Welcome to the Ancient Whispers Newsletter, a multi-cultural newsletter with a little something for everyone of any creed or religion. Here you will find inspiring quotes, irreverent jokes, crafts, and most importantly, historical and/or religious scholarship. Every Wednesday a new edition should appear on this website with reminder emails sent out the night before to those who have opted to join one of the many forums and mailing lists to which I subscribe. If you wish to share this newsletter with others, please keep it intact with the original authors' names on all the articles. Any articles or sections, to which an author or URL is not affixed, were written by Candace (with the exception of the various jokes found herein).
Questions, comments, and topical requests are encouraged and should be posted to the AskCandace open forum at yahoogroups. I'd like to start a help column for the newsletter, so if you'd like to have your problem featured in a newsletter, let me know when you post.
Some Sites of Interest
A Collection of Beltaine Recipes
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This Pagan Week : April/May
Humor : Oops
Article : Beltaine
Quote :
Jose Ramon Bosch
Craft of the Week : Flower Chains
Humor : Florist Friars
Who's Who in World Mythology : Baau
Quote : Martin Luther King Jr.
The Magi's Garden : Chamomile
Cartoon
Poem : Instructions for a Healthy Garden
Quote : Emile Zola
The Power of Stones : Braunite
Humor : Desperate
A Dreamer's Guide : Orchestra to Orphans
Quote : Mary Kay Ash
Previous Newsletters
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Some Sites of Interest
Beltaine Recipes
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7039/AshlinCD.html
http://www.singlemomz.com/holidays/mayday/recipes.shtml
http://www.unc.edu/~reddeer/recipe/rec_beltain.html
http://hearthandhomewitchery.com/beltanefeast.html
The Pagan Month of April/May
can be found in its entirety Here. For more detailed entries, please visit the full calendar.
The name of this month comes from the Latin word aperire, "to open." This is appropriate for a month of blossoming flowers dedicated to Aphrodite.
The Anglo-Saxon name for this month is Eastermonath, the month of Eostre the goddess of Spring and origin of Easter. The Irish word for April is Aibrean or an Giblean. The end of April is known as Seachtain an t-Sionnaich, end of the winds. The Franks called it Ostarmanoth. The Asatru and many other Pagans call it Ostara.
The first Full Moon of this month is called Seed of Planting Moon, Budding Tree Moon, or Growing Moon. It is also referred to as Pink Moon, Green Grass Moon, Planter or Planting Moon, and Hare Moon, names it shares with May’s Moon. It also shares the name, Wind Moon, with March.
On April 20th, the zodiac turns from Aries to Taurus. April’s stone and the birthstone of The sweat pea is the flower for April children. Aries is the diamond, though on some older lists, sapphire is the stone for the month of April. The birthstone for Taurus is the emerald. Aries also lays claim to amethyst, carnelian, garnet, fire agate, pink tourmaline, and topaz, while aquamarine, lapis lazuli, kunzite, rose quartz, and sapphire are associated with Taurus.
Lunar Holy Days
The Christian holiday of Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon of the spring equinox. Though one of the most important Christian holidays, it was drawn together from many pagan traditions, and its name came from the goddess of Spring, Eostre. The Easter Bunny is a fertility symbol of Teutonic origin, and the hare was an emblem of Eostre. Eggs, a major part of the celebration, also have their origin as fertility symbols.
The first Thursday after the 19th of April is Sumarda Gurinn-fyrsti, the first day of summer in Iceland.
The first or third Saturday in April is Glen Saturday. The children of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire gather to pick daffodils at Crawfurdland Castle.
Floralia
Vesta
Floralia
Pagan Tree Day
Floralia
Acca Larentia or Laurentia
Oidhche Bhealtaine, Bealtaine Eve, May Eve, Walpurgis Night, Cernunnos Dydd ( Day of Cernunnos)
Brocken mountain reclaimed by women's groups
festival of the dead
Alexander Sanders
In May get a weed-hook, a crotch [fork], and a glove,
And weed out such weeds as the corn do not love.
May is named for Maia Majestas, the Roman goddess of spring who encourages crops to grow. She is the chief goddess of the Seven Sisters or Pleiades. She can be equated with the Irish Queen Medb or Celtic Meave. Hawthorm, her sacred plant, blossoms during this month. Artemis, Diana, Faunus, Flora, and Pan also have dominion over this month.
