gathering to watch the archery contest. The

trio now ventured in that direction with Edgar perching on Elsie's shoulder, working their waythrough the crowd to find a space next to their friend, Nathan.

Alongside him, she could see several round "bulls eye" type targets set up in front of thesmall duck pond that was the pride of the Green.

"Who do you think will win?" she asked Nathan."Probably Billy," said the boy. "...good eye and a steady hand. A lot of folks have their

money on him.""You mean people are placing bets?" asked Elsie."Sure! This is serious stuff!" grinned Nathan."Archers... get ready," cried the tournament master. "Set your mark and... "Pooka had wiggled his way to the front of

the crowd and suddenly spotted his friend,Trilby, the little white Bakery cat, sitting at thefar edge of the pond.

"Trilby!" he called happily, and raced over tojoin her... crossing in front of each and everytarget as he did.

"...shoot!" finished the tournament master.As the archers release their arrows, they all

saw the little black cat running in front of theirtargets and all aimed wide to avoid hitting him.

Unfortunately, one of the arrows ended upin the rump of the mayor. Medics sprang intoaction and one archer jokingly accused anotherof aiming for the biggest target of all!

Trilby gasped and as Pooka galloped up toher, told him, "You might be in Big Trouble!'

"Why," asked Pooka, who hadn't seen athing.

Just then, the music began in the Gazebo andthe children all ran to the Maypole to grab a ribbon and began dancing.

"Oh boy!" cried Pooka. "The Maypole Dance!"

Before the little white cat could caution him, Pooka dashed back across the Green to join in.He loved Maypole dancing!

But there were so many kids... he was only used to Maypole dancing with Elsie, Nathan, acrow and a fairy. The little cat found himself dodging this way and that in order to avoid ofcrowd of prancing and stamping feet.

A girl finally tripped over him, crashing into the boy in front of her. As they both fell, the boygrabbed the shoulder of the girl in front of him bringing her down with them. Meanwhile, thekids in back were tripping over the ones on the ground....and so it went until every last childwas sprawled on the ground.

The band members jaws dropped at the sight and they all stopped playing.As the music died, Pooka looked around and realized he was the only one still standing."I guess that makes ME the best dancer!" He dashed up to the May King's throne under the

arbor and sat on the seat, his little chest proudly puffed out as he waited to be crownedElsie gently lifted Pooka off his throne. "No, Pooks, you didn't win. Tripping all the other

contestants doesn't count.""But, I didn't! They tripped each other," objected the cat. He squirmed in her arms, trying to

hop back onto the throne.Ginny, the baker's wife appeared at their side. "Dear Pooka," she sighed, stroking his little

black head. "I'm sure he found our celebrations terribly noisy and confusing."She drifted off, only to be replaced by Sally, the flower lady. She tickled the cat under his

chin. "Poor Pooks! He's really had a day! Perhaps this was all a bit too much for him?"Then Sally's eyes grew wide and she evaporated into the crow as she saw Lavinia Hinkle

storming towards them. "That cat is a menace!" Miss Hinkle growled. "Maybe next time, ifthere IS one after this year's debacle, you'll be good enough to keep that varmint locked up athome!" and with that, the older woman stomped off.

Elsie and Pooka looked at each other and then at Edgar, who for once, had been silenced.The little witch then noticed the Mayor hobbling towards them with the aid of a cane. His

round red face looked very apologetic and he cleared his throat nervously before saying: "Elsie,my dear, you know we all value and respect you as a member of our community. However,events such as this may not be the safest place for pets. The town council has informed methat they would be ever so grateful if you'd consider leaving your cat at home next year.Please?" he added rather plaintively.

"Of course, Mr. Mayor," Elsie nodded as she tried not to grin.The Mayor gently rubbed his bandaged backside, thanked her and looked relieved as he left.

"Elsie, this was a lot of fun but can we...." began Pooka."Yes," smiled the witch. "We'll do our own Beltane celebrations

from now on.""I still think I was the best dancer though," insisted the cat.Elsie laughed and hugged him. "Let's go home and make you a

paper crown," she suggested.Pooka liked that idea and, of course, Edgar wanted one too!

Oats are a traditional food of Beltain. Many pagans make a point of having oatmeal forbreakfast and some even scatter oats to define their circle during the Beltane ritual. But Elsiehas a much tastier way to include the grain in her festivities. She makes cookies!

