Bullshitng My Way Through Irish Paganism

Queen Maeve (from 'Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race')

DON’T YOU DARE PUT SALT IN THE GROUND.

DO NOT CAST SALT CIRCLE IN THE DIRT. DO NOT SALT THE GROUND TO CLEANSE IT. DO NOT BURY SACHETS THAT INCLUDE SALT.

STOP SALTING THE GROUND.

Hi!!

I don't really do "prayers", so I wouldn't know what prayers you should do but as Beltaine is a fire festival honouring the fertility of the land, abundance of all you have and wish to have, as well as blocking any curses/malevolent spirits, you can use any of those to form a prayer for yourself.

I made a post going more in detail about Bealtaine and how it was celebrated in Ireland years ago here is the link: Bealtaine in Irish Folk Practice

⋆˙⟡ Bealtaine morning canal walk ⟡˙⋆

So many delightful blossoms brightened my walk today; the Hawthorn guided me along the canal, a solid wall of little white five pointed stars. I gathered a few blossoms before stopping to greet a little oak sapling - how quaint he was, so waxy and delicate ! I thoroughly enjoyed imagining what grand sight he will be one day in many centuries to come...⋆˙⟡

I noticed a fallen tree, decomposing and rotting, covered in tiny mushrooms laddering their way up the fallen trunk. Soon enough will it return to the Earth and the cycle will continue again. I wondered what it looked like in its prime, and for how long will its body feed the Earth.

An adorable family of ducks swam by, with two tiny ducklings paddling alongside their mother, who kept a watchful eye as I walked past. Amongst the grass landed an Orange-Tip Butterfly, gracing me with enough seconds to capture a clear picture of its beauty, for which I am honoured and grateful.

Saying goodbye to the canal, my journey took me along a field path, where I admired the budding elderflowers and dreamt of elderflower tea and elderberry syrup. I stopped at the Wise Oaks, placed my hand upon the deep engraving of their trunks, and let my thoughts and worries flow freely. I am always astounded by the warmth of their bark; they truly feel alive. Releasing my hand, I studied the grooves and indentations left in my palm. I saw a fluffy dandelion flower, a cup of water, and Ursa Major. Pondering what this could mean, I gazed into the Oak's bark and the letters 'NW' jumped out at me. I thanked the Wise Oaks and continued along the path.

I plucked a fluffy dandelion and blew facing North West. I watched the seeds flutter in the wind, as I pondered just how far one dandelion could spread its seeds. It was then that I realised there was a path I hadn't ventured to in a while, heading North West ! Hidden just meters away from the road, a path to a wonderful wooded area (much more lush and overgrown since my last visit).

Here I greeted my old Yew friend. Almost every part of the Yew is poisonous, to which I take as a reminder that some things are better honoured from a distance. Nearby, I discovered a delightfully mossy rock beside a tree stump claimed by ivy and sticky-weed. It was here that I found some dandelions that were perfect for foraging, and carried them in my little crocheted pouch (which looks like an orange when cinched ⋆˙⟡).

Upon returning home I carefully plucked each golden petal, evicting any little critters feasting on the pollen, before submerging the petals into a cup of water (freshly boiled). This dandelion tea was oh so delicately floral and slightly honeyed taste. I noticed how the sap of the dandelion had stained my skin, browning with the sun into accidental tattoos !

Finally, I gently plucked each Hawthorn blossom from the branch and placed them into a little dish of water. I left the blossoms to float on my sunny windowsill. I retuned a while later to observe; I saw the number four, a cup of water, and (vaguely, squished) Ursa Major !

Bealtaine is a traditional Irish fire celebration that marks the start of summer. This event, which takes place from sunset on April 30 to noon on May 1, is linked to the fertility, protection, and rebirth of life of nature.

When it comes to Irish folk practice and customs in particular, it's crucial to remember that Beltane is an anglicised method of "simplifying" the original Irish word, which is still used as Gaeilge for the entire month of May, to make it easier for colonisers to understand and speak.

Home and hearth protection is crucial during Bealtaine. The custom of putting yellow flowers, particularly primroses, though Dandelions are a good choice too, on thresholds before the starting sun of Bealtaine rises. These vivid flowers are more than simply attractive; they act as strong barriers against any dangerous magic that might try to enter the house, as well as any Malevolent Spirits or Aos Sidhe. My guess as to why this gives protection (besides the use of intention) is that the flowers resemble the sun and fire, which are things these malevolent beings avoid due to fear.

- Walks from one place to another

- Staring at fire

- Remembering cows are a thing

If you’re celebrating it this year, regardless of your tradition, please take some time to research the roots of this holiday. Do your part to help reverse some of the damage done by the neopagan appropriation of this holiday by learning and incorporating some authentic Irish tradition into your celebrations.

(I also do not want to work)

I'll pick a favorite of the ones that come to mind now: accidental Irish butter burgling!

Irish folk tales are scattered with stories of some innocent person (often a priest) going about their business. Over the wall, around the corner, or from behind a tree, they hear an old witch (cailleach) in the process of stealing milk or butter with magic. Milk and butter were huge sources of income, so it's less that the old witch was craving a fine dollop for her toast, and more that she was trying to make bank.

Bealtaine is a traditional Irish fire celebration that marks the start of summer. This event, which takes place from sunset on April 30 to noon on May 1, is linked to the fertility, protection, and rebirth of life of nature.

When it comes to Irish folk practice and customs in particular, it's crucial to remember that Beltane is an anglicised method of "simplifying" the original Irish word, which is still used as Gaeilge for the entire month of May, to make it easier for colonisers to understand and speak.

Home and hearth protection is crucial during Bealtaine. The custom of putting yellow flowers, particularly primroses, though Dandelions are a good choice too, on thresholds before the starting sun of Bealtaine rises. These vivid flowers are more than simply attractive; they act as strong barriers against any dangerous magic that might try to enter the house, as well as any Malevolent Spirits or Aos Sidhe. My guess as to why this gives protection (besides the use of intention) is that the flowers resemble the sun and fire, which are things these malevolent beings avoid due to fear.

Nature is nature and the forces we've been taught to see as "light" and "dark" exist year round. The summer is full of rattlesnakes and parasitic insects. The sun is high but the heat can be as deadly as the cold. The winter is teeming with softness and life, and things are sleeping softly underground. The night is dark and the sunlight is short, but the snow glows and the ice sings.