The Anglo-Saxons called this month Thrimilcmonath, "thrice-milk month." In England, May was also called Sproutkale. Winnemanoth, "joy month," was the Frankish name, and the Asatru name is Merrymoon. The Irish call May Bealtaine or an Ceitean, the first weather of summer. The two weeks before Bealtaine is ceitean earrach, spring May-time, and the two weeks after Bealtaine is ceitean samhradh, summer May-time. Bealtaine, also associated the God Bel, means 'the fires of Bel'.
The first Full Moon of May is called the Flower Moon. It shares the names Planting Moon, Hare Moon, Pink Moon, and Green Grass Moon with April. The May moon is also the Bright Moon, Dryad Moon, the Moon When the Pony Sheds, the Frogs Return Moon, and Sproutkale.
The sun passes from Taurus to Gemini around May 21st. Those born in May have the lilly of the valley for their birth flower. The stone for the month of May, and for Taurus, is the emerald, though agate, chalcedony, and carnelian are sometimes mentioned for May instead, while Gemini lays claim to agate, particularly moss agate, and pearl. Aquamarine, lapis lazuli, kunzite, rose quartz, and sapphire are associated with Taurus, and chrysoprase, sapphire, and topaz are connected to Gemini.
Lunar Holy Days
In the Buddhist tradition, the first Full Moon of May is celebrated in honor of the enlightenment of Buddha.
The Thursday before the New Moon is the festival of Mjollnir, celebrated in honor of Thor's hammer. During the Middle Ages, this was a good time for ritual contests and trial by combat.
On the third Monday or Tuesday after Easter, the English holiday of Hocktide was celebrated. Ropes were used to "hock" or catch members of the opposite sex.
The seventh Thursday after Easter is the Russian spring festival called Semik.
The first Tuesday of May is the Ffair Ffyliaid, Fools' Fair, in Llanerfyl Wales.
Floralia
Litha
May Day, Beltane, La Bealtain, Cedsoman or Ceadamh (Irish for the "first of Summer"), May Day, Rood Day, Rudemas, Galan Haf, Walpurgisnacht
The Landing of the Tuatha De Danann in Ireland
Bona Dea
Tanat or Tanith
Braggi and Iduna
Order of the Illuminati
Floralia
Elena or Helen
hobbyhorse fertility festival
Tane Matsuri
Princess Ysahodhara
Bona Dea
Osiris Goes Forth
secret festival for Bona Dea
Eta Aquarids
Floralia
limit any travel planned for the day to foil mischievous fairies
Veneration of the Thorn/ Lunantisidhe
prayers to rain deities
Tango no Sekko
Day of the Living children of Nut
Eyvind Kelve
Long Island Church of Aphrodite established
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| Humor: Oops |
|---|
| A man received a beautiful flower arrangement at his newly opened business, but was puzzled by the card, which read "With Deepest Sympathy.” A few minutes later, the florist called apologizing profusely.
"You got the wrong card. I am very sorry about that. You should have received the card that was sent with the arrangement to the funeral home. The family was rather upset by the message." "Why? What did my card say?" "Congratulations on your relocation.” |
Article : Beltaine
by Candace
Beltaine Origins and Customs
The holy day of Beltaine has had many names in many languages. In Germany, it is Walpurgis Night, named for St Walburga. Of course, this saint had nothing to do with the May Eve celebrations, but the name remains. Beltaine is also Cetsamhain (opposite Samhain), May Day, Giamonios, and Rood Day. The name Rood Day or Roodmas is a Christian name for this holiday derived from the Church's attempt to divert people from honoring the May Pole to honoring the Rood or Cross. The Puritans even went so far as to make the Maypole illegal in 1644.
Our ancestors counted days as beginning from nightfall on and so, Beltaine begins on evening of the last day of April to the following day. Traditionally this was a floating holiday however, celebrated at the peak of the month of Taurus (approximately May 4th or 5th). Many celebrate on April 30th or May 1st, but other traditions call for Beltaine to be held on the first Full Moon of May which will fall on May 7th this year.
No matter the name of the holiday, the origins of Beltaine can be seen in its name. If it comes from "Balder's Fire," a Norse solar god, the fires of this holy day may commemorate his funeral pyre. As a Celtic fire festival, modern Pagans commemorate the union of the goddess and god and the fecundity of the earth at this time. Other possible origins of the name come from Bel-tinne "Bel's Fire" or Belotenia "bright fire" from the god of light and the underworld, Bel, Beli, Belinus, or Bile. In the Isle of Lewis, Beltaine is interpreted as beulteine "mouth-fire," and elsewhere the name was interpreted as bil-tene "lucky fire." In the Western Isles where yellow is a lucky color, this holy day was referred to as "lath buidhe Bealtaine," the yellow (lucky) day of Beltaine.
