This Friday gone, 1st May, was Beltane, meaning we have officially reached the mid-point between the Spring Equinox (Ostara) and Summer Solstice (Litha) here in the Northern Hemisphere. This was a time associated with symbolically casting off the darkness and letting in the light and has been celebrated by Celts for thousands of years as the start of Summer and the farming year. Many of the festivals in the Celtic Wheel celebrate light and fire, particularly Beltane, as a festival of light, growth and creativity. Today we can look to the traditions of the past and mark them in our own, modern ways; a chance to pause and take stock, to notice nature around us and to celebrate the turn of the seasons. Here are some things I’ll be making and doing to celebrate Beltane.
Fire Rituals
At each of the seasonal celebrations in the Celtic Wheel, I like to light the candles, take stock and reflect. Fire is regarded as a purifying, healing element and the ritual lighting of the Beltane bonfire would have been an important part of this day, representing the growing power of the sun. In the past, families would walk or dance around and even jump over the fire, sometimes with animals as a type of ritual cleansing. Another ancient Beltane ritual was the extinguishing of the hearth fire and lighting of a new, communal fire then used to relight each hearth, symbolising community connection. These days, I light beeswax candles as a symbolic nod to the tradition. As I do so, I take time to reflect on the things I’m grateful for in this season, and make gentle plans for the next six weeks of the year, a time of growing abundance.
Appreciating the Flowers
Beltane for me means the beginning of abundance in the natural world and the season of so many beautiful purple and white flowers - from bluebells that carpet the forest floor, to hawthorn (the aptly named May blossom) in the hedgerows. Many flowers in May have a micro-season of just a few, short weeks - like one of my favourites, lily of the valley, which are all the more precious for their fleeting nature. Next will be peonies for just a few short weeks. At my Beltane Seasonal Gathering yesterday, Marion from Ochre Botanical Studios had gathered locally grown flowers for us to press together, and several guests observed that the activity really made them slow down and pay attention to each tiny detail and petal. I hope you can get your hands on some flowers to celebrate Beltane and press them, or maybe even make a posy to pop on neighbours’ or friends’ doors. Look out for more flowery crafting at my next Seasonal Gathering (sign up here if you want early access when tickets go live).
Sowing Seeds
There’s still a nip in the air here, but sowing seeds is always such a hopeful activity for me. I’m planning my tiny pot garden in our communal patch again, and the dahlia tubers and cosmos have just gone in. Getting my hands in the earth is always so grounding I find, and waiting for those first shoots to appear a reminder of patience. Even if you only have a small windowsill, you can plant herbs and pea shoots - there are instructions for the latter in my book that sprout in just a few short weeks and can be cut and will come again. While I sow and tend my seeds and plants I’m also sowing the seeds of other ideas and plans for Summer and beyond to look forward to.
Opting Outdoors
In the past, Beltane was often celebrated with huge community gatherings and rituals on hills; here in Edinburgh, locals would head to Arthur’s Seat to revel in the light of Summer and more recently folks gather at Calton Hill for the Beltane Fire Festival. Wherever you live, it’s a good reminder to go outside - perhaps on a bluebell walk, to a local National Trust garden or to a favourite (now rapidly fading and falling!) blossom spot. Take a flask of tea and your journal or flower press and spend some mindful time outdoors if you can. I share journaling prompts each season if you find a guide helpful. Something about the magic of the unfurling world during Beltane always makes me feel extra reflective. The Woodland Trust has a great list of places with spectacular bluebell displays, so I hope you can find one near you.
White Chocolate and Raspberry Caramel Shortbread
While Beltane is a season of growing abundance, the “hungry gap” is still very much here in Scotland - we’re still a few weeks off the first Scottish strawberries and all the Summerfruit after that, and while I know it will be worth the wait, I’m craving fresh flavours. It’s now that my larder works hardest, and here freeze dried raspberries add that promise of new season zing. This white chocolate and raspberry caramel shortbread balances buttery richness from the shortbread, sweetness from the white chocolate and a sharp tang from the freeze-dried fruit. Perfect for a Beltane picnic.
INGREDIENTS
For the shortbread:
125g plain flour
40g caster sugar
90g unsalted butter
For the caramel:
300ml condensed milk
40g butter
40g light soft brown sugar
For the topping:
100g white chocolate
5g freeze-dried raspberry pieces
METHOD
Make the shortbread. Preheat the oven to 160°C Fan. Mix the flour and sugar in a bowl, then lightly rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Press it together into a soft dough with your hands. Press into a lined 20cm tin, prick with a fork, and bake for 25 minutes until golden. Cool in the tin.
Make the caramel. In a heavy saucepan, heat the butter, sugar, and condensed milk until dissolved. Bring to the boil, stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and cook until thickened and a rich caramel colour. Pour over the cooled shortbread and leave to set completely.
Finish with the topping. Melt the white chocolate gently and pour over the caramel. Sprinkle generously with freeze-dried raspberries. Chill until firm, then slice into squares.
I will see you next for Litha, the Summer Solstice, at the end of June. In the meantime, I’ll be here sharing my weekly posts in my paid community, with a recipe, craft, journaling prompts, seasonal glimmers, activities and seasonal reading recommendations spread across each season. I’d love it if you joined us there - here’s a flavour of some of my recent posts:
Activity: Celebrating Blossom Season
Craft: Preserved Flower Wooden Eggs
Recipe: Coffee, Chocolate and Hazelnut Choux
If you live locally then do look out for news of my seasonal gatherings (and secure your spot to hear first by signing up here). Thanks so much for being here and have a wonderful May! See you in June for Litha xxx
You can find more seasonal musings, recipes, crafts and lifestyle ideas in my book, ‘Slow Seasons’, which you can order from a number of places here, or from me on my website directly here.
Oooh yummy, I will absolutely try your recipe for the shortbread. Thank you for sharing! 🙏🌸🍓
Thank you for your wisdom. Your book is such a beautiful anchor to the turning of the wheel of the year 🩵 and how to honour the seasons