Oatmeal Scotchies

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract3 cups quick or old-fashioned oats

1 2/3 cups (11-oz. pkg.) Butterscotch Chips (baking morsels)

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in small bowl. Then, in a big bowl, beat

together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla extract. Gradually beat the

flour mixture into the big bowl with the eggs & sugar

mixter. Stir in the oats and butterscotch morsels. Drop by

rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

BAKE for 7 to 8 minutes for chewy cookies or 9 to 10

minutes for crisp cookies. Cool on baking sheets for 2

minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

A Letter from Scotland

Dear Little Witches,

Pooka had to remind me that it was time to write a Beltane

letter to you all. This is because forgetting stuff sometimes

happens when you get older but also because some of us over

here celebrate the festival just a little later than you might expect and I thought I had more

time than I did. This is because things – like summer - happen later in Scotland and also because

the people who taught some of us about Paganism used the land as their calendar. Summer in

Scotland doesn’t start until the yellow’s on the broom. I’ll tell you more about this later in this

letter.

Anyway, Pooka wanted me to tell him about the old times and how our ancestors celebrated

Beltane. I’m sure I’ve probably told him some of this before, but it’s nice to talk about this time

of year. Beltane marks the start of summer and there are all sorts of lovely rites that celebrate

this time. Historically, it’s also the time of year when the cattle were taken out of their byres

and let loose to graze. Once upon a time, if you had 60 cows, you were considered wealthy. Do

you have 60 toy cows on your play farm? If so, you too are a rich Celt!

But what did they do to celebrate the start of summer?

The most important thing was the Needfire. A Needfire is a special fire lit by Druids on top of a

hill to welcome the summer sun. Everyone from miles around would gather to watch this

ceremony. All the fires in a village would be put out and the hearths cleared before people

gathered at the ceremony. When the Needfire was lit, it would be built up into a blazing bonfire

and everyone would take a small peat from the fire to relight their home fires. This was

believed to bring the blessings of summer into the house from the special fire made to

welcome the new sun. It was considered so sacred that on Beltane Day no-one would give fire

from their hearth to a neighbour, no matter how much they asked. To do that was to give away

the luck of the house for the year, so people were very, very careful to make sure their home

fires were relit from the Needfire and not to give anything away from the house – not fire, not

milk, not oats – on that day. Everyone knew it was bad manners to ask for help from their

neighbours on Beltane day and no-one would dream of doing it; except for some evil fairies in

old tales. This put a trouble on the person asked because our ancestors were very hospitable

and there were laws about being friendly and helpful to strangers. In these old stories, it was

hard for the person asked by an evil fairy to say ‘no’ but the misfortune that then befell them

served as a warning to others to remember not to give away the luck of the house on this one

special day.

Once the home fires were lighted, it was time to

bless the animals. Two more bonfires were lit and

all the cows were herded between them. The

smoke from the fires was sacred and considered a

blessing of protection on the beasts before they

were allowed out to pasture.

Painting by Michael A. Hampshire

When the serious business of the day was over, it was time for folk to celebrate and they did

this in many ways. A lot of food, drink and games would be held as people celebrated the end

of winter and looked forward to the new fertility of the land, animals and people. One of the

traditional foods associated with Beltane are bannocks – a kind of flat bread made from oats.

These were made on the bonfires and a cross pattern put on the top. Sometimes a hole would

be made in them too by pushing a finger through the dough – this was to stop the nasty fairies

stealing them.

Why would there be nasty fairies about at Beltane? Well,

this is the cross-over time, the time when the Unseelie

Court, who rule Scotland from Samhain to Beltane, have

to go back to the hills and make way for their opposites,

the Seelie Court, the Good Neighbours who rule from

Beltane to Samhain. But they didn’t always want to go

quietly and sometimes they had to be encouraged.

Anyway, when the first batch of bannocks was cooked they would be broken into their quarters

and offered to the spirits of the animals who might hurt the cattle and offered to the land. The

third piece was offered to the Unseelie ones and the last piece was then eaten by the person

making all these offerings. Once this respect to the unseen ones was made, the Unseelie Court

disappeared back to the hills and the summer Court began their rule.

There was a big party after this, with lots of food, drink, singing, dancing and games. Some of

the games also involved bannocks: one game involved rolling your bannock down a hill. If it

didn’t get very far, or if it broke or landed the cross side up, you weren’t going to have an

exceptional year. But – if your bannock made it to the bottom of the hill in one piece and with

the cross side down - you were going to have a lot of luck.

