Book Review: Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration
Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration
Author: Raven Grimassi
Trade Paperback, 165 pages
Publisher: Llewellyn
Publication date: March 2001
ISBN: 1567182836
More Information:
http://www.ecauldron.com/cncbook.php?asin=1567182836
Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore & Celebration is the third
book published in Llewellyn's series of book on the Wiccan
festivals. Like the previous books in this series (Halloween and
Yule), this book is aimed at the general population, not just at
Wiccans and Pagans. Beltane is the type of book you can put out
on the coffee table in your living room without fear of totally
freaking the average non-Pagan visitor to your home.
The first two chapters talk about the folk celebrations of May
in Britain and northern Europe. Grimassi talks about folklore
like Beltane fires, maypoles, the May King and Queen, the Green
Man, John Barleycorn, mummery, and more. Nothing is covered in
much detail, but the material is interesting.
The third chapter talks a little about fairies and then gives
twelve fairy tales from around Europe. That is, twelve stories
about fairies interacting with humans, not twelve tales for
children. The fourth chapter discusses folklore about flowers.
Not until you reach page 97, almost two-thirds of the way
through the book, will you find anything likely to spook your
non-Pagan neighbors. The fifth chapter discusses magick.
Grimassi gives a few general spells for love, money, and the
like. The majority of the chapter, however, is recipes for May
celebrations and fertility folk magick. The recipes include
foods like bannocks and porridge. The folk magick is mainly
herbal suggestions for increasing the chances of conception, to
ease morning sickness or painful periods, and the like.
The sixth chapter provides two "May celebration" rituals: one
solitary, the other for a small group. Neither strike me as
particularly inspired. On the other hand, there's nothing in
them likely to offend even the most prudish non-Pagan. The final
chapter covers seasonal crafts such as garlands, wreaths, and a
Maypole centerpiece.
Like the other books in this series, Beltane is competently
written and well-illustrated. While it can't be considered a
"must-have" book, it is worth a look -- especially for families
with elementary or middle school age children.
This review is one of hundreds of reviews of Pagan, Wiccan,
occult, and metaphysical books in The Cauldron: A Pagan Forum's
Books and Reviews section at
http://www.ecauldron.com/bookstore.php.