May Day!

Happy May Day! The Gaelic May Day festival known as Beltane (Beltaine) in the western world is here once more. The big seasonal wheel in the sky is at one of the eight spooks of the, the halfway point between the Spring Equinox and the upcoming Summer Solstice on June 21st.

As many of you know I have a special kinship with this ancient Celtic holy day. Today Greg and I will trim one of our oaks in the front slope to create a new pathway to the our blooming native garden. These leaves will be infused and tinctured as an addition to the Q (Quercus) natural perfume.
Each leaf will be meticulously cleaned, dried, mindfully cut with an intention to spread awareness of our california oaks and then placed into organic alcohol based and organic jojoba oil.



In the past I suggested Q for May Day, however, since this festival is about the abundance of nature and Spring flowers it feels like they all work to a greater or lesser degree. Even the new Figure 1: Noir with its deep, earthy, vital soil characteristics.

There are many plants associated with Beltane, including what is termed May Bushes, here's a few bits from Wikipedia.

Flowers and May Bushes

Yellow flowers such as primrose, rowan, hawthorn, gorse, hazel and marsh marigold were set at doorways and windows in 19th century Ireland, Scotland and Mann. Sometimes loose flowers were strewn at the doors and windows and sometimes they would be made into bouquets, garlands or crosses and fastened to them. They would also be fastened to cows and equipment for milking and butter making. It is likely that such flowers were used because they evoked fire.[2] Similar May Day customs are found across Europe.

The May Bush was popular in parts of Ireland until the late 19th century.[3] This was small tree, typically a thorn tree, that would be decorated with bright flowers, ribbons, painted shells, and so forth. There were household May Bushes (which would be set outside each house) and communal May Bushes (which would be set in a public spot or paraded around the neighbourhood). In Dublin and Belfast, May Bushes were brought into town from the countryside and decorated by the whole neighbourhood.[3] Each neighbourhood vied for the most handsome tree and, sometimes, residents of one would try to steal the May Bush of another. This led to the May Bush being outlawed in Victorian times.[3] In some places, it was customary to dance around the May Bush, and at the end of the festivities it was burnt in the bonfire.[15] Thorn trees were seen as special trees and were associated with the sí or fairies. The custom of decorating a May Bush or May Tree was found in many parts of Europe. Frazer believes that such customs are a relic of tree worship and writes: "The intention of these customs is to bring home to the village, and to each house, the blessings which the tree-spirit has in its power to bestow".[16] Sharon MacLeod writes that May Bushes were set outside farmhouses "to encourage and protect the abundance of milk during the summer".[17] Emyr Estyn Evans suggests that the May Bush custom may have come to Ireland from England, because it seemed to be found in areas with strong English influence and because the Irish saw it as unlucky to damage certain thorn trees.[18] However, "lucky" and "unlucky" trees varied by region,[17] and it has been suggested that Beltane was the only time when cutting thorn trees was allowed.[19] The practice of bedecking a May Bush with flowers, ribbons, garlands and coloured shells is found among the Gaelic diaspora, most notably in Newfoundland, and in some Easter traditions on the East Coast of the United States.[11]

May your day be bright and filled with the abundance of Spring Season where ever your dwell!

More May Day related posts at this journal can be found here.

Images: Divinus and the Q illumination by Greg Spalenka

[2] Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996. pp.218-225
[3]Monaghan, Patricia. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore. Infobase Publishing, 2004. pp.40-43[11] Danaher, Kevin (1972) The Year in Ireland: Irish Calendar Customs Dublin, Mercier. ISBN 1-85635-093-2 pp. 86–127[15] Frazer, James George (1922). The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. Chapter 62: The Fire-Festivals of Europe.[16] Frazer, James George (1922). The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. Chapter 10: Relics of Tree Worship in Modern Europe.[17] MacLeod, Sharon Paice. Celtic Myth and Religion. McFarland, 2011. pp.165-166[18] Evans, Emyr Estyn. Irish Folk Ways. Routledge, 1957. pp.272-274
[19]  Watts, D C. Dictionary of Plant Lore. Academic Press, 2007. p.246

May Flowers: Lighting the Beltane Fires

Welcome to the Merry Month of May blogging festival of flowers. Beth Schreibman Gehring, from The Windesphere Witch, opens our circle today. Come by daily for a dose of inspiration from friends around the world as each one contributes a flower to our fragrant bouquet.

