The May full moon is the Flower Moon, a time to celebrate the abundance that is now in full bloom. Joyful, playful, and colorful! It is a moon associated with romance, pleasure, and fun.
The Flower Moon resides in the house of Scorpio this year, which brings an intense energy. The desire to see deeper in a time of more lighthearted fun opens the way for soul-searching and truth-seeking. Add to this the presiding sun sign of Taurus, which imbues a need for comfort and attunement to the senses, and you have a recipe for experiencing blissful enlightenment.
Beltane aligns with the Flower Moon this year! Beltane, or May Day, is the cross-quarter sabbat on the Wheel of the Year when we celebrate the midpoint of spring. It brings a thinning of the veil between our world and the Faerie realm, enchantment, and wonder.
As the opposite sabbat on the wheel across from Samhain, both have related attributes but from a different angle. We think about protection from the otherworldly (the faerie realm, though, vs the spirit realm) and ancestral connection at Beltane as we do at Samhain. But Beltane is unique in its ties to the approach of summer, fertility, sacred fires, and joyful celebration.
How can we embody the Flower Moon and Beltane in a cozy, low-key but meaningful modern celebration to mark the occasion?
If you have the accessibility to do so, perhaps gather a bouquet or some potted flowers and light a fire (bonfire, fire pit, candle/s) outdoors at sunset, with a gathering of loved ones if possible, and enjoy animated conversation together. Make wishes on slips of paper or flower petals and offer them to the flames. Sip a special tea for the occasion, of course! (All this can be done solo if needed, and indoors if needed, too. Tailor the simple, cozy ritual to meet you where you are!)
The tea blend for the Beltane Flower Moon relies on the ease and abundance of flowers in season, perfect for capturing the essence of this moon and the sabbat. The flowers not only represent sweetness and fertility, but also divination and deep-rooted feelings. If you have access to the listed flowers in fresh form, by all means use them! And if you don’t have access to any of the flowers in the recipe, you can substitute with (food safe) fresh florals that are local to you if you’d like, or dried flowers, which of course are always a lovely option for herbal teas.
Beltane Flower Moon in Scorpio Tea
Ingredients:
1 tsp fresh or dried elderflower
1 tsp fresh lilac, violet, or fresh/dried jasmine
1 tsp rose petals
¼ tsp powdered vanilla bean, or ¼ vanilla bean per cup of tea
½ tsp lavender
Lemon slices, if desired
Honey, if desired
Instructions:
To make a single cup of tea, add 1 tablespoon to a tea strainer, eco-friendly tea bag, or French press. Pour 1 to 1 ½ cups hot water over the tea and steep for 3-5 minutes. Add honey to taste, if desired.
To cold-brew this tea blend, add the ingredients to a glass jar or French press, steep overnight in the refrigerator, strain, and serve.
To make a larger amount for your Beltane gathering, treat the proportions as “parts” and scale up, such as 1 tsp = ½ cup or 1 cup – choosing your scale depending on the number of people you are serving. You can also do this to mix up a large jar of the tea blend, especially if you’re using dried flowers, to enjoy throughout the Beltane season!
The Herbology Faerie 