“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything. (Sonnet XCVIII)” ― William Shakespeare, Shakespeare's Sonnets
April Dates of Interest:
- April 1 - April Fools' Day, International Fun at Work Day
- April 5 - PPDLV Spring Psychic Faire
- April 6 - National Tartan Day
- April 7 - National Beer Day, World Health Day, International Beaver Day
- April 7 - Mercury goes direct
- April 11 – National Pet Day
- April 11 - PCR (Pagan Community Retreat 4/11- 04/13)
- April 12 @ 5:22 pm - Full Pink Moon
- April 12 - Las Vegas Celtic Festival & Highland Games
- April 13 - National Scrabble Day
- April 16 - Save the Elephant Day
- April18 - National Velociraptor Awareness Day (Note : It has been approximately 25,550,000,000 days since the last velociraptor attack)
- April 18 - Movie Night w/ SoS! Screening 'The Wicker Man'
- April 22 - Earth Day
- April 25 - National Arbor Day
- April 27 - New Moon in Aries @ 12:31 pm
- April 27 - PirateFestLV 2025
- April 28 - International Astronomy Day/Great Poetry Reading Day/Kiss Your Mate Day (do not forget this one. Kiss them, then read some poetry!)
- April 30 - International Jazz Day!
"A gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, A cloud, and a rainbow's warning, Suddenly sunshine and perfect blue—An April day in the morning." - Harriet Prescott Spofford
Priestess Laurelinn interviews our very own:
'Tosser-in-Chief' - Priest Naheem!
Every April the annual Las Vegas Celtic Festival & Highland Games is held at Craig's Ranch Park. For the games, all athletes will be scored on the following events: Open Stone, Braemar Stone, Heavy Hammer, Light Hammers, Heavy Weight for Distance, Light Weight for Distance, Caber, Weight Over Bar, and Sheaf. The games have both male and female classes ranging from Novice to Professional/Elite!
Naheem has been competing for a few years now, so we wanted to show him some mad respect and see what had to say about the games...
1. Q: What inspired you to start participating in the Scottish Highland Games?
Naheem: I remember watching the caber toss when I was little, I think it was on TV, but I thought it looked cool. About ten years ago we went to the games in town and I got to wonderin how to get involved. It wasn't until about four years ago that we found the athlete group on facebook. Now it's a fun way to spend sunday mornings. The community of people who compete are very friendly and uplifting, it's like family.
2. Q: Can you describe your training regimen and how you prepare for the various events?
Naheem: I had no idea until I actually got involved in the games that there are 9 events and competitors participate in all of them. On the same day. Phew. Strength training is key, but so is anything I can do to help raise my stamina. I usually add some sprints with a weighted sled as time gets closer to competition.
3. Q: Which event in the Highland Games is your favorite and why?
Naheem: I love the sheaf toss. It involves a pitchfork and tossing a weighted sheaf over a bar. When the sheaf comes off the bag just right it makes a little *ting* noise. (I also like to think my farming ancestors would be proud.)
4. Q: What challenges have you faced during competitions, and how have you overcome them?
Naheem: The sport is very, very DIY and it has forced me to get creative to fill some of the needs I've come across while practicing. For example, practicing wieght for distance was bruising hand and tearing the skin on my fingers so now I have a leather work glove I wear. I also picked up some climber's hand salve for use after practice and games.
5. Q: Can you share a memorable competition story?
Naheem: My friends and their kids came to watch the competition at last year's games and they were all sitting by the sheaf toss. On my last chance to get over the bar, my friends and their kids all yelled "Wingardium Leviosa"! The sheaf went flying, sadly not over the bar, but we all had a good laugh!
The festival is held this year on April 12th & 13th, so get out to the park, shop, drink and cheer on those amazing athletes!
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” – Khalil Gibran
"Threads of Tradition"
Unraveling the History of Scottish Tartans
The History and Significance of Scottish Tartans:
Scottish tartans are a symbol of Scotland's rich cultural heritage and history. These distinctive patterns of crisscrossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colors are more than just fabric; they represent the identity and lineage of Scottish clans.
Origins and Evolution:
The origins of tartans can be traced back to ancient times, with the earliest known tartan, the "Falkirk Tartan," dating back to the 3rd century AD. However, it wasn't until the 16th century that tartans became widely associated with specific Scottish clans. Each clan developed its unique pattern, known as a "sett," which was used to identify members of the clan.
