Beltane: Springtime Rituals, Lore and Celebration [Paperback]

The first chapter covers the history of May celebrations and how they migrated throughout continental Europe and into the British Isles. Here we learn how European pagan customs became what we now call "Beltane." The second chapter introduces the reader to the old spirits long associated with pre-Christian European paganism. These include Jack-in-the-Green, John Barleycorn, and the May King and Queen. The remaining chapters cover fairies and flower lore along with many other things that have long been associated with May Day.

While the publisher clearly marketed this book under the title "Beltane" to attract a Pagan and Wiccan readership, the book is not only about Beltane but also about Springtime customs and celebrations in general (just as the subtitle states). So you actually get MORE for your money than the title "Beltane" itself would lead one to think! Just about everything factual that one could say about Beltane specifically, is said in this book. So, there is no reason for anyone to feel cheated or robbed by the title of this book. Getting more information about the May Day season than just the limited availability of "Beltane" material is a bonus, not a slight.

The Beltane book is a good overview of May Day folk customs and folklore. It contains basic rituals, recipes, and spells, providing a good foundation upon which to create your own. Basics are the key to everything and are therefore never useless. For those who love to add to their knowledge on May Day practices and beliefs, this book will be a treasure because it provides the reader with a fuller understanding of the pagan elements that culminated in the celebration of Beltane. However, those readers who prefer a limited understanding of this season will probably find the Beltane book to be very disappointing.

The Beltane book is a change of pace for Grimassi. It is written for a general audience and is presented in a lighter tone. It is a fun book with recipes, spells, and rituals that relate to the spring season. Also included is an abundance of folklore on flowers, fairies, and May Day characters such as Jack-in-the-Green. the Queen and King of May, the Hobby Horse, and the Mummers, among others. The book also contains instructions on making a May Pole centerpiece for a banquet table, along with other interesting craft projects related to celebrating May Day. As with all of Grimassi's writings this book is well researched and contains reliable information. Grimassi once again shines as a folklorist in this work.

Beltane contains many illustrations and images presented in woodcut-like etchings. This gives the book an older feel like many of the books published at the close of the 1800s. Beltane is a wonderful addition to any library.

Because the Celts did not read or write, they have left us little to truly understand about their beliefs and practices. Much of what is known about Celtic religion is drawn from ancient Greek and Roman references, along with texts written much later by Christian monks recording Celtic tales and ballads beginning around the 7th century AD. When one considers that very little is actually known about Celtic beliefs and practices (the majority of writings are speculation) it is amazing that anyone could come up with enough information on Beltane to create an entire book. This fact is a testimony to Grimassi's excellent research abilities, which is the hallmark of his books in general.

The Beltane book is clearly intended for a general audience, but with a strong leaning towards a pagan readership. Even the most casual reader of normal intelligence would not consider this book to be specifically a Wiccan book, and the author never suggests that it was meant to be. Instead, it is clear that Grimassi intended this book to be a nice overview of May Day celebrations and their origins throughout Europe. While some people may feel that the title is misleading since it suggests an exclusive Celtic focus, most people realize that the Publisher has the final say in a book's title (NOT the author) and that the Celtic festival names have become "public domain" and are commonly used by many non-Celtic Traditions today.

To sum up this Beltane book, it is filled with interesting lore about various spirits and characters associated with May along with fairy lore, flower lore, May Day customs, rituals, spells, and recipes and crafts for creating your own May Day celebration. A very nice book and well worth adding to your lilbrary.