All goddesses of song and dance, flowers, the hunt, and fertility can be honored on Beltaine. For those of the Greek and Roman traditions, the goddesses Aphrodite/Venus, Artemis/Diana, Hilaria, Baubo, Cybele, Cupra, Rhea, and Flora may be revered. Those of the Celtic traditions may celebrate in honor of Blodewedd, Damara, Fand, Ariel, Flidias, Rhiannon, or Shiela-na-gig. Teutonic traditions may choose from Skadi, Var, Freya, and Lofn, and Tuulikki and Mielikki are two Finnish goddesses honored at this time. Devana and Perchta may be worshiped by those of the Slavic traditions. Aztec traditions may choose from Xochiquetzal and Ilamatecuhti. Erzulie is honored by Voudoun practitioners, and the Rainbow Snake may be remembered in Australia.
Fertility gods and gods of the hunt and love are honored at Beltaine. The Horned God, Herne, Bel or Belanos, Manawyddan, Puck, Beltene, and Robin Goodfellow may be included in Beltaine celebrations among those following the Celtic path. Norse traditions may venerate Odin or Frey. Those of the Greek or Roman traditions may choose to honor Cupid/Eros, Orion, Faunus, or Pan, and Chors is a Slavic god honored at this time.
The colors of Beltaine are red, green, white, and dark yellow. Sycamore trees represent the God, and the leaves have long been used in Jack in the Green symbols found in pub signs and old churches. The wood is used green for carving and given as "love spoon" tokens in Wales for betrothals around May Day. Birches represent the goddess and are used as the wood of the May Pole. Other symbols of the holy day are eggs, flowers, the chalice, butter churns, May baskets, and crossroads.
Traditional foods of Beltaine come from the dairy. Butter, milk, cheeses, eggs, and honey are all customary on this day. Honeyed mead is a favorite drink associated with Beltaine. Oatcakes, May Cakes, and bannocks were also eaten, scored with the lines of the Bel-fires.
On May Eve, bonfires called Balefires were kindled in the proscribe manner or kindled from the sky (lightning or using a lens to focus the sun's light). On beacon hills, fires were lit. During times of trouble or emergency, these fires were also used to alert Britain. Hearth fires would be extinguished and relit from Need-Fire. Herdsmen would drive their stock between two fires or through the ashes of one to purify and preserve them from illness in the coming year. This would also ensure their fertility and copious milk supply. People jumped over the fires or ran between them three times for luck, for a bountiful harvest, or for whatever else they might need while the rest of the group sang and danced. Many couples still leap the fires together or jump the cauldron to help conceive.
Fire divination is a common practice during Beltaine, seers staring into the flames seeking shapes to interpret. Morris and sword dances are all part of Beltaine fertility rites. Parades including Robin Hood, Maid Marion, and the Merry Men are also customary at this time. Dancing all night in fields ensures a healthy crop. The dancers attempt to jump as high as they can in an effort to make crops grow tall. On night of April 30, a custom called "bringing in the May" is enacted in some areas. Similar to "trick-or-treating," revelers stop at homes on the way back to their villages, leaving flowers gathered from the woodlands. For this service, they receive treats, blessing those who were generous or wishing ill luck on those who were not. Another Beltaine custom involves the first dew of May. Maidens bathe their faces in May Morning dew to preserve beauty. The ancient trees by the sacred wells of Europe are often festooned with rags from the clothes of the sick to bring them health. The water of the wells was used for blessings.
Beltaine is a time of binding two into one. Weaving, braiding, knot work are all customary activities of this holy day. Braiding flowers into garlands and dancing the Maypole are both excellent ways to celebrate Beltaine.
At this time of year, fairy protections were common. Daisy chains were placed around the necks of children, and livestock were fed dill weed in an effort to protect them from mischievous sprites. Throwing a hot coal in the churn could protect the butter Hawthorn and rowan were very protective woods used at this time. Rowan crosses or a branch over the home fire (the symbol of the luck of the house) protected the fortune of the home. Ringing bells will drive off the more unpleasant sprite, while leaving the good Folk untouched. Leaving out offerings to the Fairies is also a time honored tradition of Beltaine.
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| Quote: Jose Ramon Bosch |
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We became poor because we forgot how rich we really are. |
Craft of the Week: Flower Chains
Gather or buy enough flowers with long flexible stems to full a shopping bag. Begin with two flowers crossed over one another in an X. Bend the stem of the top flower around the stem of the bottom flower, and fold the length of the remaining stem away from the flower heads. Take a third flower and place it across the first two, repeating the steps you performed with the first to flowers. Continue like this until you are satisfied with the length of your chain. Tie the very last stem around the first one to form a ring, and wear it as a crown or necklace.