Some of these old beliefs still exist, even if they are in a slightly different form – I bet a lot of

you ate hot cross buns and rolled Easter eggs down a hill a few weeks ago. Isn’t it nice to know

what you were doing is such an old thing, even if you didn’t know why you were doing it? I bet

you were excited if it was your egg that made it to the bottom of the hill without cracking, right?

So you should be – you are going to have a lucky year!

Another bannock game was a bit more dangerous. It involved making a batch of bannocks and

marking one of them with charcoal. When they were ready, they would be put into a sack and

the young men present would pull one each out of the sack. The one who drew the marked

bannock would be the one chosen to leap the Beltane bonfire three times. This brought him

luck, admiration – and a burnt bottom if he was not too careful!

What do bannocks taste like? Delicious! And even better – they are easy to make. Don’t do

them in the oven though, they are much nicer cooked on a griddle or a pan. This recipe is

simple – you can make most of it yourself and get a grown-up to do the cooking part.

Remember to push your thumb in the middle of

your bannock before cooking it so no passing

member of the Unseelie Court steals them - or

the bannock jumps off the pan and runs away!

(The tale of the runaway bannock is funny – but

that’s a story for another day.)

How to make Bannocks

4 oz (125g) medium oatmeal

2 teaspoons bacon fat, if available, or butter if not.

2 pinches of bicarbonate of soda (Baking soda) Pinch of salt 3/4 tablespoons hot water Additional oatmeal for kneading

Mix the oatmeal, salt and bicarbonate and pour in the melted fat into the centre of

the mixture. Stir well, using a porridge stick if you have one and add enough water to

make into a stiff paste. Cover a surface in oatmeal and turn the mixture onto this. Work

quickly as the paste is difficult to work if it cools. Divide into two and roll one half into a

ball and knead with hands covered in oatmeal to stop it sticking. Roll out to around

quarter inch thick. Put a plate which is slightly smaller than the size of your pan over the

flattened mixture and cut round to leave a circular oatcake. Cut into quarters (also

called farls) and place in a heated pan which has been lightly greased. Cook for about 3

minutes until the edges curl slightly, turn, and cook the other side. Get ready with

another oatcake while the first is being cooked.

The quantities above will be enough for two bannocks about the size of a dessert plate.

If you want more, do them in batches rather than making larger quantities of mixture.

Store in a tin and reheat in a moderate oven when required.

(Recipe from: http://www.rampantscotland.com/recipes/blrecipe_bannocks.htm)

Give them a try and let Pooka know if you liked them.

Yellow is a colour associated with Beltane as it’s the colour of the sun. One of the very lovely

old traditions here was decorating a May Bush. Children would find a fallen branch of a rowan

tree and decorate it with yellow ribbons, yellow flowers and painted shells. This was brought

into the house for the month to celebrate the season.

The other yellow thing I mentioned at the start of this letter was the yellow on the broom. It

might sound as if children decorated the kitchen sweeping brush, but that’s not quite it. Broom

is the name of a plant that grows wild in Scotland and it flowers with the most vivid yellow

blossoms around May. The Travelling people of Scotland, the Tinkers, lived their lives very close

to the land and this is what I meant when I said it was their calendar. The Travelling folk would

hunker down for the winter – there was no work to be had on the land and winters were fierce.

But, when the yellow’s on the broom, it was time to get back out on the open road and move

through Scotland, picking up the work that filled summer. There’s a very beautiful book, called

The Yellow on the Broom by Betsy Whyte. She tells her story of what it was like to be a

Travelling child in Scotland in the 1920s and 1930s. It’s a lovely book, full of the joys of summer,

folklore and stories. I think you’d like it, Pooka. Maybe your local library has a copy?

Anyway, that’s enough blethers for now. However, and whenever, you celebrate it: Beltane

Blessings to you all.

Till next time,

Fiona Tinker

to River's little sister, Rain, who turns 2 on May 2nd,

and Lisa (a kid at heart) who will be 51 on May 18. Oliver (the Panda Man) turns 3 on May 7.Gemma will be 70 on June 7th and, on May 30, Eddie will be 11 years old! Meradythe Wrenwill be 11 on May 8, and it's her mommy's birthday too - Lori-Ann will be 39. Gwenn will be 2May 28th and on the next day, May 29, Keegan Rose will be 7 years old. Ashlynn is going to be4 on May 19. On June 4, Jack will be turning 4 and probably ready for college!