Cultural Significance:
Tartans hold deep cultural significance in Scotland. They are worn during important ceremonies, such as weddings and funerals, and are a key element of traditional Highland dress. The patterns and colors of a tartan can tell a story about the wearer's ancestry and clan affiliations.
Modern Day:
Today, tartans are not only a symbol of Scottish pride but also a popular fashion statement worldwide. They are used in various forms, from kilts and scarves to modern clothing and accessories. The Scottish Register of Tartans, established in 2008, maintains a database of tartan designs, ensuring the preservation and continuation of this important cultural tradition.
Scottish tartans are a vibrant and enduring symbol of Scotland's history, culture, and identity, cherished by Scots and admired by people around the globe.
Clan MacGregor
- Tartan: The MacGregor tartan features bold red and green stripes with thin white and black lines.
- Significance: Known for their fierce independence, the MacGregors were often in conflict with other clans and the Scottish government.
Clan Campbell
- Tartan: The Campbell tartan is predominantly green and blue with black stripes.
- Significance: One of the largest and most powerful clans, the Campbells played a significant role in Scottish history, particularly during the Jacobite uprisings.
Clan MacLeod
- Tartan: The MacLeod tartan is characterized by its bright yellow and black check pattern.
- Significance: The MacLeods are known for their historic seat at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye.
Clan Fraser
- Tartan: The Fraser tartan features red, green, and blue stripes with white accents.
- Significance: The Frasers are famous for their involvement in the Jacobite risings and their association with the Outlander series.
Clan MacDonald
- Tartan: The MacDonald tartan is red with green and blue stripes.
- Significance: As one of the largest clans, the MacDonalds have a storied history, including their role in the Glencoe Massacre.
Clan Stewart
- Tartan: The Royal Stewart tartan is red with green, blue, and yellow stripes.
- Significance: The Stewarts are historically significant as the royal family of Scotland, with many Scottish kings belonging to this clan.
There is also a new 'Witches' tartan - here's the story:
By The Wild Hunt | February 19, 2025
GLASGOW, Scotland – A new Scottish tartan has been created to honor the thousands of people—primarily women—executed for witchcraft in Scotland between the 16th and 18th centuries. The Witches of Scotland is a movement seeking “Justice for people accused and convicted under the Witchcraft Act 1563-1736”
The Witches of Scotland tartan is part of a campaign to recognize what advocates call one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in the nation’s history. The design was registered on February 11, 2025, on the Scottish Register of Tartans. The new tartan design will serve as a living memorial to those persecuted under the Witchcraft Act.
The tartan was developed by Witches of Scotland founders Claire Mitchell KC and Zoe Venditozzi, inspired by the V&A Dundee’s Tartan exhibition. “It was an amazing event—everyone expressing their own history and identity through their tartans,” Mitchell told The Herald. “I thought, ‘Wouldn’t this be a great way to create a living memorial?’”
Designed by Clare Campbell, founder of the Prickly Thistle tartan mill, the appropriately gothic pattern carries symbolic meaning. Its black and grey tones reflect the darkness of the era and the ashes of those burned. Red signifies bloodshed, while pink represents the legal tapes binding trial documents then and now. The thread count encodes the years 1563 and 1736 (1+5+6+3 = 15 and 1+7+3+6 = 17), with these numbers woven into black and grey bands surrounding a white check of three threads—symbolizing the campaign’s three objectives: securing a pardon, an apology, and memorials. The 173 black threads in the tartan’s squares represent the 173 years the Witchcraft Act was in force.
Since its founding in 2020, Witches of Scotland has campaigned for justice, seeking a legal pardon, a formal apology, and a national monument for those convicted and executed. In 2022, on International Women’s Day, then-First Minister Nicola Sturgeon acknowledged the historic injustice, issuing a formal apology on International Women’s Day.
In her initial apology, Nicola Sturgeon outlined the importance of this gesture:
Firstly, acknowledging injustice, no matter how historic is important. This parliament has issued, rightly so, formal apologies and pardons for the more recent historic injustices suffered by gay men and by miners.
Second, for some, this is not yet historic. There are parts of our world where even today, women and girls face persecution and sometimes death because they have been accused of witchcraft.
And thirdly, fundamentally, while here in Scotland the Witchcraft Act may have been consigned to history a long time ago, the deep misogyny that motivated it has not. We live with that still. Today it expresses itself not in claims of witchcraft, but in everyday harassment, online rape threats and sexual violence.