If the stems are too brittle, you can opt to use a pin or your fingernail to make a slit in each flower stem about one inch below the flower head. Slip the stem of a second flower through the slit in the first stem. Repeat this process until the flower chain is as long as you want, then slip the last flower through the slit in the first to form a ring.
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| Humor : Florist Friars |
|---|
| Several friars at a monastery decided to start a business so they could make donations to a local charity which they deemed a worthy cause. After much deliberation, the friars decided that, due to their gardening expertise, they should start a flower business.
After a couple months, the friars' flower business was doing extremely well - so well, in fact, that the local florist was beginning to suffer. The florist, realizing that his livelihood might be in jeopardy, approached the friars and asked them to find another business so that he might continue operating profitably. The friars politely said, "No." It was too lucrative. After a couple more months, the florist's business was very bad and things looked bleak. Realizing that her son's business was failing, the florist's mother approached the friars and asked them to cease the floral business so that her son could continue. The friars were polite but once again said, "No." A couple months more passed and the local florist had lost most of his customers to the friars. His family was suffering badly since the florist had practically no income. In desperation, the florist hired Hugh McNally, a local strongman to "convince" the friars to stop. Hugh went to the monastery and asked the friars to please discontinue selling flowers because they had taken most of the business of the village florist. Once again, the friars politely said, "No." Hugh, a man of great actions but few words and less temper, beat up a half dozen of the friars. He destroyed their flowers and trampled their gardens. Immediately, the friars had a meeting and decided that it was in everyone's best interests to terminate the business. The moral to this story is very simple: Hugh, and only Hugh, can prevent florist friars. |
Who's Who in World Mythology : Baau
For past articles and the bibliography, please go to the
Who's Who Archive.
In the Phoenician creation legends, Baau is the wife of Kolpia and mother of Aion and Protogonos.
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| Quote: Martin Luther King Jr. |
|---|
but the silence of our friends. |
The Magi's Garden: Chamomile
For past featured foliage and the bibliography, please go to the
The Magi's Garden Archive.
Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis)
Description: Chamomile is found throughout western and southern Europea. It also grows in North America. It is a perennial, preferring dry field as well as gardens. The root is jointed and fibrous. The downy stem is procumbent and branching, growing from eight to twelve inches. The alternating pale-green leaves are bipinnate, finely dissected, and downy to glabrous. From June to September, a solitary, terminal flower head one inch across appears. The daisy-like, prominent yellow disk is surrounded by silver-white ray petals. All chamomiles have a minute, chaffy scale between each two florets. The plant has a faint apple-like odor.
Effects: strong
Planet: Sun Zodiac: Leo
Element: fire
Associated Deities: any solar deity
Traditions:
The name chamomile comes from the plant’s distinct, apple-like odor. The Greeks named it ground-apple, from kamai ‘on the ground’ and melon meaning ‘apple.’ The Spanish name, Manzilla, also means little apple.
Chamomile is said to have been used in Egypt by priests to treat patients suffering from fever. It is considered most powerful during Midsummer and Yule.
Magic:
Chamomile may be added to any spell for success and money. Wash your hands in an infusion of chamomile before gambling to ensure a good luck streak. An infusion in the bath is also said to attract love, so you might want to watch out for golddiggers if you start winning big in Vegas!
It is also purifying and protective. Sprinkle around any property to remove curses and spells cast against you. A wreath of the herb is protective against lightning.
The Romans suggested chamomile for poisonous serpent bites, but it is generally considered healing for the garden. If any plant in the garden is ailing, planting a chamomile nearby is supposed to help it recover. An incense made of chamomile may be used to induce sleep and for meditation.
Known Combinations:
none noted
Medical Indications: (Caution: Chamomile should not be used for long periods of time as this may lead to a ragweed allergy, and it should not be used by those who are already allergic to ragweed.) Parts Used: flowers
Chamomile is an anodyne, antispasmodic, aromatic, bitter tonic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, nervine, mild sedative, and appetite stimulant. A hot wash of the flowers, vinegar, and water may be used for earache. Boil the flowers and then let them cool for a poultice for pain from injury. Any dressing of chamomile is good for open sores and wounds as well as sunburn. It is also useful for teething and toothache. Add to milk for a lotion for dry, chapped skin and as a shampoo for fair hair.
