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```*+*``` Beltaine ```*+*```

The Return of the Sun
Beltaine is an Anglicization of the Irish "Bealtaine" or the Scottish "Bealtuinn." While "tene" clearly means "fire," nobody really knows whether Bel refers to Belenus, a pastoral god of the Gauls, or is from "bel," simply meaning "brilliant." It might even derive from "bil tene" or "lucky fire" because to jump between two Beltane fires was sure to bring good fortune, health to your livestock, and prosperity.

When the Druids and their successors raised the Beltaine fires on hilltops throughout the British Isles on May Eve, they were performing a real act of magic, for the fires were lit in order to bring the sun’s light down to earth. In Scotland, every fire in the household was extinguished, and the great fires were lit from the need-fire which was kindled by 3 times 3 men using wood from the nine sacred trees. When the wood burst into flames, it proclaimed the triumph of the light over the dark half of the year.

Then the whole hillside came alive as people thrust brands into the newly roaring flames and whirled them about their heads in imitation of the circling of the sun. If any man there was planning a long journey or dangerous undertaking, he leaped backwards and forwards three times through the fire for luck. As the fire sunk low, the girls jumped across it to procure good husbands; pregnant women stepped through it to ensure an easy birth, and children were also carried across the smoldering ashes. When the fire died down, the embers were thrown among the sprouting crops to protect them, while each household carried some back to kindle a new fire in their hearth. When the sun rose that dawn, those who had stayed up to watch it might see it whirl three times upon the horizon before leaping up in all its summer glory.

The Rites of Spring
Beltaine was a time of fertility and unbridled merrymaking, when young and old would spend the night making love in the Greenwood. In the morning, they would return to the village bearing huge budding boughs of hawthorn (the may-tree) and other spring flowers with which to bedeck themselves, their families, and their houses. They would process back home, stopping at each house to leave flowers, and enjoy the best of food and drink that the home had to offer. In every village, the maypole—usually a birch or ash pole—was raised, and dancing and feasting began. Festivities were led by the May Queen and her consort, the King who was sometimes Jack-in-the-Green, or the Green Man, the old god of the wildwood. They were borne in state through the village in a cart covered with flowers and enthroned in a leafy arbor as the divine couple whose unity symbolized the sacred marriage of earth and sun. --submitted by Sarah McDonough  (http://www.chalicecentre.net/beltaine.htm)

```*+*``` Allied and Friends Events ```*+*```

Spring Market: The monthly market was held in Tower Hill, lands adjacent to the settlement known as Faolan Tower. Hosted by the Lady Kathryn Flynn and her husband, the market welcomed Spring with the celebration of lambs born to the Tower Hill flocks as well as a broad variety of merchants with their wares. As prominent as the lambs themselves was the buying and selling of horses. The Lord of Faolan Tower is a noted horse lover, as is the Queen of Telarus, there with her steeds, and another of Telarus selling Gypsy Vanner horses.

Other merchants included the ever popular Dreamweaver Baskets, the Heathfield Attendant Services, as well as Out of the Woodwork, a new business specializing in hand-crafter carved wooden items, and Whimsical Chocolatier. Well-attended by members of various Houses and Independents, the market was a success, including a very fun game of 'pin the tail on the lamb,' which resulted in much hilarity (and some wounds) for where the tails were pinned. In the end, Sir Gabriel proved to have the best aim and took home the prize of a stuffed lamb and a bottle of the Lady's Royal Cask whiskey. A good time was had by all who attended! --submitted by Cara Thompson

Crowsea Joust: The first joust of the Quest Coin Coalition-sponsored Circuit took place on Sunday, April 20 and Monday, April 21, in the city of Crowsea. Hosted by Askavinge Madje Ta'anari, a citizen of the port city, and the Coordinator to the QCC, Lady Kathryn Flynn, the event saw over fifteen Jousters enter, representing Heathfield, Telarus, Faolan Tower, House of Lords and various Independent members of the Coalition. Before a mesmerized and excited crowd, the Joust ran smoothly and efficiently, allowing most of the Jousters their maximum four rounds as allowed by the rules. Amongst those representing Heathfield were the Knights under King Peter O'Neill of Innis Daigneach: Sir Calhoun Quinlan, Sir Aiden Collins, Sir Gabriel Vaughn, Sir Cole Lachian, and a man at arms, Master Ian Waincross. Lord Niklas Traugott, one of King Karl's men, also participated with honor and skill.