Despite this acknowledgment, no official pardon has yet been granted.
MSP Natalie Don later launched a consultation on posthumous pardons, noting that around 2,500 people—85% of them women—were convicted under the Witchcraft Act. Efforts to introduce a private member’s bill stalled when Don became a minister, but Mitchell and her team remain hopeful it will be revived.
Proceeds from sales will support charity efforts, furthering the campaign’s mission. Mitchell sees it as a conversation starter: “Everywhere you go, people ask, ‘Is that your tartan?’ Those who wear ours can say, ‘Yes, this tartan remembers all those persecuted and killed,’ and share their stories.”
Linking the campaign to contemporary issues, Mitchell referenced Margaret Atwood’s warning that witch-hunting rhetoric signals growing threats to women’s rights. “When women are called witches, it sounds an alarm for persecution. That’s why what we’re doing is so relevant,” she said.
The tartan has already garnered international interest, particularly in the United States. You can also read about the Pagan Tartan, unveiled by the Scottish Pagan Federation in 2021 - just click the link below.
“The April winds are magical, and thrill our tuneful frames; The garden-walks are passional, to bachelors and dames.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
Coming up May 1st....
~ Beltane ~
an Editorial by: Priestess Novaembre
Feasts, Fires and Fertility Abound!
Beltane is the last sabbat of the waxing year, the last of the three spring festivals (Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane). The height of fertility, Midsummer, is near. For Pagans and Goddess Women, this is the beginning of summer. This is a feast of fires and flowers and the theme is passion: women’s, Goddess, the Earth. In the Persephone story, Persephone has come of age and reached menarche. She discovers sexuality, physical love, self-love, and learns what passion means. At Beltane, love is new and just beginning. It is emotionally innocent.
Beltane is the old Celtic name for the holiday, derived from the Irish Bealtaine or the Scottish Gaelic Bealtuinn. Sometimes it is called Cetsamhain (opposite Samhain). It is the 2nd of four great Celtic fire festivals - Imbolg (the beginning of spring), Beltane (the beginning of Summer), Lughnassadh or Lammas (the beginning of fall), Samhain (the beginning of winter). This is one of two hinges of the year, the other being Samhain. Like Samhain, this is a time of no time, when the veil between the worlds is thin and the fairies return.
“Summer is only the unfulfilled promise of spring, a charlatan in place of the warm balmy nights I dream of in April. It’s a sad season of life without growth…It has no day.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
Beltane is also sometimes called Roodmas because the Catholic Church tried to redirect the people’s celebration away from the Maypole (symbol of life) toward the cross (rood - symbol of death). Beltane is also sometimes called Walpurgisnacht (in Germany). The Roman Floralia occurred April 28 - May 1 and involved three days of unrestrained sexuality. May is named for the Greek mountain nymph Maia who was later identified as the most beautiful of the seven sisters, the Pleiades.
The Traditional Symbols of Beltane:
- Rose colored candles symbolize passion, new love, first blood
- Foods: strawberries, vanilla ice cream, red cherries
- May bowl - sprigs of blossoming wood in a bowl with water.
- Colors - green, white, red
- Bells
- Branches - May Birching
- Hawthorn - the May Bush - blooms at this time. It is sacred to the Goddess. llIts pinkish white flowers were hung about the house for purifying and protection. It is the favorite tree of fairies.
- Flowers are female sexual symbols and the symbol of the season. Flowers show the interconnectedness of all things.
- Dew - it was a tradition to collect dew early on May 1. The dew was sacred to Diana. Maidens would bathe their f aces in the dew to retain their youth and beauty.
When in the springtime of the year When the trees are crowned with leaves When the ash and oak, and the birch and yew Are dressed in ribbons fair ~ "The Mummer's Dance" by Loreena McKennett.
Fairie Lore / Animals / Tree of Life
In Ireland, one of the early races of conquerors was known as the Tuatha de Danaan. It was believed that once the invaders arrived, the Tuatha went underground. In hiding from the Milesians, the Tuatha evolved into Ireland's faerie race. Said to be the children of the goddess Danu, the Tuatha appeared in Tir na nOg and burned their own ships so that they could never leave. Leave them a few offerings in your garden as part of your Beltane celebration–and maybe they'll leave you something in return!
- Fairy mischief - In parts of England and Britain, it was believed that if a baby was ill, chances were good that it was not a human infant at all, but a changeling left by the Fae. Daisy chains were made at Beltane to protect children from being taken by the Fae.
