Beltane marks the spot on the wheel of the year between Ostara - the Spring equinox - and Litha - the Summer solstice. Beltane is celebrated from the evening of April 31 through May 1. Beltane is also one of two liminal times of the year, meaning a time when the veil between worlds is thinnest, the other time being Samhain.
Beltane is named after the Celtic Sun God Belenus and is a fire and fertility festival. The celebrations begin in the evening of April 31 when two large bonfires are lit and cattle and other livestock are herded between them for protection and purification. Traditionally, townsfolk would also jump over the flames for luck and cleanse themselves in the smoke for purification. All other fires would be put out before these bonfires were lit and hearth fires would be kindled from torches lit with the flames of the sacred Beltane bonfire.
The next day, on May 1, the maypole dance would take place in which a large pole would be thrust into the ground with coloured ribbons attached to the top. Townsfolk would dance around the pole holding a ribbon with men going one way and women the other. They would weave in and out from each other, wrapping the coloured ribbons around the pole. Handfasting and betrothal rituals would also be common at this time of the year.
Made with herbs, resins and woods associated with Beltane including frankincense, sandalwood, woodruff, jasmine flowers and a unique blend of neroli, jasmine, rose and sandalwood essential oils, burn this incense to celebrate the rebirth of Spring and for any spells or rituals aimed at unity, fertility, protection and purification.
Incense is sold in packs of 6 cones and all incense is hand-crafted with organic ingredients, including cedarwood sawdust and makko powder (also known as Tabu no ki) from the bark of the Machilus thunbergii tree. This all-natural organic powder acts as a binder which holds the cones together and helps to regulate how they burn. There are no fillers, additives or artificial fragrances in any incense that I make, except for musk oil which is only available as a synthetic fragrance for ethical reasons.
Each cone is weighed to between 3 to 3.5 grams before being dried to ensure uniformity in size and end up being about 1" tall. Given that they are hand made, there may be some variation in shape. Each cone burns for approximately 20 minutes.
