Newsletter: Beltane 2025
- midwestcovencast
- Apr 30
- 7 min read
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Beltane Book Review: Grimoire Girl by Hilarie Burton Morgan
I have always felt something of a strange affinity with Hilarie Burton-Morgan from her days hosting MTV’s Total Request Live to her portrayal of the moody music aficionado, Peyton Sawyer, and later watching her in interviews, there was something about her that drew me in. She seems to see the world’s potential and holds power in the way that she encourages others to see the world for its little beauties as well.
In 2023, Burton-Morgan released her second autobiographical work, Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief and suddenly, I felt like some of my strange attraction to her finally made more sense than it ever had. I tend to have a way of sniffing out powerful witchy women even before knowing (at least definitively) that they are, in fact, witchy women. I was determined to read her book when I had a chance. Of course, as a profligate reader, my TBR (“to be read”) pile is always growing by leaps, but only decreasing by a number that translates (roughly) into the conclusion that I will never make it through as many books as I would like.
But the universe, whether through coincidence or divine intervention, always seems to find ways to help me out and I was recently introduced to an application called Libby, which is an ebook and audiobook platform I have access to through my local library. I happened to be looking through their audiobooks that were immediately available and Grimoire Girl happened to be in the early search results. It seemed like fate - so I finally took the time to take in the work, and I am so happy that I did.
Burton-Morgan’s ability to see the magic and longevity in the little parts of life really spoke to me. She seems to find beauty in friendships, in spaces, in the creative process, in family, and throughout her life, she has felt inclined to collect stories or keepsakes that remind her of these things. She realizes that her life-long practice was, in effect, a creation of her own personal grimoires and method of leaving behind a legacy for her loved ones, a practice that she states came into clearer focus after the birth of her children – and especially her daughter.
This book is, in some ways, a micro-version of her life-long practice. Here in this work she takes note of the people who inspire her, important life lessons, accounts of her witchy practices, and more. Perhaps, one of my favorite passages comes from an essay in which she discusses her philosophy about making her home feel like her own. She is critical of the world and its millennial grays and overly precautious feelings of ensuring one’s home is always in saleable condition, instead encouraging us to make our home feel like our own, a place of peace, comfort, or whatever we personally need it to be. As a creative that has felt restrained by such “seller” mentality in my spaces in the past, this helped to encourage me to tackle a few household projects that I feared might “ruin” the space for future occupants. But the future occupants aren’t here now…I am… so really (and I think Burton-Morgan would agree), I should do the thing to the space that makes it bring ME joy.
I also really appreciated the way that she spoke about the people who inspire her. Whether her co-stars, close friends, family, or a random fan at a convention, Burton-Morgan seems to see the best in people and find impeccable ways to describe the depth of their meaning to her and her life. I aspire to see people in the way that she does.
Overall, Grimoire Girl is, in my view, a wonderful modern take on what it means to be a witch and the long rebellious (but wise) label that tends to carry. I definitely recommend checking out this book.
Tending the Spark: A Beltane Ritual
As the wheel of the year turns again, we find ourselves at the threshold of Beltane, a time of fire, fertility, and awakening. The earth is buzzing with new life, the days are warmer and longer, and there’s a wild, urgent energy in the air. This is the time to celebrate desire, not just romantic or sexual desire, but the longing that drives us to grow, to create, to connect.
Purpose
This ritual is meant to help you tend the spark within, that sacred fire of passion, inspiration, and will. Whether you practice alone or with others, this ritual invites you to listen to what calls you forward and honor what lights you up.
You Will Need
A candle (red or orange if available)
A small bowl of water
Fresh flowers or herbs (foraged, store-bought, or even drawn on paper)
A journal or something to write with
Optional: a bell, rattle, or musical instrument
The Ritual
1. Set your space.Begin by finding a quiet space where you feel safe and present. Light your candle and take a few deep breaths. Let the light remind you of the sun's growing power and the fire of Beltane.
2. Call in the elements. (Optional and adaptable to your tradition)
Air: Ring a bell or take a deep breath. "I welcome the winds of inspiration and clarity."
