Page 11 - The Flickering Cauldron Magazine - May 2022

Fire would have played a major role in this ancient festival. In recognition of its power of both cleansing and protection, many bonfires would be lit.
Livestock would have been driven through smoking bonfires and young couples would walk between them to cleanse them and protect them from evil spirits and most importantly, bless them with fertility.
Which is what this festival is really all about.
The beautiful Goddess of Spring meets the handsome Green Man at the village bar on a Friday night and...
Meanwhile, back at the settlement... each home would have kept a fire going throughout the winter for warmth and light. These would have been extinguished and put out.
A communal fire would have been previously lit in the centre of the settlement and gathered around as the focal point to celebrate Beltane.
Embers would be placed for young couples to leap over as both a pledge to each other and with the hope of being blessed with fertility.
At the end of the celebrations, each household would take a burning ember from the communal fire to rekindle the fire in their own home. This simple act would have effectively been a ritual bonding of the community.
Beltane Bannocks Also known as Scottish or Celtic Oatcakes
Very easy to make, and are quite filling. Nothing beats them when they just come out of the oven, but they are great to grab in the morning for breakfast, if you have made a batch the day before, (can add some jam or honey... Yum!).
The recipe is quite an old one, with the Celts and the Scots alike. It is said it was used by the Celts when travelling, as a quick and filling meal on the go and was a popular food source in Scotland, which can be found dated back to at least Roman times and is still made and eaten to day in many homes.
In some parts of Scotland, it is still part of the Beltane tradition and celebrations. It is believed If you eat one on the morning of Beltane, you would be guaranteed an abundant year. They are so easy and cheap to make, would be rude not to!
The Flickering Cauldron® Magazine - The Power of Beltane | 11