- Frogs - associated with Beltane
- Snakes - associated with the fertility of May. They penetrate the Earth thus acquiring the knowledge of Earth’s inner secrets, of creation. They are the guardian of the waters of life. They symbolize rebirth and eternal life. They shed their skin, thus being reborn.
The Sacred Marriage / Sex / Fertility
Sacred Marriage - May was the month the Goddess married. It was unlucky for humans to marry in that month - instead they marry in June, thus our custom of June weddings.
The custom of making love in the fields on May Eve enhanced the fertility of the growing crops and could be a remnant of the days when women shed their menstrual blood in the fields. (OK, now, think about this. In May you are making love in the fields. By June you know you are pregnant - thus, marriage.) These were called Greenwood marriages, young men and women who stayed the entire night in the forest, greeted the May sunrise bringing back flowers to decorate the village. Even after the Christian form of marriage replaced the older Pagan handfasting, the rules of strict monogamy were relaxed on May Eve.
- Queen Guinevere’s abduction occurred on May 1.
- Lady Godiva - rode through Coventry sky clad as Queen of the May. Every year for three centuries a sky clad village maiden enacted this rite until the Puritans put an end to it.
- Walking the circuit of one’s property (beating the bounds), repairing fences is normally done at this time.
- There were also processions of chimney sweeps and milk maids, archery tournaments, Morris dances, sword dances and riding the hobby horse.
- The Maypole was a European custom. It is a Goddess and fertility totem, the moontree of the Great Mother. The roots are in the underworld, the branches are in the upper realms. It is also a phallic symbol.
Bel-Fires
- May Fire - Bel Fire: jumped for fertility, health, good luck.
- The Beltane fire traditionally has 3 pieces of each of 9 kinds of wood.
- Beltane means “bright fire.” Fires celebrate the warmth of the sun, the power to return life and fruitfulness to the soil.
- It was a tradition to take home a smoldering piece of Beltane fire, but do not give it away as a gift.
- Fairies can’t start their own fires, so they would come to the celebration disguised as humans to ask for a part of the fire. When freely given, this gave the fairies power.
- Ashes from the Beltane fire were scattered on the fields for fertility.
- Herds of cattle were driven between two fires for purification and protection, safety and fertility.
The Maypole
- The maypole is a female Goddess / fertility totem, a Moon Tree of the Great Mother. It is also the Tree of Life and the world tree with its roots in the underworld and branches in the upper realms.
- The Tree of Life is the prime symbol of spring celebrations in many cultures.
- To celebrate May Day, people in Europe would chop down a tree for a May Pole and crown it with a wreath, and long ribbons would be tied to its apex.
- Women holding the red ribbons and men holding the white ribbons would dance around, interweaving the ribbons.
- The woven ribbons symbolized the generative energy of the female and male, personified by the Snake Goddess and her consort.
- Origins of the May Pole go back to the ancient religions who celebrated the Goddess in Her manifestation as the Tree of Life.
- The Goddess, the Tree of Life, and the Serpent are common motifs dating from early Mesopotamia, and perhaps earlier.
- Cylinder seals from the 2nd millennium BCE show Ishtar with the Tree of Life and the Serpent. Asherah, the Canaanite Goddess, was symbolized as a stylized tree and worshiped in sacred groves. She was called Lady of the Serpent.
Celebration of the tree of life continued into Roman times. Emperor Theodosius banned many Pagan rituals, however, including decorating a tree with ribbons. The custom survived, however, and in 1644 the English Puritans outlawed the setting up of Maypoles. “A heathenish vanity, generally abused to superstition and weakness, the lords and Commons do further order and ordain, that all and singular Maypoles that are, or shall be erected shall be taken down and removed by the Constables, and Church Wardens of the parishes and places where the same be; and that no Maypole shall be hereafter set up, erected, or suffered to be within this kingdom of England or Dominion of Wales.” Maypoles gained favor during the Restoration.
"On that bed there was a girl. And on that girl there was a man. From that man there was a seed. And from that seed there was a boy. From that boy there was a man. And for that man there was a grave. From that grave there grew a tree..." Maypole Song from The Wicker Man – 1973
~ Musical Spotlight ~
'Creature of the Wood', is one of my favorite pieces from Alexander's vast selection of music! It falls in step with the upcoming May Day celebration perfectly, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. For more information about Alexander James Adams, including his collected articles, his bio, and links to Alec’s sites on the web, check out Alexander James Adams’ page on Pagan Song.
