I don't know about any of you, but Beltane is one of my fav sabbats!
We made a really cute little Sabbat tree and put some little flower buds on it.
We will continue to add to it as the season grows and the Sun strengthens...
We also got the stuff we need to make a little Beltane Alter Pole.....http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/maypole.html

http://members.aol.com/ivycleartoes/wishtree.html
This is the page where we originally got the Sabbat Tree idea from, and we further tuned HOW to do it here... http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?...icle&artid=135

We used brown floral wire in lieu of metal wire....

Here is a pic of our coven maiden and my d/h starting our tree



And here is our finished result... we also bought things to add to it for Litha, Lammas, Mabon, Samhain etc... it is a great place to hang your written intents on for the different sabbats.

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What a good idea! I've decided that since I'm still pg, I'm going to avoid public rituals (even though I'm sure Beltaine with a local group would be fun!) and do something with my very own Horned God @ home! New people to me and energy I'm not totally familiar with yet with other people so ... me and the DH can make a good time of it. Even though he's got a military haircut, I can still find a way to put some flowers in that hair!

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Love the idea of the tree,it turned out great! Congrats on your pregnancy!

I haven't really done much for the sabbats since I had my DD,and I feel my heart longing to get back to my path. I'm just so tired with a newborn and 2 yr old. I hope I can find myself again soon,I need some alone time to center and cleanse.

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Jamie, I know what you mean about public ritual while preggo... I am still going to go for the Beltane campover this weekend, it isnt quite public, it's sort of a large group of people from different paths that routinely go to the sabbats. Anywhere from 25-100 people. I probably wont actually take part in the ritual itself however, as sometimes the spiral dance can get pretty quick, and Id hate to just cut out mid-circle and break the circle. There are always people that sit on the outside of the circle, those with mobility issues etc.
But the rest of the sabbat is great, mens and women's mysteries, and then of course the choosing of the Stag King and May Queen. I love it when the men get into their groups and do silly things to impress us women to earn our favour, lol..... And of course, the drumming circle around the fire each night is so nice.I just have to make sure we buy some good foam for putting our sleeping bags on!

Byondbzr, I am wondering how active I will be in the pagan community after my son is born.... it will certainly be a change. Plus, at the end of June, we are moving out of town. (an hour with no traffic, two hours+ if there is any traffic) so we wont be as active in the local pagan community. Of course, we have our own group, although small, (just three of us hehe) but I know that I can probably fit in some ritual time in between breastfeeding.

I have found that when I wander off the path, usually by accident because 'life' gets in the way, that I feel that same sense of longing... I guess its due to becoming disconnected from the source? Becoming unplugged? Even just being pregnant, Ive found Ive lost alot of my motivation that I had before the pregnancy. translation: gotten lazy!

We are getting married on May1st. Not a wiccan celebration, simply a civil ceremony with immediate family. It will be nice though. The night before, Monday.... myself, d/h and our maiden will be getting together to consecrate our silver bands we bought for the ceremony, and will be doing some energy raising. We will pass our rings through the elements, then raise some energy by dancing the maypole we have made and then we will breathe our intent into our rings for each other and keep them in consecrated pouches on ourselves overnight to exchange at the ceremony the next day.

Im excited!

Sorry for the long delay in responding, I thought i had my email set up to receive new responses, I was surprised to check in and find some! hehe

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Just wanted to wish you all a Blessed Beltane!
We did a ring blessing ritual last night and today is the big day. Gettin married! !

*hugs* to all you filthy, dirty heathens on this super special day, LOL
PROUD to be a Pagan!
May you all take part in good food, good drink (non-alcoholic for us preggos), and good lovin!
Flags! Flax! Fodder and Friggs!

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ahhhh the good ole 4 F's...lol

HI SHILO! I found the Pagan Families board!!! I am so patting myself on the back... hahaha i saw that in your sig. but had no idea it was on this site...lol...

HAPPY BELTAINE AND WEDDING TO YOU!!!!
LOVE the tree.

My favorite beltaine tradition is "the feast of the senses". This can be x rated, if you want a "private" beltaine, r rated for a playful adult group, or g rated if you want to include the kids... you can have everyone bring their own, or you can just provide a "set" of your choosing. There is really no "right" way to do this.
Find items that will entice and delight ALL the senses; for example:
strawberries dipped in sour cream and rolled in brown sugar for TASTE
a massage or bunnies for TOUCH
herbs or oils for SMELL
flowers or art for SIGHT
music, or bells, or drums (live or recorded) for SOUND
Then WALLOW in the delights of the senses!!! It can take 10 minutes, or you can be up all night! I've done this as working during circle, and i've done it as a "private event". It's always delightful.
Beltaine being a very passionate holiday and one that always makes me think of WALLOWING in the pleasures of life... so why NOT delight ALL of the senses with intent?

anyway.... HI YOU GUYS!!!

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Me: 40
Dh: 25

Hi SP!!!!
Im glad you found us over here... its a very very quiet board, lol....
But feel free to add anything anytime.

Thats actually a very cool way to celebrate Beltaine, it works indoors, outdoors and even for small groups.

I celebrated by getting married, lol... Today I woke up as Mrs. Pablo Orellana.

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