Happy Bealtaine, the 1st Day of Summer in the Celtic Calendar.

Bealtaine Cottage — Wed, 01 May 2013 07:19:10 +0000

The Celtic Festival of Bealtaine, also spelt as Beltane, Beltain, Beltainne and Beltaine is a Cross Quarter Day.

This means, that it is half way between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.

Of course, as nothing is static in the Universe, the actual astronomical date is a number of days later.

This year, 2013, the date when the cross-quarter day falls is May 5th.

In Irish mythology, the beginning of the summer season started with the Fire Festival at Bealtaine.

Great bonfires were held which would herald in the season in the hope of a good harvest later in the year.

The bonfires would be accompanied with rituals of cleansing and protection.

A small branch of the Rowan tree was hung over the door to protect from fire and ill health.

I made a short video this morning to share the sights and sounds of this special day, the first day of Summer, with you…

Dried Herbs and A Present from Bealtaine Cottage

Bealtaine Cottage — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 11:28:49 +0000

Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is also known as Common and Wild Marjoram, Greek Oregano and Winter Oregano.

Oregano is a warm and aromatic yet slightly bitter herb in the mint family.

The name is derived from the Greek, meaning “mountain of joy.”

Oregano can be made into a tea, tincture, and has powerful anti-bacterial properties.

The Oregano I harvest comes complete with flowers, so is especially potent for tea!

Some interesting folklore concerning oregano…

The Greeks and Romans used it for a variety of benefits.

~Among the Greeks, if Marjoram grew on a grave, it augured the happiness of the departed, and among both the Greeks and Romans, it was the custom to crown young couples with Marjoram.

~Oregano corresponds to Venus and air.

~It is an herb of happiness, tranquillity, good luck, well-being, and protection.

~Promotes joy, strength, vitality, and added energy.

~Make a Tea or burn as an incense.

~Plant Oregano around your house for protection, and scatter it inside the house to protect it.

~Carry it in a sachet or charm to bring good luck and vitality.

~It is also said to protect and promote psychic dreams when worn on the head during sleep.

~A protective herb with the power to ward off troublesome and meddling individuals, especially those who may wish to interfere with one’s personal financial dealings.

Dried Lavender is also available.

The use of Lavender goes back into the mists of time…

~Both the Greeks and the Romans had many uses for it, the most popular being for bathing, cooking, as an ingredient in perfume, for well-being, and as an insect repellent.

~English folklore advises a mixture of lavender, mugwort, chamomile, and rose petals to attract sprites, fairies, brownies, and elves.

~Lavender is used in teas, tinctures, and added to baked goods.

~Lavender is an aphrodisiac, and is still one of the most recognized scents in the world.

~Put two handfuls of Lavender Flowers into a square of cheesecloth and tie with a white ribbon.

Use this aromatic “wash-cloth” in place of your usual one.

Rosemary, or Rosmarinus Officinalis, is also known as Romero, and Dew of the Sea.

Dried Rosemary is also available in 1/2 ounce bags from the gardens of Bealtaine Cottage.

Rosemary is most famous for its use in cooking.

Bees love Rosemary!

Burn Rosemary for a restorative incense.

In place of more costly incense, the ancients used Rosemary in their religious ceremonies.

An old French name for it was Incensier.

I use dried Rosemary in my Wheaten Soda Bread!

It is delicious!

The list of dried herbs available from Bealtaine Cottage will increase as the season progresses.

Wild Mint, which grows in abundance in the Water gardens here at Bealtaine Cottage, will be one of the herbs offered later in the summer.

All dried Herbs come in 1/2 ounce sealed bags.

A suggested donation of 2 euros per bag and 1 euro for postage.

*******************

A Present from Bealtaine Cottage…

I can also post packets of herbs or seeds from Bealtaine Cottage, together with a card, with a message of your choice, to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Cards are handmade and feature a photo from the Bealtaine Cottage Gardens. A suggested donation of 2 euro for each card.

Herbs available this week include: Oregano with flowers, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary and some Lavender.