April's Lunar Spotlight
Solar Eclipse-New Moon in Aries
Excerpt from The Farmers Almanac
written by: Theresa Reed
If April showers bring May flowers, this month’s astrology has the perfect conditions for major blooms!
Although April begins with Mercury retrograde, this pesky transit ends on the 7th. Start your month on a mellow note. Let things be. Once the messenger planet starts moving forward, you’ll have plenty of time to gather momentum on projects, plans, and more.
Make decisions around significant relationships on the 12th. The Full Moon in Libra illuminates potential conflicts and compromises on that day. Venus stations direct later in the day, clearing the way for break-ups, make-ups, or commitments. If you felt uncertain earlier in the year, you’ll be more confident once this day comes and goes.
Bold thinking is in when Mercury zips into Aries on the 16th. The following weeks are excellent for snap decisions and daring declarations. You can speak loud and think fast. However, you’ll want to pace yourself. Mental burnout is a possibility if you don’t take a break now and then. Mercury remains in Aries until May 10th.
After a long stint in Cancer, Mars is happy to return to Leo on the 18th. This placement of the red planet is like driving a fast car with plenty of gas. Your ambition accelerates, and you’re firing on all cylinders. Now, you can make speedy progress on anything that needs your attention. Mars in Leo is also fantastic for leadership, provided you act from the heart. If you do that, you’ll win every time. Mars moves into Virgo on June 17th.
Taurus season begins when the Sun saunters into the sign of the Bull on the 19th. Suddenly, things slow down most delightfully. Instead of rushing about, this transit favors stopping to smell every rose. It’s also a fabulous time to touch the Earth, plant seeds, and tend to your resources. Take the time to beautify and fortify your surroundings; your harvest will be rich this fall. The Sun skips into carefree Gemini on May 11th.
The New Moon in Taurus on the 27th sets the tone for future prosperity. This is one of the best days for starting a new business or creative project. It’s also divine timing to plant annuals, potatoes, root crops, and lettuce. Whatever you plant now can grow wildly!
Venus in Aries on the 30th is fantastic for speed dating, bold flirting, and elopements! If you’re in a hurry to seal the romantic deal, this is your green light. This transit of Venus is passionate but impatient. Therefore, it’s best to take a look before you leap. It might be better to wait if you sense it’s a flash in the frying pan. The energy settles down when Venus enters Taurus on June 6th. If you can hold off, you’ll be starting off on a stable, albeit less exciting, vibe.
April's Full Pink Micromoon Moon
Adapted From: The Farmer's Almanac
written by: Catherine Boeckmann
Step outside on Saturday, April 12, to witness April’s full Pink Moon. This Paschal Moon marks the first full Moon of spring and is used to determine the date of Easter. This month also brings a micromoon. Discover the story behind the “Pink Moon” and what makes this lunar event unique.
Although we wish this name had to do with the color of the Moon, the reality is not quite as mystical or awe-inspiring. In truth, April’s full Moon often corresponded with the early springtime blooms of a certain wildflower native to eastern North America: Phlox subulata—commonly called creeping phlox or moss phlox—which also went by the name “moss pink.”
Thanks to this seasonal association, this full Moon came to be called the “Pink” Moon!
For the best view of this stunning spring Moon, head to an open area and watch as it rises above the horizon. At this moment, it will appear larger than usual due to the Moon illusion and take on a beautiful golden hue!
The full Moon on April 12, 2025, occurs just before reaching apogee, which happens on April 13, 2025. Apogee refers to the point when the Moon is farthest from Earth. When the full Moon occurs near this point, it’s classified as a “micromoon”—the opposite of a supermoon. Since this full Moon happens about 22 hours before apogee, it will appear slightly smaller and dimmer than usual.
The Paschal Moon
Did you know that the full Moon sets the date for Easter? April’s full Moon has religious significance as well. In Christianity, it’s known as the Lenten Moon if it’s the last full Moon of winter (before the spring equinox) or the Paschal Full Moon if it’s the first ecclesiastical full Moon of spring (after the equinox).
This year, April’s ecclesiastical full Moon (the 14th day in the lunar cycle, which falls on April 12, 2025) occurs after the ecclesiastical spring equinox (always set on March 21, whereas the astronomical spring equinox is on March 20, 2025), making it the Paschal Moon. As the first full Moon of the season, it will determine the date of Easter this year.
