Beltaine Oatcakes

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Oatcakes are part of the Beltaine ceremony. Their roundness is symbolic of the life-giving sun whose return is marked by this festive sabbat. During Beltaine a huge bonfire is kept going all night long. Pieces of the cake are thrown into the fire as an offering to the protective deities.

Participate in this ancient custom by casting the oatcakes into an outside bonfire or even your fireplace. Begin by blessing these cakes. Say a prayer of gratitude, giving thanks to the Goddess and God for their abundance. Pass around the cake in a clockwise direction. Invite each of your guests to take a piece of the cake.

Say:

We are each a part of the joyous circle of love.

As we cast the bread into the fire,

we fuse together into the One Being,

That always was and always will be.

Recommend to your guests that they remember the joy in their hearts as they experience the gaiety of the season.

2 Tablespoons vegetable shortening

1/3 cup (80 Milliliters) boiling water

3 cups (680 grams) Medium rolled Oats

1 Teaspoon Minced fresh sage

1/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 teaspoon Salt.

Preheat the oven to 350*F (175*C). In a small pan, heat the shortening and water, until the shortening has melted. Remove from heat and let cool. Mix the oats, sage, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl. Mix the cooled liquid and the oat mixture, adding water, if necessary, to maintain a dough-like consistency. Pat the dough into a circle, about 8

inches (20 Centimeters) in diameter. Place on an un-greased baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes. Cut into 8 wedges, then leave to cool on a wire rack.