Lighting the Beltane Fires by Beth Schreibman Gehring

All the images are from antique postcards from Argentina sent to and from family members on my mothers side ©RoxanaVilla.

Perfume Illuminated: Fire and Smoke

Round and round we go, finding our selves at the Celtic holy day and one of the fire festivals known as Beltane. It's no coincidence that this splendid Spring point of time also falls on Arbor day. Celebrations for Beltane/Beltaine, also termed May Day, begin this evening when fires are lit welcoming the light, the return of the Green time, and the marriage of Earth and Sky, Lord and Lady.

As many of you already know, Celtic and pagan traditions are very dear to my heart as they are to Beth. Thus, as co-conspirators in the awakening of the senses, we have chosen to focus on the fragrance and flavor of fire, which manifests itself as smoke, in today's edition of the Perfume Illuminated Project.

FRAGRANCE

Beltane heralds in the Summertime and is one of eight solar Sabbats. It is an occasion where the veils between the worlds are at their most transparent and the Faerie Queen may be spotted riding on her white stead. The festival has a strong association to elemental fire, referring to the return of the light half of the year and the rising of lusty passions. Traditionally bonfires are built and leaped over as an act of purification.

The fragrance of smoke in natural and botanical perfume is primarily derived from the essences of Choya Nakh, Cade and Birch Tar. This trio of aromatics is very strong and is best utilized in small amounts. If put on a scent strip undiluted Choya Nakh will last for months, indicating it's steadfast and tenacious nature.


Choya Nakh is the result of the distillation of sea shells within earthen vessels in India. I immediately feel in love with this raw material the first time I inhaled it's strong aroma. It's not for everyone, like Patchouli it seems to cause a love it or hate it reaction. The word Choya stands for "traditional distillation in an earthen vessel", other Choyas include Choya Loban (Frankincense, Boswellia serrata) and Choya Ral (Shorea robusta an Asian tree).

In constructing a perfume for Beltane consider notes from the green, floral, fruit and wood families as the main thematic elements with just a hint of smoke for the purification aspect. Since water is another key elemental of the festival I'm really liking the addition of Choya Nakh, aince it is from sea shells. Where as in the past I anointed myself with Q for this threshold into the new season, today I will choose the solid Page 47. Page 47 is a lusty earthy floral beach scent that was created last August in celebration of my birth date. This fragrance has been reformatted slightly and will rebirth anew on May 27th.

"Thanks invisible physician, for thy silent deciduous medicine, thy day and night, thy waters and thy airs, the banks, the grass, the trees, and e'en the weeds."
~ Walt Whitman, "The Oaks and I"

I've written quite a bit about Beltane here at the journal, read the entry from 2008 here and 2009 here.


Events that you might enjoy this weekend to get into the theme of Beltane is the Renaissance Faire and May Faires happening at Waldorf schools throughout the northern hemisphere. This afternoon I am off to our local Waldorf school to help set up for tomorrows fair where you will spot a splendid Maypole for dancing. The photo above is from Eve in 3rd or 4th grade participating in the Maypole dance with her class at Highland Hall Waldorf School.

FLAVOR: Beth Schreibman Gehring

Please continue reading about Fire and Smoke at the Windesphere Witch blog

IMAGES: Opening painting by John Melhuish Strudwick. The images of the Shell, the Nose and Mouth are old engravings that I have cleaned up and modified. The photo of the MayFaire dance is by Ben Neuhart.