ALTERNATIVE APRIL MOON NAMES:
In April, Moon name references to spring abound!
- Breaking Ice Moon (Algonquin) and Moon When the Streams Are Again Navigable (Dakota) reference the melting ice and increased mobility of the early spring season.
- Budding Moon of Plants and Shrubs (Tlingit) and Moon of the Red Grass Appearing (Oglala) speak to the plant growth that will soon kick into high gear.
Other names refer to the reappearance of certain animals, including:
- Moon When the Ducks Come Back (Lakota)
- Moon When the Geese Lay Eggs (Dakota)
- Frog Moon (Cree)
- Along the same vein, Sucker Moon (Anishinaabe) notes the time to harvest sucker fish, which return to streams or lake shallows to spawn.
According to legend, now is the time when this fish comes back from the spirit world to purify bodies of water and the creatures living in them. (This name may also be applied to the February Moon, to honor the sacrifice of the sucker fish in order to feed the Anishinaabe peoples, traditionally helping them to survive the winter.)
Moon Facts and Folklore:
- On April 20, 1972, the lunar module of Apollo XVI landed on the moon with astronauts John Young and Charles Duke aboard. Thomas Mattingly remained in orbit around the moon aboard the command module.
- The next day, April 21, 1972, Young and Duke became the first to drive an electric car on the Moon’s surface. It’s still up there, along with some tools and film they accidentally left behind.
- Folklore suggests that the period from the full Moon to the last quarter is the best time for activities like killing weeds, thinning, pruning, mowing, cutting timber, and planting below-ground crops.
“They came on one of April’s most brilliant days–a day as sparkling as a newly-washed lemon…a day when even the shadows were a melange of blue and orange and jade, like the shadows that poured from the tipsy brush of Monet.” – Beverley Nichols
April Full Moon Magic:
Wigington, Patti. "April's Full Wind Moon"
In April, about halfway through the month, the thunderstorms of March are beginning to subside, and the wind picks up. Seeds are being blown about on the breezes, spreading life all around from one place to the next. In fact, this lunar cycle is often known as the Seed Moon. Trees have buds on them, spring daffodils and tulips abound, and the birds are nesting once more. Much like March, this is a time of conception and fertility and new growth.
- April is a good time to work on magic related to new beginnings, whether you're hoping to develop new relationships, grow professionally, or create new projects for yourself.
- This month's full moon is also called the Seed Moon, so do some planting magic, plan out your garden, and get your seedlings started.
- Because April's moon is associated with the wind, now is a good time to explore the symbolism of the winds that blow in from each of the four directions.
Correspondences:
- Bright primary colors such as red, yellow, and blue–and their many combinations–are associated with the ongoing spring season.
- Gemstones like quartz, selenite, and angelite are connected to the element of air. Leave stones outside on a windy day to absorb the energy of the elements.
- Trees, including hazel, forsythia, lilac, and willow, are beginning to bud in April, and represent the beginnings of new life for the coming summer.
- Gods and goddesses like Ishtar, Tawaret, Venus, Herne, and Cernunnos all represent the greening of the earth, and the coming of the fertility season, which is right around the corner.
- Herbs like dandelion, milkweed, dogwood, fennel, and dill are associated with air, in part because their seed pods will blow away and spread on a breezy day.
- The element of air is strongly tied to this month, because of the winds that may pop up out of nowhere to surprise you.
“The most beautiful springs are those that come after the most horrible winters!” – Mehmet Murat ildan
Magic for the Season:
This is a good time to work on magic related to new beginnings. Looking to bring new love into your life, or conceive or adopt a child? This is the time to do those workings. It's the time to stop planning, and start doing. Take all those ideas you've had brewing for the past couple of months, and make them come to fruition.
April does tend to be a wet, soggy month in many areas, so now is a good time to gather up rainwater for use in magic and spellwork. Leave a few glass jars outside in the open so you can collect water for different magical purposes. For instance, rain that accumulates during a soft, light drizzle can be used in rituals for calming and meditation. On the other hand, the water that fills your jar in the middle of a late-night, thunder-and-lightning deluge is going to have a lot of energy in it–use this for workings related to power, control, and assertiveness.