The first night saw the masterful display of skill by Master Waincross, earning two unseats in the first night, while Sir Aiden also delivered a powerful unseat to one of his opponents the same night, earning Queen Cygia's approval and reward. Alas, as is the way with the Joust, injuries occurred, unfortunately befalling Lord Niklas, to the concern of the lady whose favor he bore. The evening ended with two of Heathfield's knights entering the second night undefeated - Sir Gabriel and Sir Cole. The second night proved equally fascinating as a truly impressive unseat was delivered to the immense Telarusian minotaur, Tarro, by Sir Calhoun, whose lance accomplished what none had before in knocking Tarro from his mountain bear mount. Sir Gabriel and Sir Cole also continued undefeated, receiving accolades from the swanlike Queen with their ladies for their excellent showing. In the end, when the final standings were posted, Heathfield's Jousters emerged flushed with victory as first place went to Sir Cole Lachian, second to Sir Calhoun Quinlan, and third was shared between Master Ian Waincross and Tarro of Telarus, with Sir Gabriel taking fourth and Sir Aiden claiming fifth. With the next Joust to take place in June, Heathfield looks to maintain a strong presence in the circuit and promises to make the season a truly competitive and exciting time for all. --submitted by Cara Thompson

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Healer's Touch
by Samantha Golden

Buckthorn - This herb's specific name, cathartica, is no joke. Bluckthorn is a potent laxative - so powerful, in fact, that authorities advise using it only as a last resort, when other, gentler laxatives have failed. It became popular in Europe around the 13th century for healing. At the time, they had few effective medicines to offer. And they believed the key to curing disease lay in purging the body of 'foul humours.' Not surprisingly powerful laxatives were widely prescribed. Bluckthorn was a favorite because it produced quick, reliable, dramatic results. Of course it didn't cure any disease.

Healing with Buckthorn: Down through the ages, herbalists have also recommended buckthorn for jaundice, hemorrhoids, gout, arthritis, and menstruation promotion. Buckthorn also has a long history as a cancer treatment. In America it was an ingredient in the popular - but highly controversial - Hoxsey Cancer Formula. Buckthorn doesn't treat jaundice or arthritis. And it's more likely to aggravate hemorrhoids than help them. But its laxative action is so powerful, it's considered a purgative.

Purgative: No one disputes buckthorn's laxative effect. It's an ingredient in the over the counter laxative Movicol. It contains chemicals (anthraquinones) that are dramatic purgatives - for most people, too dramatic. Buckthorn should be considered a last resort treatment for constipation. First, eat a diet higher in fiber, drink more fluids, and exercise more. If that doesn't provide relief, try a bulk-forming laxative such as psyllium, for example. If that doesn't help, try a gentler anthraquinone, cascara sagrada and if that doesn't work try buckthorn in consultation with your physician.

Intriguing Possibility: Harry Hoxsey may have been on the right track. Buckthorn has an anti-tumor effect, according to research but other studies must be conducted before this herb can be used to treat cancer.

Because of buckthorn's powerful laxative action, it should not be used by people with chronic gastrointestinal problems, such as ulcers, colitis, or hemorrhoids. Pregnant women should not take buckthorn. Don't use it for more than two weeks at a time. If you use it too long, it causes laze bowel syndrome - an inability to move stool without chemical stimulation. If constipation persists consult a physician. For otherwise healthy nonpregnant, nonnursing adults who do not have chronic gastrointestinal conditions and are not taking other laxatives, buckthorn may be used very cautiously for short periods of time in amounts typically recommended. It should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. --Taken from The Healing Herbs by Michael Castleman

Life Around Here

With the warmer weather many are getting out of doors that had stayed more within during the colder months. The lands green again as the trees fill out and flowers dotting hills and meadows besides the cultured gardens of many a home. The royal courtyard gardens has had extra activity with the preparations for a Ball in the coming month. A platform built for dancing and the labyrinth cleaned up of fall and winter debris. There has also been extra activity down behind the spar hall with a new contraption being built that has the curious even more curious in what Sir Lancely had come up with next.