That lusty month of May

The big seasonal wheel has reached an important spoke this day. The day has many names most often referred to as May Day and Beltane (Beltaine) in the western world. I adore this ancient Celtic holy day and feel it's fabric woven deep into my bones.

Beltane marks the shift to the "light" half of the year. Traditionally at midnight ancient folk would gather boughs and flowers to adorn their homes in honor of the wakening mighty Sun in the morning. This eve I shall gather native oak leaves for the creation of the fragrance Q, for Quercus. I will then meticulously clean the leaves, allow them to dry, cut them and make a tincture and infusion. The tincture is for the alcohol based liquid perfume where as
the infusion into oil will be for the upcoming solid version.

The custom of honoring the bounty of Spring is still celebrated by creating May Day floral bouquets to hang from doors. My inspirational friend Nicole of Lillyella did a "How to create a May Day Bouquet" on her blog today. They are so pretty and great fun to make. Floral garlands made with raffia and clippings from your garden are other beautiful ways to decorate the hearth.

At Waldorf Schools all over the world there will be dancing around the Maypole. My daughter Eve participated in this activity beginning in first grade. It is so beautiful. If you have the opportunity find out if the Waldorf School near you will be having their traditional May Day festival or faire this weekend. They are usually free and a pleasure to witness the dance of the Maypole.

The marriage of the Lord and his Lady, God and Goddess, is another aspect of this day. This sacred union between the masculine and the feminine is seen as a blessing for the upcoming harvest. If you take a hike or walk this weekend become conscious of the images of this dualistic aspect in nature


I've been told that the veils between the worlds are at their thinnest during the Eve of Beltane and Samhain. According to Caitlin and John Matthew, authors of several books on Celtic wisdom, "...the thresholds of Beltane and Samhain are prominent points for both spirits and humans to change their shapes."1


I assembled some lovely items to an ode to this day by creating a treasury om Etsy titled Beltaine. Here is the names and links to these wonderful artisans that have allowed me to feature their imagery here on this day.

1. Opening image at top, Oak Tree photograph, is by Lupe of Honeytree Photography Gallery on Etsy. I placed it in here since I will be going out to harvest leaves of some California native oaks this eve.

2. Flower Cluster is a fine art photograph printed on metallic paper by Carl of Bucks County Frames, perfect example of the blossoming Earth as we move into the Spring.

3. The Pearled Nest Forest Nymph pendant is created by Jacqleen of Sea Unicorn located here in the City of Angels, Spring and her Fae folk.

4. Heart bowl is handmade loveliness by Red Hot Pottery, emblematic of the love between the Lord and his Lady, as well as my love for the native oaks. This item sold, I am intending that the artist has another so that I can swap it out in my treasury!

5. Thin hammered 14K gold band is by Elizabeth Scott in Albany, New York. A gold ring for the Lord and his Lady and to the many circle of people who will gather to celebrate Beltaine!

6. 5 Needle Felted Acron in Pool Blue by truLuxe located in Boston, ode to the Oak and her fruits.

7. Angilene Fairy Wings is by Priddy Lallo attire for the Beltaine dance.

8. Hanging May Day Basket is by Henry and Zoe Studio a beautiful adornment for honoring the return of the Sun, our planets source of light and warmth.

Thank you so very much to these amazing artists and the beauty they create. Here is a link to the treasury I created with even more lovely finds. Be aware this will expire on May 3rd in the evening.

1. Caitlin and John Matthew, The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom, page 151

Beltane Perfume journal post: May 2007

Beltane Perfume

The warming weather, longer daylight hours, the blossoming earth all hearken the turn of the great earth wheel once again. Beltane, one of the high Celtic holy days, has arrived. Traditionally celebrated with wild romps in the woods and dancing around the Maypole the following day. Beltane, also spelled as Beltaine, has very powerful and complex energetics related to it.

