Opening the Gate for Beltane

Beltane is only two weeks away. Who's excited?  I'm utterly ecstatic!

This year I will be doing the May Branch at Holly of the "Mother Moon" store's Goddess Grotto in Allegan. The event is called "Opening the Gate" and takes place from Saturday May 4th to Sunday May 5th. There is a small charge for admission. Please bring a dish to pass. It's utterly worth it, as there will be a bonfire, May Pole, several other classes, workshops and rituals, and good company in a lovely rural setting. 

The May Branch uses a poppet that represents Death and removes him, and winter, from our lives for six months. The old branch, and the death poppet, are burned. Then a May Queen brings back Life and ushers in Springtime, represented by the colorful flowers on a new branch. It's an older folkplay that our family has done for years.

​Here are some images of the ceremony:

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Left: "Death" is removed from the village.        Right: "Life" is returned to the village with the May Queen.

More Information: https://www.facebook.com/events/1467466783804446