Pooka says: Happy Birthday to each of you!

Broom

Pooka absolutely adores his Auntie Fiona and always looks forward to her wonderful letterstelling him all about her life in Scotland.In her latest letter, when she mentioned the Broom plant, his curiosity was piqued. He askedElsie to teach him more about it....

Witch's Broom (also known as Scotch Broom, SpanishBroom and Common Broom) is a rather scragglylooking bush for much of the year - in fact, some wouldsay it's ugly. But, when it's in bloom and it's hypnotic,honeyed fragrance fills the air, it's glorious!When dried, the golden yellow flowers keep theirwonderful scent so Elsie often uses them for makingpotpourris or perfumes in her herb room.

Do you know why this herb is called "Broom"? That'sright - because its long, supple twigs have been usedfor many hundreds of years to make brooms andbesoms.However, it was Very Bad Luck to cut the stalks whenthe plant was flowering. The fairies would get veryangry with you. In fact, one old tradition warns:If you sweep the house with blossomed Broom in May

You are sure to sweep the head of the house away.(and you certainly don't want to do That!)

However, bouquets of Broom were often tied withribbons and carried at weddings and the couple gettingmarried would jump over a broom made of the plantfor Good luck. And, when the Broom bushes bore lots of flowers, people took that also as asign of luck and prosperity for the coming year. (For some reason, when they were in bloom,the fairies just didn't want you to do chores with them like sweeping the house. Pooka's goingto ask Thistle for the reason behind this and he'll get back to you!)

The twigs and branches of Broom are useful in many other ways too. They've been used tomake basket, thatch roofs and make screens and fences to keep animals from straying.During the medieval days, the buds were often pickled like capers (pepper buds) andconsidered delicious!Magically, Broom is aligned with the element of Air, luck, prosperity and purification. It'sflowers can be used in incense and floor washes to make bad luck go away.Although it is highly medicinal and used for heart ailments as well as problems in pregnancy andchildbirth, it is a very powerful herb that should only be used to heal people by a trainedherbalist. If you don't know the right amount to take, it can make you very, very sick.

"So, don't eat it - except for the pickled buds - and never try to make a tea out of it, okay?"warned Elsie.Pooka quickly agreed that he wouldn't!

More Birthdays!

Abby will be 11 on June 13th and Ragner turns 1 on May 18. Judy's birthday in June 3 (but she

didn't want to tell us how young she'll be!) James, though wasn't shy - he'll be 22 on June 30.

Cassandra will be a whopping 5 years old on June 19 and, on May 19, Gwendolyn will also be 5.

On May 21, the lovely Serena Elizabeth turns 12. Amanda Lee's birthday is on June 7 and her

son, Toby's birth day will be June 20. (Toby will be 0 years old on that day.)

A great big Happy Birthday to all of you from Pooka!

Pooka has promised Elsie that he would get 10 flowers for her May Basket, but he's having

trouble finding them! Will you help?

Use a green crayon to lead him to each of the flowers. Then, use a red crayon to show him

the path to the basket. Remember - Pooka can't go across any lines.

WitchCrafts

Make a SimpleFairy House

A birdhouse in a garden attracts birds… So what better way to attract fairies to your garden orpatio than providing them with a cozy little house to live in?

When you’re done, you can even make a little “For Rent” sign to put in front. If the signmysteriously disappears, you’ll know for sure that afairy has moved in!

There are lots of ways to make a house for the fairies,but here’s one idea:

Start by gathering straight sticks thatare thin enough to be broken or cutto the lengths you want. You’ll alsoneed an empty box and some green

moss (available pretty much where ever plants are sold).

Draw a door into one side of the box and cut out 3sides of the door. (Leave the 4th side attached foryour door to swing open and shut.)

Then, make a triangle template and use this tomake an outline over the door. Make anothertriangle outline on the opposite side of the house,then draw a line connecting the bottom corners ofthe triangles from the back to the front of thehouse.

Use the lines to cut out the sides. This will form a place for your roof to sit.

Cut a rectangle of thin cardboard (like from a cereal box) andbend it in the middle to make your roof. Remember to allowfor a bit of the roof to hang over the front and back of yourhouse!)

Next, give the box and roof a thin coat of black spray paint andlet this dry.

Take thicker pieces of sticks and glue them in place to make alittle frame around the door. You can use tacky glue or wood

glue (which is what we used).