For me, it is one of my favorites of the Celt festivals. Appropriately for Illuminated Perfume the holy day marks the beginning of the light in this portion of the great wheel. Boughs and flowers are gathered on the eve before for decoration in honor of the Sun. Cakes and milk is offered to the spirits, standing stones are visited and gentlefolk decorate themselves with garlands, flowers and greenery. The Maypole, masculine energy, is planted into the Earth, feminine energy. Symbolically this represents the movement of energy descending down from Father Sky to meet Mother Earth and bless the land for abundant crops. Two of my teachers, David Crow and Dr. Stephen Johnson, speak of dancing as acupuncture for Mother Earth. I can see clearly how dancing around the Maypole on a high holiday, when the veil between the worlds is thin, would be potent medicine for both Earth and dancer.

Throughout Druidic lore we find the elementals to be at the core of the mythology. Beltane is one of the four "fire" festivals. Fire acting as the primordial source of Life. Water is the second element to be honored for the much needed rainfall assuring abundant crops.

In composing a botanical/natural perfume for Beltane I start with a wood chord/accord for the Maypole. Continuing with Mitti for the Earth, Black Pepper for the Fire, and Jasmine for Water. I add spiritual essences which combine attributes of purification, protection and psychic powers. Tinctures or essences of flowers, berries, leaves and stems are all appropriate for the blooming of the land.

In few years back for Beltane I created the perfume "Q" (for Quercus agrifolia) in honor of the Oak. In the Celtic tree calendar May is devoted to Duir, Oak. This perfume continues to be a favorite, especially for those devoted to pagan traditions and fairy kin.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume™
"Q" Perfume

The image at top is titled MayTree ©Roxana Villa & Greg Spalenka, created from an old engraving. The image of the young lady in the garland is an old engraving placed on parchment. The image at bottom right is ©Greg Spalenka & Roxana Villa, it was created specifically for the "Q" perfume.

Sovereignty

Today was the final class in the California Native Plant Design series at the Theodore Payne Foundation. I now have a complete landscape design using native plants for the front portion of our lot. I chose plants from the Woodland and Chaparral community since that is where our home is located. The intention for the design is beauty and expand awareness of native flora. Aromatic plants were chosen to be included in the creation of botanical perfumes, especially those in the Californica series.

We began the process by removing the vinca, native to Europe, that covered our front slope. I’m sure that process will continue. This past week we started giving away other non-natives in the garden to neighbors, family and friends. Although we still have lots of work to do before we can start planting, I do intend to have some plants in the ground by April!

The painting above is called Sovereignty, the image came to me during a Beltane meditation.

In 1996 I was part of an initiate circle with about seven other women. We would meet once a month at a loft in downtown LA. The intention was greater awareness. We would meditate, drum, read, study archetypal energies, do ritual and practice mindfulness. Here is an excerpt from one of our handouts, by our facilitator and dear friend Kaitryne:
“The Goddess Sovereignty represents the inherit unity of the King and the Land. She also stands for just and truthful dealings among all peoples. She is the epicenter about which the Arthurian Legends revolve, for she is the Goddess of the land and whatever affects the land causes changes in her. The Goddess of Sovereignty holds a four-sided cup of truth and justice: if three falsehoods are said over it: it will shatter into pieces; but if three truths are said over it: it will reunite. Like the Earth itself, she must be respected.”

Of all the archetypes we studied Sovereignty keeps circling back to me, especially now that I find myself defending the Oak trees in and around my community.

If I were to create a perfume in honor of Sovereignty I would start with a base of earthy and woody notes, possibly: Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Mitti, Vetiver, Patchouli. The greenness of Galbanum is a must for its definitive green, fresh earth quality. Where to go from there...hmmm....


Roxana Illuminated Perfume™
The Theodore Payne Foundation
Arthurian Traditions

Sovereignty ©Roxana Villa www.roxanavilla.com