Two stables, McDonough under Rory McDonough and Golden Dawn under Diane Cleary have put in letters of intent to join up with the racetracks under the Collation. The Fishing Contest as well the Canoe Race will be watched for in the upcoming months as an ongoing event here in the lands. There are many new in the lands getting to meet those of long standing, the shops and ports thriving as well the ranches and farmlands being tilled. A new Dance Hall has opened up under the Ladies Anne and Odile for anyone wishing to spruce up on their steps before any Balls. The lake is now warm enough for swimming is becoming popular again for those wishing a picnic and swimming. --submitted by Marcy McGuire

Once again Spring has returned to the lands, filling the air with her fresh, clean scent. Flowers are blooming everywhere, the grass is becoming a lush green with the abundance of rainfall.  The leaves are bursting from the branches of the trees, fruit trees are filled with sweet smelling blooms.  Birds are courting and building their nests and soon lambs and other baby animals will be frolicking in the meadows. Fields are being plowed and planted everywhere from Heathfield to Kildare with the promise of a good harvest in the forecast. Homes are being swept out, windows cleaned and old and broken things tossed away while winter clothing is being carefully stored. The children of the lands are looking forward to the end of school and though there are always chores to be done, they'll soon be able to shed their shoes and enjoy lazy days and warm nights.  Though May weather is still changeable, everyone is glad to welcome Spring in all her glory. --submitted by Mary Colleen McAndrews

Births:  Robert and Lisette Frasier, a son, Bryan Robert, born April 12th. Thomas and Serafina Douglas, a daughter, Tara Rose, born April 20th. Marriages: Malcolm Douglas and Georgette O'Shey on April 14th. Engagements: Joseph McDonough and Cordelia Sandrine of allied lands of Telarus. Michael Saxton and Keriann Frasier. Corin Garrow and Jessamine Saxton  Deaths: None this Month. Citizenship: Please welcome Sir Gabriel Vaughn and Sir Cole Lachian. Diane and Roseann Cleary joining their family here. New dance instructors - Anneliese Harper and Odile Saemings.

Phookas -- This mischievous and roguish trickster can appear in the form of a horse, rabbit, goat, dog, or sometimes even a human. but no matter what form the phooka takes, its fur is almost always black.

In horse form, a phooka will lure humans to ride on its back. Unlike the kelpie, however, the phooka will not do the rider any real harm but will take the unfortunate person on a wild and terrifying ride.

On occasion the phooka can be persuaded to give advice and has been known to shepherd people away from great danger. For these reasons, despite the phooka's delight in confounding and terrifying humans, it is considered more benevolent than malevolent.

It is the phooka who spoils the blackberries after the first of November. Anyone who eats one after that date is stealing from the phooka and likely to be on the receiving end of this faerie's displeasure or devious sense of humor.

Some phookas prefer the shape of a small pony. Some reside in trees, others on the ground near well traveled areas. Phookas claim they can speak any language of man or animal. The phooka's tail twitches when annoyed, not unlike that of a cat.

Like an owl, the phooka can rotate its head, but unlike an owl, the phooka rotates its head upside down rather than front to back. -- submitted by Kathleen Frasier - from Arthur Spiderwick's Field Guide. Everyone should have one!

May

The name for the month of 'May' has been believed to derive from 'Maia', 
who was revered as the Roman 'Goddess of Springtime, of Growth and 
Increase', and the mother of 'Mercury', the winged messenger of the Gods. 
Yet this is disputed as before these deities featured in mythology the name 
'Maius' or 'Magius', taken from the root 'Mag', meaning the 'Growing month' 
or 'Shooting month' was used. --submitted by Elaina O'Neill

Beltaine, the Gaelic name for the month of May, and for the celebration held at the beginning of the month. The holiday was especially celebrated in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, but also in other Celtic countries and providences. The festival, held around May 1st, marks the beginning of the summer season when herds of livestock where driven out to pastures. The druids based much of their religion on both lunar and solar cycles, and Beltaine was a cross-quarter day, marking the midpoint in the sun's progress between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice. The festival was usually held on the full moon nearest this midpoint, which meant it could be anywhere from the 1st to the 8th of the month.

On the eve of Beltaine, large bonfires would be lit in a central location, and every household fire was then extinguished. People would then come out to the large fires and lit torches that they would then use to relight their own home fires, symbolizing a purification and rebirth of the new year. The fires also signified the triumph of light over the dark. Jumping between two Beltaine fires was also considered good luck.

The hanging of May boughs over the doors and windows of houses was thought to be good luck. The May boughs were usually made of Rowan branches, also known as Mountain Ash, or made of Hawthorn, both of which were usually in bloom this time of year. Whole bushes of both were decorated with ribbons, garlands and colored egg shells. Thus many Easter practices may well stem from these Druid rituals, allowing us the continuation of our ancestors traditions. --submitted by Devon Winters

May Day
by Irish 9th century

May day! Delightful day!
Bright colors play the vale along.
Now wakes at morning's slender ray
Wild and gay the blackbird's song.

Now comes the bird of dusty hue,
The loud cuckoo, the summer-lover;
Branchy trees are thick with leaves;
The bitter, evil time is over…

Loaded bees with puny power
Goodly flower-harvest win;
Cattle roam with muddy flanks;
Busy ants go out and in.

Through the wild harp of the wood
Making music roars the gale --
Now it settles without motion,
On the ocean sleeps the sail.