While that’s drying, start breaking some sticks to the sameheight as the sides of your house. Then smear on someglue and start putting on the sticks. (You’ll want to work instages, putting a few inches of sticks on at a time, thenletting it dry so they don’t fall off as you’re handling thehouse.)

After that, glue on the roof and then glue some spagnummoss onto the roof.

Now you're ready to decorate your little house! Wepainted the door green and used a small bead for a door knob. We also glued a pressed flowerand fern over the door and found a small pine cone to use as chimney – but these are just ideas.Maybe you can find a cheap ring to use for a doorknocker or, if you want to add windows, a bitof lace or ribbon for curtains. Thistle once used Elsie’s doily for a rug. Look around and seewhat you can find. Just be sure to Ask First!

Pooka's Little Poetry Corner(with the help of Miss Epstein)

May Basketsby Molly Walton

Do you remember back in childhoodHow we loved the first of May?

When we hung flower-filled basketsOn doorknobs, then ran away

Do you remember how the sweetest basketWas for the one we loved the best,

And in it went the blossomsthat were fairer than the rest?

Such a beautiful and gracious customSomehow lost along the way,But the memories still lingerAs we welcome in the May.

by MommaWitch Carmen

Are you ready for the seventh article in our Color of Magic series? Well here it is...colorful,magical and waiting for you to dig in and have fun learning about Beltane/May Day.

When I think of Beltane, I think of a rainbow. So many colors blossoming from the Goddess'sSacred Earth and so many trees standing tall and proud like the God, bursting forth withbeautiful green leaves and colorful blossoms. That certainly is sacred color magic.

So many colors, so much fun,So many ribbons to tie on the Maypole for everyone.This is fun for grown-ups and every girl and boy.After the ribbons are tied on, there is much to enjoy.

As you dance around the Maypole with a ribbon in your hand,Know that the Beltane colored ribbons hold magic for you tounderstand.And if you cannot get up and dance, don't let it get you down.Tie some ribbons on a twig and wave it allaround.

A red ribbon for yours and the Goddess's wondrous love,A yellow ribbon for the God and the Beltane Fire and bright sun above.A purple ribbon for your spirit filled with energy and mirth,And green for the beauty of the grass and the strength of sacredMother Earth.

For building positive energy, choose a ribbon of white.And glistening silver for the moon that brings a glow to the Beltanenight.All these ribbons swirling from your twig wand or a poleWill bring wondrous Colors of Magic to fill your soul.

Now that you know what the Beltane Colors Magic mean, it's time for a Beltane spell. Oh how Ilove spells and adding my own special color magic. I'm sure you will love it too.

Beltane is a wondrous time to for friends and family to come together in love and joy. But eventhough Beltane is a joyous, happy holiday, you might know someone who is feeling a bit sadand needs a bit of love and energy to make them feel better. You can use the Colors of Magic

and your own magical energy to help someone feel better. Perhaps it will help them want todance and have fun just like you.

Bringing Joy & Energy to Another Beltane Spell

What you need:

1. A white ribbon (for positivity)2. A green ribbon (for strength)3. A red ribbon (for love)4. A purple ribbon (for your energizing spirit)5. A twig6. The image (a picture in your mind) of someone you know who isfeeling sad.

Tie your ribbons to your twig. As you tie them, think about what eachribbon means. Imagine yourself dancing and swirling your ribbonsaround the person. Or perhaps you could share what you plan to dowith the person and ask them to actually be a part of it. What awonderful way to bring joy to both of you.

Whether you are imagining the person or have them with you, saythe following as you dance and/or swirl your ribbon wand. Do thisthree times and I'm sure you will have them smiling and feeling morejoyful before you are even finished with your spell.

By this ribbon of white, please take the sadness away.By this ribbon of green, bring strength to smile on this May Day.

By this ribbon of red, help me share my love as I dance around.By this ribbon of purple, may you energize their spirit, from their head to the ground.

By my words and my actions I cast this spell.May all I've said and done help you feel happy and well.

Please come join me in celebration as we dance in fun and with glee,By the love of the God and Goddess, So Mote It Be!

I can just imagine how wonderful you must feel knowing that you have brought asmile and energy to another by simply using a few magical tools...ribbons, colorand feelings. You are indeed a unique and caring magical witch.

Jimmy Spills the Beansby Evelien Roos

Jimmy heard a soft knock on the door and went to fetch Isobel. After the visit of the twonieces, Nelly and Celia, Jimmy had been a bit careful when people came to visit. He tended tostay with Isobel, until he was sure the visitors were not going to harm her.