Fire: Gaze into the candle. "I welcome the fire of passion and transformation."
Water: Touch the water. "I welcome the waters of feeling and flow."
Earth: Place your hand on the ground or hold a flower. "I welcome the grounding of growth and abundance."
Spirit: Place your hand on your heart. "I welcome my own spirit into this moment."
3. Tending the SparkAsk yourself: What desires are waking up in me? What is calling me to action, to love, to life?Take a moment to write freely in your journal. Don’t overthink it, just let your inner fire speak.
4. Offer to the fireTake a flower, herb, or written word and hold it to your heart. Whisper your desire or intention into it. Then place it beside the candle or gently into the water bowl. “May this spark be tended with love and purpose.”
5. Move the energyDance, hum, sway, play an instrument, let your body move the energy of Beltane. This doesn’t have to look like anything specific. Just feel the joy of being alive and awake!
6. ClosingThank the elements and any spirits or energies you’ve invited. Blow out the candle, saying: “The fire still burns within.” Pour the water outside or return it to the earth with gratitude.
Reflection or Action Prompt:
What are three ways I can tend to my own passions in the coming weeks?
Where have I been playing small, and how can I let myself shine brighter?
Shadow Work Prompt: All the little Beauties
Beltane is a fire festival of passion, growth, and blooming potential. Yet in a world that often feels heavy with grief and chaos, it can be hard to stay soft, hopeful, or enchanted. And still… you carry light.
In Burton-Morgan’s Grimoire Girl: A Memoir of Magic and Mischief she still sees the world’s potential and encourages others to see the beauty in the little things too. In what ways have you kept your heart open, despite the wounds you carry? What burns within you that helps you to see magic in the mundane? And how can you protect that spark—especially when the world tries to dim it?
Explore the balance between your wounds and your wonder. How can you root into your joy like wildflowers pushing through stone? What rituals, boundaries, or truths do you need to stay enchanted?
Sneak Peek: Midwest Rituals – Our Upcoming Pagan Board Game!
We’re thrilled to finally share a first look at something magical we’ve been stirring in the cauldron behind the scenes, Midwest Rituals, a storytelling board game rooted in the Wheel of the Year and rich with Pagan lore, elemental challenges, and playful strategic rituals. Whether you’re foraging for herbs, dancing at Beltane, or facing an unexpected thunderstorm, every card holds a story and every turn shapes your path.
This month, we’re offering a preview of one of our Beltane Ritual Cards:
Coven Coloring Club
This turn of the wheel we have another installment of our Coven Coloring Series. Beltane is a time of blooming flowers and growing green around every corner. This coloring sheet embodies the emerging foliage and greenery of the season.
Get out your crayons and markers or upload to your favorite digital artspace and make this sheet beautiful! Share your coloring page on social media and tag us (@midwestcovencast).
You can download the file below.
Southern Hemisphere Shout Out: Samhain
Samhain has come to the southern hemisphere! We hope that our friends in the southern hemisphere are wrapping up a bountiful harvest season! If you would like to see how we celebrated Samhain here in the north (during our “turn”) and get some ideas for journaling, activities and more, you can check out our past Samhain newsletter on our website!
An all new Witch Tale!
We are happy to finally announce that our next installment in our Witch Tales series, The Magic of Kin: An Ancestral Witch Tale, will be released this summer. Although the exact publication date will be announced in the coming months, we wanted our regular newsletter readers and Patreon coven to be the first to know!
Special Thanks
As always, we extend a special thanks to our Patreon contributors. An exceptionally extra-large thanks to Steve D. and Anonymous for you over and above contributions. Your support helps keep all of our little operations churning and we are eternally grateful to you for helping that happen.
Calendar
01 MAY Beltane
09 MAY Midwest Coven Cast Presents: Weekend Reads S4E16 (season finale)
12 MAY FULL Flower Moon (11:55 am CST)
26 MAY New Moon (10:02 pm CST)
11 JUNE FULL Strawberry Moon (2:43 am CST)
20 JUNE Litha
Midsummer
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