Virtual Beltaine

As we all are sheltering at home, it was decided to have
another virtual Sabbat. This is a lighthearted Beltaine, celebrating spring,
though as I write this, snow is still on the ground and the temp won’t get much
above freezing. April in Minnesota, right?

So sit back, look out the window and see the trees starting
to leaf out, watch for the lilacs, see the crocuses poking up, even through the
snow. We’re gonna celebrate spring and all the wonders it unfolds.

We are gathering in a green meadow, on a small rise. The air
is warm, a gentle breeze moves the air, the trees ringing the meadow are
starting to leaf out.

Draw a circle, around where you are. East to South to West
to North, then back to East, Above, West, Below, East, to South, Above, North,
Below, South, then West, to North and back to East.

Blessings upon thee, creature of water, may all malignancies
and hindrances go forth, and only goodness enter in. Blessings upon thee
creature of salt, may you help purify and cleanse. As we are ever minded as
water purifies the body, so does salt purify the soul, wherefore we blend them
into the water of life. May their combination cleanse and purify our circle.

Blessings upon thee creature of fire, may you purify and
cleanse. Blessings upon thee creature of air, may you fill this circle with
love. Together may you purify and fill our circle with the sweet scent of
incense.

Guardians of the watchtowers of the East, creatures of air,
I welcome you to our circle. May you watch over this circle, witness our rite,
and guard this circle and all within.

Guardians of the watchtowers of the South, creatures of
fire, I welcome you to our circle. May you watch over this circle, witness our
rite, and guard this circle and all within.

Guardians of the watchtowers of the West, creatures of
water, I welcome you to our circle. May you watch over this circle, witness our
rite, and guard this circle and all within.

Guardians of the watchtowers of the North, creatures of
earth, I welcome you to our circle. May you watch over this circle, witness
this rite, and guard this circle and all within.

Above and Below, watch and guard, keep us safe from all
harm.

The circle is cast, we are in a place that is not a place, at
a time that is not a time, for we are between the worlds and beyond.

Lord and Lady, join us here as we celebrate Beltaine and
Spring. Come dance with us, surround us with your love.

Beltaine is a time of celebration of spring, renewal and
rebirth. One way to do so is to dance the maypole, a representation of the
young god, in his search for the Goddess.

Gather your ribbons, and tie them to the top of the pole.
Put the pole up, high and strong in the center of the circle at the top of the
rise. Everyone grab a ribbon, and dance around the pole. Half go sunwise, half
go widdershins, weaving in and out, up and down to braid the ribbons down the
pole, as we sing:

Let us dance the maypole dance,

Up and down, round and round.

Let us dance the maypole dance,

around until it’s done.

Take a ribbon, colors bright

Tie it at the top.

Moving right, moving left

Go ‘round and do not stop.

Let us dance the maypole dance,

Braiding around the pole.

Let us dance the maypole dance,

uniting body and soul.

Now the braid covers the pole,

Colors bright and true,

We all stand back, admire our work,

Giving the Gods their due.

Let us dance the maypole dance,

Young God vital and strong

Let us dance the maypole dance,

Goddess following along.

Bless the Lady and the Lord,

We worship you today.

You gift us with your vital love,

As we worship and play

When the pole is covered with the braided ribbons, we will
fall to the grass, laughing and basking in the warm sun. We will take our cakes
and ales, drinking and eating in celebration of the Goddess and God. Soon we
are done, and it is time to end the celebration.

Goddess and God, we thank you for your presence,

For life and love, for light and change.

As you depart to your blessed realms, we bid you a happy
hail and farewell!

Guardians of the East, creatures of air, we thank you for
your presence. May there peace between us, now and always and as you depart we
bid you hail and farewell!

Guardians of the South, creatures of fire, we thank you for
your presence. May there peace between us, now and always and as you depart we
bid you hail and farewell!

Guardians of the West, creatures of water, we thank you for
your presence. May there peace between us, now and always and as you depart we
bid you hail and farewell!

Guardians of the North, creatures of Earth, we thank you for
your presence. May there peace between us, now and always and as you depart we
bid you hail and farewell!

Above and below, always friends, time to go.

Draw up the circle, and ground the energies.

Look around, see the meadow with the decorated maypole in
the center. It is still a warm and sunny day. Time to return to your home, with
the feelings of celebration and fun that we shared in that astral place.
Blessed Be to All, and a Happy Beltaine. Enjoy some fresh greens, some fruit and
maybe your own cakes and ale in honor of the Goddess and God we all revere.

Rhubarb Sauce

Rhubarb is a good spring tonic. It supposedly cleanses the
blood and gets the body going. Here is a recipe for rhubarb sauce that I like.
It is quite tart, but that’s the way I like it. You can add sugar if you prefer
a sweeter sauce.

• Take 2 pounds of rhubarb, wash and trim.
• Cut it into cubes.
• Put it in a saucepan and add a cup of water.
• Simmer on low, and stir until it is soft and cooked.
• Add a can of frozen concentrated apple juice.
• If you like, you can also add 1 lb. of trimmed sliced strawberries
  or a 20 oz. can of crushed or chunk pineapple packed in its own juice (or syrup
  if you like it sweeter). Stir thoroughly until well blended. It makes 8-12 cups
  total.

That’s it. It makes a sauce which you can eat by itself, or
pour it over cake or ice cream. It also freezes well, so you can save some for
later times.