Any stomach upset can be treated with chamomile, including motion sickness. The tea is used to treat flatulent colic, colitis, diverticulosis, and dyspepsia. It is also useful in reducing fever and headache, stress, anxiety, insomnia and restlessness. The oil is used internally for colic, spasms, stomach cramps, and menstrual cramps.
Nutrition:
Aside from its use as a tea, chamomile is not put to much culinary use. It is used in Spain to flavor a very light sherry.
Mercantile Uses:
Bees like this plant but it also attracts small flies. The flowers may be added to potpourris.
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Cartoon
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Poem : Instructions for a Healthy Garden
Plant three rows of peas:
Peas of mind
Peas of heart
Peas of soul
Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness
Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be happy
Lettuce really love one another
No garden should be without turnips:
Turnip to serve when needed
Turnip to heal our earth and each other
Turnip to help one another
Turnip the music and dance
To conclude our garden we must have thyme:
Thyme for fun and thyme for rest
Thyme for ourselves and each other
Thyme to blossom and to share
Thyme to care
Water freely with Patience
and Cultivate with Love.
There is much fruit in your garden
Because you reap what you sow.
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| Quote : Emile Zola |
|---|
but the gift is nothing without work. |
The Power of Stones: Braunite
For past articles and the bibliography, please go to the
Power of Stones Archive.
Braunite forms metallic black to brown crystals. It is used in meditation to obtain information of the past and future. This stone also provides ideas on endurance and perseverance.
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The desperate customer turned to the other man and begged, "May I please have those roses? I’ll pay any amount you want!"
"What happened?" the first man asked. "Did you forget your wedding anniversary?"
"It's even worse than that," the second man confided glumly. "I broke my wife's hard drive." A Dreamer's Guide : Orchestra to Orphans
For past articles and the bibliography, please go to the
Pleasant entertainment and a cultured sweetheart is signified by being a member of or playing in an Orchestra.If you saw the conductor, you will have a happy home life. If you heard orchestra music, your understanding of human nature will make you well liked and popular. You will have a small increase in wealth if you attended with your family.
Your happiness is assured by a dream of Orchids. If you had some, you will have luck and prosperity, and buying them also means abundance. If you gave one to an unmarried person, there will be a short engagement before marriage, but if the person you gave it to was already married, beware jealous friends.
You will be grateful for service rendered you if you dreamt of giving Orders, and your family will be large if you obeyed them. You will be obedient to superiors if you put things in order, while ordering things through the mail means you are too gullible.
If you heard Organ music, you will have lasting friendships and stable finances. An organ in a Church denotes the separation of families. If you played beautiful music on an organ, you will be fortunate in the acquisition of worldly possessions and social distinction. Mournful singing accompanied by organ music predicts some tedious task and possibly the loss of friends or position. Selling an organ denotes some painful experience, while buying one may indicate you will soon have cause to mourn. A funeral march played on an organ is favorable to love.
Bodily Organs foretell the birth of a girl, but oversized organs indicate the arrival of a boy. If the organs were those of a sick person, you will feel despair through slander. Organs associated with smell predict prosperity, while organs pertaining to sound denote personal honors. Flabby organs mean you will discover the identity of someone who is betraying you. You will lose one who you dearly love if you had any organs removed. Unhealthy organs predict the death of a parent.
A hasty friend will cause you much inconvenience if you dreamt of an Organist. If you dreamt of being an organist, your demanding love will cause your sweetheart to consider leaving you.
Moderation in all things is the key to success if you dreamt of an Orgy.
A dream of the Orient predicts a long trip. Your romantic happiness will not last if you saw oriental people. Traveling to the Orient is a warning not to put too much stock in people’s promises, but returning from the Orient promises a comfortable living.
A dream of an Oriole means you will soon be singing with joy.
Wearing Ornaments in your dream indicates a flattering honor to be bestowed upon you. You will be fortunate if you received any, while giving them away predicts recklessness and extravagance.
Comforting Orphans means the suffering of others will touch your heart, causing you to give up your own pleasure in order to help others. If the orphans were related to you, new duties will interfere with friendships and love. You will receive an inheritance if you dreamt of a child becoming an orphan, and several in an orphanage indicate a change of surroundings. Your happiness is assured if you adopted one.
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Ancient Whispers Newsletter Archive
Humor : Desperate
A man stopped at a florist shop after work to pick up roses for his wife. As the clerk was putting on the finishing touches on the bouquet, another man burst through the door, breathlessly requesting a dozen red roses. "I'm sorry," the clerk said. "This man just ordered our last bunch."
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Dreamer's Guide Archive.
Quote : Mary Kay Ash
but the bumble bee doesn't know it
so it goes on flying anyway.
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