BELTANE / BELTAIN

Beginning of Summer.
TRADITIONAL DATES : Northern Hem: April 30 - May 1 . Southern Hem: Oct 31 - Nov 1.
Astrological dates vary annually.

Celebrated sunset to sunset.

BELTANE: SOME KEY POINTS:

• Beltane has been celebrated for centuries throughout Ireland, Scotland and many of these customs were also part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in other parts of Great Britain and Europe but died down during the mid part of the 20th century but has now been revived by Neo paganism and by other European cultural practices.

• Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, to encourage growth and fertility of the land. Also known as Cétshamhain ("first of summer"), it marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures.  These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí. Doors, windows, byres and livestock would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush: typically a thorn bush or branch decorated with flowers, ribbons, bright shells and rushlights. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness.

• Beltane is a Fire Festival. The word 'Beltane' originates from the Celtic God 'Bel', meaning 'the bright one' and the Gaelic word 'teine' meaning fire. