Pagan observances in May revolve around the celebration of fertility and the arrival of spring. May Day, also known as Beltane, is a pagan festival that takes place on May 1st and marks the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It is a time to honor the earth's fertility and the abundance of nature. During Beltane, pagans engage in various rituals and practices to symbolize this celebration of fertility. One common practice is the maypole dance, where individuals hold ribbons and weave them around a tall pole, representing the intertwining of masculine and feminine energies. This dance is a way of asking for blessings and fertility for the coming year.
10,000 gp for 1 spells up to 3rd level.
As Bloodcinder suggests in this answer to a related question, a DM who wants to enable their player to create a shield guardian could refer to an existing magical item, the manual of golems , which enables construction of thematically very similar creatures. Unfortunately, as of yet, the published 5e resources contain no instructions or indication as to what is required to actually construct a shield guardian.
This dance is a way of asking for blessings and fertility for the coming year. Another important aspect of Beltane is the lighting of bonfires. These fires are believed to have purifying and protective qualities, and people may jump over the flames to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits.
Shield Guardian (CR +2)
A spellcaster with enough talent, resources, and inspiration can create a special variant of a golem known as a shield guardian. Any true golem can be created as a shield guardian, but the choice to do so must be made during the golem’s construction—a completed golem cannot later be “upgraded” to function as a shield guardian.
Shield guardians are designed to serve as bodyguards. When created, a shield guardian is keyed to a magical amulet that is constructed at the same time as (and as part of the cost of) the guardian. Henceforth, it regards the wearer of that amulet as its master, protecting and following that individual everywhere (unless specifically commanded not to do so). If a shield guardian’s amulet is destroyed, the guardian ceases to function until a new one is created. If the wearer dies but the amulet is intact, the shield guardian carries out the last command it was given.
A shield guardian obeys its master’s verbal commands to the best of its ability, although it is not good for much beyond combat, protection, and simple manual labor. It can also be keyed to perform specific tasks at specific times or when certain conditions are met. The wearer of the amulet can call the shield guardian from any distance, and it will come as long as it is on the same plane.
Shield guardians have the same statistics as the base golem, but with the following additional special qualities.
Challenge Rating: A shield guardian’s CR is equal to the base golem’s CR + 2.
Controlled (Ex)
A shield guardian that has the berserk special attack cannot go berserk as long as the wearer of its amulet is within 30 feet.
Fast Healing (Ex)
A shield guardian has fast healing 5.
Find Master (Su)
As long as a shield guardian and its amulet are on the same plane, the shield guardian can locate the amulet’s wearer (or just the amulet, if it is removed after the guardian is called).
Guard (Ex)
If ordered to do so, a shield guardian moves to defend the wearer of its amulet. All attacks against the amulet wearer take a –2 penalty when the shield guardian is adjacent to its master.
Shield Other (Sp)
The wearer of a shield guardian’s amulet can activate this defensive ability as a standard action if within 100 feet of the shield guardian. Just as the spell of the same name, this ability transfers to the shield guardian half the damage that would be dealt to the amulet wearer (note that this ability does not provide the spell’s AC or save bonuses). Damage transferred in this manner bypasses any defensive abilities (such as immunity or damage reduction) the golem possesses.
Spell Storing (Sp)
A shield guardian can store one spell of 4th level or lower that is cast into it by another creature. It “casts” this spell when commanded to do so or when a predefined situation arises. Once this spell is used, the shield guardian can store another spell (or the same spell again).
Construction
A shield guardian’s base materials cost an additional 25,000 gp above the base golem’s cost. The creature’s master may assemble the body or hire someone else to do the job. The Craft check required to make the body is 4 higher than normal for the base golem’s kind. The keyed amulet is fashioned at the same time—it costs 20,000 gp above and beyond the shield guardian’s total cost. After the body is sculpted, the shield guardian is animated through an extended magical ritual that requires a specially prepared laboratory or workroom, similar to an alchemist’s laboratory and costing 500 gp to establish. If the creator is personally constructing the creature’s body, the building and the ritual can be performed together. The creator must have a minimum caster level of 2 higher than the base golem’s minimum required caster level. In addition, the following spells are added to the base golem’s requirements: discern location and either shield or shield other .
A shield guardian’s base materials cost an additional 25,000 gp above the base golem’s cost. The creature’s master may assemble the body or hire someone else to do the job. The Craft check required to make the body is 4 higher than normal for the base golem’s kind. The keyed amulet is fashioned at the same time—it costs 20,000 gp above and beyond the shield guardian’s total cost. After the body is sculpted, the shield guardian is animated through an extended magical ritual that requires a specially prepared laboratory or workroom, similar to an alchemist’s laboratory and costing 500 gp to establish. If the creator is personally constructing the creature’s body, the building and the ritual can be performed together. The creator must have a minimum caster level of 2 higher than the base golem’s minimum required caster level. In addition, the following spells are added to the base golem’s requirements: discern location and either shield or shield other .
Couples may also leap over the fires together as a symbolic act of unity and fertility. In addition to Beltane, there are other pagan observances in May that focus on honoring nature and the changing seasons. One such observance is the festival of Flora, which pays tribute to the Roman goddess of flowers and spring. This festival involves offerings of flowers and garlands, as well as processions and revelry. Overall, pagan observances in May are centered around the celebration of fertility, nature, and the arrival of spring. These rituals and practices serve as a way for pagans to connect with the earth and honor the cycles of life. They provide a sense of community and connection to the natural world, reminding individuals of the beauty and abundance that surrounds them..
Reviews for "May Day Divination: Pagan Methods of Fortune-telling in May"
1. Karen - 2/5 stars: I was really looking forward to "Pagan Observances in May" as I had heard great things about it, but I have to say, I was disappointed. The film seemed to lack direction and the plot was confusing and hard to follow. The characters were also quite flat and uninteresting, making it difficult to be invested in their stories. Overall, I felt that the film could have been so much better with a stronger script and more compelling performances.
2. John - 1/5 stars: I found "Pagan Observances in May" to be an absolute bore. The pacing was incredibly slow and nothing of interest seemed to happen throughout the entire film. I kept waiting for something exciting or engaging to occur, but it never did. The cinematography was also lackluster, with the visuals feeling dull and uninspired. I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for an entertaining viewing experience.
3. Sarah - 2.5/5 stars: While "Pagan Observances in May" had an intriguing concept, the execution fell flat for me. The storyline had potential, but it was overshadowed by poor dialogue and wooden acting. The pacing was also inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on for far too long. Additionally, the film lacked a cohesive atmosphere, failing to fully immerse the viewer in its world. Overall, I found it to be a mediocre film that didn't live up to its promises.
4. Mark - 2/5 stars: "Pagan Observances in May" seemed like it could have been an interesting exploration of pagan rituals and traditions, but it ended up being a convoluted mess. The plot was disjointed and hard to understand, leaving me feeling confused throughout the entire film. The characters were also unrelatable and underdeveloped, making it difficult to emotionally invest in their journeys. I would have liked to see a clearer and more coherent narrative to truly appreciate the subject matter.
5. Emily - 1.5/5 stars: I found "Pagan Observances in May" to be completely unmemorable. The film lacked any sort of emotional impact and felt shallow and superficial. The performances were unconvincing, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I was hoping for a thought-provoking and visually stunning film, but instead, I was left feeling disappointed and unengaged. I would recommend skipping this one and finding a more compelling film to watch.