Men grow mighty in the May,
Proud and gay the maidens grow;
Fair is every wooded heights;
Fair and bright the plain below…

Loudly carols the lark on high,
Small and shy his tireless lay,
Singing in wildest, merriest mood,
Delicate-hued, delightful May.

--submitted by Mary Colleen McAndrews

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Winds of May
by James Joyce

Winds of May, that dance on the sea,
Dancing a ring-around in glee
From furrow to furrow, while overhead
The foam flies up to be garlanded,
In silvery arches spanning the air,
Saw you my true love anywhere?
Welladay! Welladay!
For the winds of May!
Love is unhappy when love is away!

--submitted by Deirdre Callihan

Song on a May Morning
by John Milton

Now the bright morning-star, Day’s harbinger,
Comes dancing from the East, and leads with her
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws
The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose.
Hail, bounteous May, that dost inspire
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire!
Woods and groves are of thy dressing;
Hill and dale doth boast thy blessing.
Thus we salute thee with our early song,
And welcome thee, and wish thee long.

--submitted by Marlana Cherill

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May in the Green Wode
by Anonymous 15th century

In somer when the shawes be sheyne,
And leves be large and long,
Hit is full merry in feyre foreste
To here the foulys song.

To see the dere draw to the dale
And leve the hilles hee,
And shadow him in the leves grene
Under the green-wode tree.

Hit befell on Whitsontide
Early in a May mornyng,
The Sonne up faire can shyne,
And the briddis mery can syng.

--submitted by Gabriel Vaughn

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May
by James Ewdard Giobbi

I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become,
I will always plant a large garden in the spring.  Who can
resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from
participating in nature's rebirth?

--submitted by Raul  Valdez

Did You Know?

Magical Stone of Tara - Tara, a sacred site since the Neolithic period, when a passage grave now known as the Mound of the Hostages was built there c. 2100 BC., is best known for its connections with the kings of ancient Ireland. At Tara, 20 miles northwest of Dublin, a huge oval enclosure called the Rath na Riogh (Fortress of the Kings) stands atop the low mound. Archeologists believe that all earthworks at the site were used at one time as centers for public ceremonies. One earthwork is known as Forradh, which is Gaelic for 'seat of kings.' The king of Ireland was chosen not by heredity but by druids who took part in mystical rituals in order to be able to recognize him. Five druids would assemble to find the king through a sacred vision. They would sacrifice a bull, but only one of them would eat its flesh. That druid was then wrapped in the bull hide and watched over by the other druids, who chanted the 'spell of truth' over him. In a vision induced by this ritual, the chosen druid would see the future king of Tara. The man chosen to be king was then sent for and brought to the royal seat.

The Sacred Stone - The ability and even the physical appearance of the king were believed to be essential to the prosperity of the country. The king had to be perfect - any bodily defect would make him unfit to rule. Before his inauguration the future king had to undergo a series of ordeals to test his stamina and fitness. After the kingship had been awarded him, a series of prohibitions (geissi) were put upon him which regulated his conduct. Violation of these would lead to his own destruction and bring ill-fortune to his people. The king was inaugurated on or beside a stone shaped like a phallus and known as the Lia Fail. In Irish mythology, the Lia Fail is one of the four talismans brought back to Ireland by the Tuatha De Danann, the legendary godlike people of the goddess Danu. They brought the stone from the northern islands of the world where they had learned druidism and magic. The stone is believed by scholars to have symbolized the king's own fertility and the fecundity of the land under his rule. According to legend, 'It use to cry out beneath every king that would take Ireland.' The stone still stands beside the Mound of Hostages.

The Sacred Marriage - After his inauguration, the newly appointed king was required to symbolically marry the goddess of Sovereignty of Ireland. This ceremony (called the Feis Tearnhra) bound the king forever to the land and its well-being. Little is known about the actual ritual involved, but scholars speculate that Ireland was represented in the ceremony by a white mare, since two of the sovereignty goddesses, Etain and Medb, were horse-goddesses in origin. Researchers also believe, based on the account of Giraldus Cambrensis who wrote a history of Ireland in the 12 century, that the king was required to consummate his marriage to the mare, which was then killed and eaten by everyone present at the ceremony including the king himself. This rite was believed to confer upon him the kingship and dominion of the country, elevating the new king to the status of a god, since he had first married and the consumed the earth goddess. The last ceremonial gathering at Tara was held AD 559 under the auspices of Diarmait, son of Fergus Cerrbel, king of Ireland. The sacred monarchy of Tara, steeped in pagan associations, probably came to an end with the coming of Christianity in the fifth century.    -- submitted by Samantha Golden (taken from the book Earth's Mysterious Places, Reader's Digest)

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