Beltane

The original name of this festival is "Bealtaine" or "Bealtuinn", which literally means "Bel-fire"; the fire of the Celtic God known by such names as Bel, Beli, Balar, Balor or Belenus. It is believed by certain sects and individuals that the God Cernunnos is also equated with the God Bel; interesting enough, since both Bel and Cernunnos are nature deities. While Cernunnos was known also as an underworld deity, Bel was the "Bright One", God of light and fire. Either way, it balances out; light and dark, or nature and natural. Symbolically, both the Cernunnos aspect and the Bel aspect can be seen as ways of visualizing the Great Father who impregnates the Great Mother; and these are the two themes that dominate the May Eve/May Day celebrations throughout Celtic and British folklore -- fertility and fire.

The Bel-fires were lit on the hilltops to celebrate the return of life and fertility to the world. In the Scottish Highlands (as late as the eighteenth century), fire was kindled by drilling an oak plank, but only in the kindling of the Beltane need fire. In Pagan Ireland, no one could light a Beltane fire until the Ard Ri, or High King, had lit the first one on Tara Hill. In AD 433, it's said that Saint Patrick showed an acute understanding of symbolism when he lit a fire on Slane Hill, ten miles from Tara, before the High King Laoghaire lit his. Saint David, it's also said, made a similar historic gesture in Wales the following century.

A feature of the Beltane fire festival in many lands was jumping over the fire (was meaning that it has not been a common practice for quite awhile; not that it can't become so again). Young people jumped it to bring themselves a spouse, intended travellers to ensure a safe journey, pregnant women to ensure an easy delivery, and so on. Cattle were driven through the ashes of a Beltane fire, or between two such fires, to ensure a good milk-yield.



Beltane, also known as May Day, commences at sunset on April 30. Although Bel is the recognized ruling deity, this is the festival of all deities of grown and fertility. The Asatru God Bragi and the Goddess Iduna are also associated with this feast. The Beltane fire is traditionally composed of wood taken from nine different types of trees, and is kindled on a specially prepared sacred grid. This grid is made by drawing a square on the ground, and separating it into nine smaller squares. Turf from the eight outer squares is removed, but the ninth -- in the center -- is left intact.

The Beltane fire is lit upon the ninth square by turning an oaken spindle in an oak log socket -- the ancient way of generating fire. Formerly, it was customary to extinguish all other fires in the local area on May Eve. These were then re-lit from the village's Beltane fire; burning at the center, the Beltane fire symbolized the central hearth of the community. These local sacred hearths represented the mystic divine fire at the center of all things; whose spark of life is carried by each of us.



Well, now that you have a bit of history and background..... let's just say that Beltane is this lady's favourite festival!

Brightest of Blessings,

Morrighan

Morrighan has won an award!!

"For great wisdom and alliance to the wild creatures. Blessings and regards, WolfMoon Lady"

May she find peace in the Summerland