When the calendar rolls around to Beltane on May first, we all get that magical feeling: aaahhhhh, spring is here at last. And even more importantly, we all get the urge to do something about it. This time of year is great for reveling in the crazy beauty that nature regularly provides but we rarely stop to appreciate. Beltane makes you want to finally go out on those long hikes to gather flowers and pretty rocks, sprawl out on the newborn grass and really smell it, gather friends around a bonfire, dance and sing and flirt outrageously. Yes! This is the official season of blooming love and rushing hormones. After all, in the end we're truly connected to this earth and its cycles just like every other living creature and plant.

And just in time for spring, watch for Ellen Dugan's new book, Herb Magic for Beginners, released by Llewellyn in May. It's a fun little book filled with herbal lore and lots of ready-made spells. Try out an herbal sachet for happy and loving dreams, a witch hazel tree spell to mend a broken heart, a bay leaf spell to promote courage, a rue and lavender ritual for transformation, and much more. Also in May, look for Dorothy Morrison and Kristin Madden's co-authored book, Dancing the Goddess Incarnate. It's a lively and sometimes hilarious book, where you make contact with nine goddesses (three each representing qualities of Maiden, Mother and Crone) by getting on the dance floor and grooving with them! Ever heard of the "Full Moon Macarena Goddess Invocation"? Ever danced the bolero with Venus, or the flamenco with Artemis? There is nothing out there like this book. So uplifting and empowering, you'll want to give it to all your women friends, witches or not.

By getting in the groove of this glorious Beltane season, you're sure to have a fabulous spring! Have fun!

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Publisher's ear

What makes you a witch? What makes you a pagan? How does this affect what choices you make in your everyday life, in what you buy, who you vote for, what you read, and what you do with your free time? Let me know your thoughts and ideas at witchyupdate@llewellyn.com and we'll publish some of your comments in the next Witchy Update! (If you don't want your comments published, just make a note of it in the email, please.)