Don't forget, this month's full moon is also called the Seed Moon. Do some planting magic, plan out your garden, and get your seedlings started. In the weeks leading up to Beltane, do this planting ritual to get new things growing in your garden and in your life as a whole. The very act of planting, of beginning new life from seed, is a ritual and a magical act in itself. To cultivate something in the black soil, see it sprout and then bloom, is to watch a magical working unfold before our very eyes. The plant cycle is intrinsically tied to so many earth-based belief systems that it should come as no surprise that the garden is a magical place in the spring.
The Magic of Wind
Because April's moon is associated with the winds–for obvious reasons–now is a good time to explore the winds that blow from each of the cardinal directions. For instance, the North Wind is associated with cold, destruction, and change–and not always the good kind of change. If you've got some bad stuff looming on the horizon, now's the time to work through it. Do this not just by changing yourself, but also the way you respond to other people and to events that are taking place in your life.
The South Wind, in contrast, is connected to warmth and the element of fire, which in turn is associated with passion and power. Fire is a destroyer, but it also creates, so if there is a passion that you've lost in your life–whether it's romantic or something else–work on doing what you need to do to rebuild it.
The winds of the East are often associated with new beginnings; in particular, focus on new careers, education, or other aspects of your life that are related to communication and your intellect. Finally, the West Wind is tied to the cleansing and healing powers of water, so if you need to get rid of things that are causing you heartache or pain, let the wind blow them right out of your life.
“There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by.” – William Cullen Bryant
Craft Corner...
~ Seed Bombs ~
By: The Outdoor Apothocary
Materials and Preparation
Following your thoughtful selection of seeds, the next step is to blend them with natural clay and compost or potting soil. The clay acts as a binding agent, holding the seed bomb together, while the compost provides essential nutrients to help the seeds get a healthy start once they germinate. The mixture is then moistened with water to a pliable consistency, rolled into balls, and left to dry. Once dry, these seed bombs are ready for action.
Here’s a quick checklist to ensure you have everything you need for your seed bomb project:
- Clay Powder: This is the glue that holds your seed bombs together until they’re nestled into the earth. I am using bentonite clay, but air dry clay will also work.
- Compost or Potting Soil: This is where your seeds will get their initial burst of nutrients to kick-start growth.
- Seeds: Pick a mix that speaks to you and is right for your environment.
- Water: You’ll need just enough to bind the mixture together without making it soggy.
- Bowl: A container for combining your clay, soil, and seeds.
- Spoon or Spatula: An ideal tool for mixing everything evenly.
- Tray: A flat surface for drying your seed bombs once they’re shaped.
- Gloves (optional): If you prefer to keep your hands clean, gloves are a great idea.
With these items at the ready, you’re all set to craft your very own eco-friendly DIY seed bombs, poised to infuse dormant spaces with life and color.
Shaping and Drying Your Seed Bombs
Creating DIY seed bombs is a highlight for me, and here’s how you can make your own, step by step:
1. Mix Your Ingredients: Combine equal parts compost or potting soil with clay. Add water gradually until you achieve a dough-like consistency that sticks together but isn’t soggy.
2. Form the Seed Bombs: Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it in your hands to form a ball about the size of a marble. This hands-on step is not only fun but lets you feel the potential in each seed bomb.
3. Add the Seeds: Press your finger into each ball to create a small indentation. Place 3 seeds for larger seeds like milkweed, or a pinch for smaller seeds, into the indentation. Then, gently roll the seed into the clay mixture to enclose it.
4. Size Adjustments: If you’re using larger seeds, such as acorns, scale up to form a ball about the size of a golf ball. For seeds from maples, ashes, or wild cherries, aim for a size similar to a grape.
5. Let Them Firm Up: Allow the DIY seed bombs a couple of hours to firm up. Be careful not to let them dry out completely on the inside during this time.
6. Store Until Ready: Once they’ve firmed up but haven’t dried out, place the DIY seed bombs in a plastic bag and store them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to plant them.
Choose the Right Location
Remember, this activity is best for areas where you have permission, like your own garden, a friend’s backyard, or community spaces open to such initiatives. Avoid using them in state or national parks or protected conservation lands without explicit permission.
When to Scatter your DIY Seed Bombs
When it comes to planting your DIY seed bombs, timing is everything, and the sweet spot for tossing them is from fall right through to the early spring. You see, many native plants need a good chill to wake up and start growing. Throwing your seed bombs during the cool and damp season helps them settle into the soil comfortably, undergoing their necessary cold rest period, and preparing them perfectly for sprouting.