He was surprised to hear an exited squeal from Isobel. “Celia! What are you doing here?”The ladies made their way into the living room and Jimmy hid in his corner. People were

not to know about his ability to speak with them, so he generally kept to himself.Celia sat down, hands folding in her lap. “I… I… I was just… wondering, I guess.”Isobel gently sat herself next to the shy girl. “What?” she asked, sweetly.“A… a lot of things actually. I wonder how you can be so wise, when you're my age, and

how you could be so calm and self assured when Nelly was nearly breaking down your door.”Celia looked up through her lashes. “I was scared half to death with her in that mood.”

Isobel chuckled. “Well, for starters, I wasn't all that unfazed, but I knew that cowering andletting my fear show, would not benefit any of us. So, I kept up a mask, until Nelly had calmeddown.”

Celia sat up straighter. “Wh… what? You're JOKING!”Isobel shook her head. “No, I'm not. I thought you were very brave though.”Celia gasped and Jimmy saw her straighten even more. “Me?! I was so SCARED.”Isobel had heard Jimmy move and winked at him. “I know, but still you came with her, to

help, to stop her, to do what was necessary. That took guts. Come, I’ll make some more tea.You look like you could use a bit of catnip.”

Following Isobel to the kitchen, Celia frowned. “Catnip?! I'm a human…”Jimmy sniggered and patted after them.

That day, Celia asked if she could be Isobel’s student. Isobel was delighted and suddenlyJimmy saw a lot more of the timid lady.

With time, Celia started to open up, and Jimmy noticed that she stood straighter andstarted to dare and do. If she questioned Isobel, at first she would stutter and um her waythrough, as if she was scared to ask. Later on she boldly asked or gave her opinion. Jimmy likedthat.

Celia was a good person. The fact that she had been so timid had felt wrong. He said so toIsobel, who proudly beamed at him.

“I know. And I'm so proud of both of you! Her for growing like that, and you for noticing allthat. You know, I'm thinking about letting her help in a ritual.”

Jimmy thoughtfully tapped his paw to his nose. “You think she’s ready?” he asked, knowingthat Isobel usually had him help, to guide the magick.

“Only one way to find out…” Isobel grinned.

Celia was nervously pacing the study. “Are you sure? I mean, I’ve never even been an altargirl.”

Isobel scoffed. “How else will one learn, if not from doing? Honestly, Celia. It isn't theexperience that makes things work. It’s your intention.”

Jimmy sniggered behind his paw. He loved when Isobel got all sassy.Celia turned around at he sound and gasped. “Isobel…” she hissed in a whisper. “… there's

a hedgehog in the room!”Isobel cast him an amused glance. “There you are! Ready to help out, Jimmy?”In answer, Jimmy scuttled towards her and she picked him up. “Celia, meet Jimmy, my

familiar.” She said calmly and lifted up Jimmy’s chin to show off the collar and pendant. “Hehelps with my magick. Tonight we’re just making Holy Water, but I value Jimmy’s input.”

Celia frowned a bit. “Holy Water? Isn't that a Christian practice?” Isobel sighed and putdown the bowl of salt she held. “Not really. All kinds of enchanted water have been used farbefore the Christians ever surfaced. Luna water, Mars water, Rose water… and Holy Water.”

She turned and set Jimmy on the altar. There were several pieces of paper on it and eachbore a sigil or sign. “Jimmy, you pick our symbol for today, will you?”

Celia stared at Jimmy, eyes sceptic. “He can’t understand you, can he?” she queried.Jimmy shot her an angry glance and concentrated. All symbols glowed with magick, but the

triple Moon sigil was glowing the strongest. He scuttled over to it and the tingle he felt comingfrom it confirmed his feeling. This one was for tonight.

“This one, Isobel.” he said, causing Isobel to gasp and Celia to make a squeaking sound. Heturned to look at them. “Oops. Did I just spill the beans on our secret?”

RIBBONS

Pooka watched as Elsie tied ribbons on the

Maypole. I know what the colors mean, he told Elsie. You

do? What's the pink ribbon for? Elsie asked.

Pink is for love, said Pooka. And the yellow

one? asked Elsie. The yellow ribbon is for joy,

Pooka said. What about the blue ribbon? said

Elsie. Blue is for peace, Pooka told her,

and the green ribbon is for catnip. I'll take that

ribbon, please!