Beltane Art prints and booklet

The Beltane is very special to me as it was my first real introduction to The Wheel of the Year when I went to the burning of the wicker man and Beltane celebrations at Butser Ancient Farm. I had been looking for a Beltane event and this was less than 20 minutes from my sisters house. I immediately booked tickets.

This event opened up a whole new world which just made sense to me and I instantly felt at home. I don't have any faith but with these eight festivals which celebrate the way this land shifts and changes throughout the year, what the earth and hedgerows offer, celebrating nature and landscape, a connection with our ancient past, something slotted into place.

When researching this design I found a story of nine Welsh woodsmen, entering the woodland to gather sticks and branches from nine different trees to burn on a sacred fire. I decided to base the design around this story and also include nine plants to forage for at this time of year. The trees I have included are Oak, Ash, Willow, Alder, Hawthorn, Birch, Blackthorn, Holly and Hazel and the plants are Ox-eye daisies, Jack in the Hedge, Violets, Dandelions, Fumitory, Ground Ivy, Gorse, White Deadnettle and Comfrey.

The Beltane zine (printed onto one sheet of paper measuring 297mm x 297mm and folded into four) accompanying the design goes into more detail about the background of this design and highlights the culinary and medicinal properties of all the trees and plants. There is also a menu plan for the day, more about trees and lots of ways to celebrate. 

Designing and researching this coincided with visiting the Welsh woodland we have bought. It was the first time we were able to really look at and identify the trees and some of the plants growing properly. I gathered dead sticks and twigs from nine trees in the woodland and have made a blend of them which you can burn on your own Beltane fires. I'll be giving small packs of these away free to the first people who buy the Beltane booklet.

The border for many of my designs illustrates trees chosen for their associations with old customs and beliefs. They are Elder, Oak, Ivy and Holly. I have also included some of the phases of the moon.

The artwork is printed onto 100% recycled 300 gsm card which has a smooth, white finish. This print is available in two sizes: 210mm 210mm and 297 mm x 297 mm. Also available as an organic cotton handkerchief.

Each order is wrapped in acid free, unbleached tissue paper, tied with yarn and includes a hand written thank you note. I am happy to address this to recipients of gifts at no extra cost. Just let me know in the notes when you place your order.

As a special offer for the Beltane 2021 I sent out packs of Nine Sacred Trees, gathered in our woodland.