Watch the calendar closely, because by the time we hit mid-May, the weather warms up and the soil starts to dry out. This can be tough on your seeds if you’re not there to water them regularly. They might struggle to survive without a little extra care.
Here’s a handy tip to remember: seeds have different needs. So, before you dive into making DIY seed bombs, take some time to research the specific needs of the seeds you want to use. Understanding what your seeds need to thrive until it’s time to plant them can really help your seed bombs transform from simple clay balls to vibrant spots of greenery and color in your garden or local area.
Happy Crafting and Blessed Be!
“Our spring has come at last with the soft laughter of April suns and shadow of April showers.” – Byron Caldwell Smith
The Kitchen Witch's Cauldron
~ Cheddar-Veggie Torte ~
The Latvian festival, Lieldienas (the Great Day or Great Days), was to celebrate the egg magic of the spring equinox. Folklore tells us Lieldienas was originally celebrated on the first day (and days after) when sunlight finally overcomes darkness. Its most important meal was breakfast and the table would be filled with eggs, egg dishes, and other round foods — bread, cakes, cheeses — emphasizing the sun’s return.
Eggs embodied the fertilizing power of the sun because spring is when hens, cued by increasing light, began laying once again. For the “Lieldienas Feast“, eggs colored with onion skins, red cabbage, birch leaves, and tree bark created golden colors emulating the sun – ensuring a plentiful growing season to come. ~ Gather Victoria
“Summer is only the unfulfilled promise of spring, a charlatan in place of the warm balmy nights I dream of in April. It’s a sad season of life without growth…It has no day.” – F. Scott Fitzgerald
April Book Review
EVE
How the Female Body Drove 200 Million Years of Human Evolution
By: Cat Bohannon
How did the female body drive 200 million years of human evolution? • Why do women live longer than men? • Why are women more likely to get Alzheimer’s? • Why do girls score better at every academic subject than boys until puberty, when suddenly their scores plummet? • Is sexism useful for evolution? • And why, seriously why, do women have to sweat through our sheets every night when we hit menopause?
These questions are producing some truly exciting science – and in Eve, with boundless curiosity and sharp wit, Cat Bohannon covers the past 200 million years to explain the specific science behind the development of the female sex: “We need a kind of user's manual for the female mammal. A no-nonsense, hard-hitting, seriously researched (but readable) account of what we are. How female bodies evolved, how they work, what it really means to biologically be a woman. Something that would rewrite the story of womanhood. This book is that story. We have to put the female body in the picture. If we don't, it's not just feminism that's compromised. Modern medicine, neurobiology, paleoanthropology, even evolutionary biology all take a hit when we ignore the fact that half of us have breasts. So it's time we talk about breasts. Breasts, and blood, and fat, and vaginas, and wombs—all of it. How they came to be and how we live with them now, no matter how weird or hilarious the truth is.”
Eve is not only a sweeping revision of human history, it’s an urgent and necessary corrective for a world that has focused primarily on the male body for far too long. Picking up where Sapiens left off, Eve will completely change what you think you know about evolution and why Homo sapiens has become such a successful and dominant species.
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION FINALIST • THE REAL ORIGIN OF OUR SPECIES: a myth-busting, eye-opening landmark account of how humans evolved, offering a paradigm shift in our thinking about what the female body is, how it came to be, and how this evolution still shapes all our lives today
“A page-turning whistle-stop tour of mammalian development that begins in the Jurassic Era, Eve recasts the traditional story of evolutionary biology by placing women at its center…. The book is engaging, playful, erudite, discursive and rich with detail." —Sarah Lyall, The New York Times
“A smart, funny, scientific deep-dive into the power of a woman’s body, Eve surprises, educates, and emboldens.” —Bonnie Garmus, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Lessons in Chemistry
About the Author:
Cat Bohannon is a researcher and author with a Ph.D. from Columbia University in the evolution of narrative and cognition. Her essays and poems have appeared in Scientific American, Science Magazine, The Best American Nonrequired Reading, The Georgia Review, The Story Collider, and Poets Against the War.
April Laughs:
Write for Goddess Speak!
Goddess Speak accepts submissions for articles, stories, poetry, recipes, guided meditations, creative fiction, chants, artwork, photography and more. Please send submissions to Laurelinn, in care of goddessspeakeditor@gmail.com. If your submission is selected you will be notified by email.
Credits:
As Noted