Click on the button and leave your name, address and herbs required…

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Bealtaine Cottage » Folklore

Happy Bealtaine, the 1st Day of Summer in the Celtic Calendar.

The Celtic Festival of Bealtaine, also spelt as Beltane, Beltain, Beltainne and Beltaine is a Cross Quarter Day.

This means, that it is half way between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.

Of course, as nothing is static in the Universe, the actual astronomical date is a number of days later.

This year, 2013, the date when the cross-quarter day falls is May 5th.

In Irish mythology, the beginning of the summer season started with the Fire Festival at Bealtaine.

Great bonfires were held which would herald in the season in the hope of a good harvest later in the year.

The bonfires would be accompanied with rituals of cleansing and protection.

A small branch of the Rowan tree was hung over the door to protect from fire and ill health.

I made a short video this morning to share the sights and sounds of this special day, the first day of Summer, with you…

Dried Herbs and A Present from Bealtaine Cottage

Oregano, Origanum vulgare, is also known as Common and Wild Marjoram, Greek Oregano and Winter Oregano.

Oregano is a warm and aromatic yet slightly bitter herb in the mint family.

The name is derived from the Greek, meaning “mountain of joy.”

Oregano can be made into a tea, tincture, and has powerful anti-bacterial properties.

The Oregano I harvest comes complete with flowers, so is especially potent for tea!

Some interesting folklore concerning oregano…

The Greeks and Romans used it for a variety of benefits.

~Among the Greeks, if Marjoram grew on a grave, it augured the happiness of the departed, and among both the Greeks and Romans, it was the custom to crown young couples with Marjoram.

~Oregano corresponds to Venus and air.

~It is an herb of happiness, tranquillity, good luck, well-being, and protection.

~Promotes joy, strength, vitality, and added energy.

~Make a Tea or burn as an incense.

~Plant Oregano around your house for protection, and scatter it inside the house to protect it.

~Carry it in a sachet or charm to bring good luck and vitality.

~It is also said to protect and promote psychic dreams when worn on the head during sleep.

~A protective herb with the power to ward off troublesome and meddling individuals, especially those who may wish to interfere with one’s personal financial dealings.

Dried Lavender is also available.

The use of Lavender goes back into the mists of time…

~Both the Greeks and the Romans had many uses for it, the most popular being for bathing, cooking, as an ingredient in perfume, for well-being, and as an insect repellent.

~English folklore advises a mixture of lavender, mugwort, chamomile, and rose petals to attract sprites, fairies, brownies, and elves.

~Lavender is used in teas, tinctures, and added to baked goods.

~Lavender is an aphrodisiac, and is still one of the most recognized scents in the world.

~Put two handfuls of Lavender Flowers into a square of cheesecloth and tie with a white ribbon.

Use this aromatic “wash-cloth” in place of your usual one.

Rosemary, or Rosmarinus Officinalis, is also known as Romero, and Dew of the Sea.

Dried Rosemary is also available in 1/2 ounce bags from the gardens of Bealtaine Cottage.

Rosemary is most famous for its use in cooking.

Bees love Rosemary!

Burn Rosemary for a restorative incense.

In place of more costly incense, the ancients used Rosemary in their religious ceremonies.

An old French name for it was Incensier.

I use dried Rosemary in my Wheaten Soda Bread!

It is delicious!

The list of dried herbs available from Bealtaine Cottage will increase as the season progresses.

Wild Mint, which grows in abundance in the Water gardens here at Bealtaine Cottage, will be one of the herbs offered later in the summer.

All dried Herbs come in 1/2 ounce sealed bags.

A suggested donation of 2 euros per bag and 1 euro for postage.

A Present from Bealtaine Cottage…

I can also post packets of herbs or seeds from Bealtaine Cottage, together with a card, with a message of your choice, to anyone, anywhere in the world.

Cards are handmade and feature a photo from the Bealtaine Cottage Gardens. A suggested donation of 2 euro for each card.

Herbs available this week include: Oregano with flowers, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary and some Lavender.

Click on the button and leave your name, address and herbs required…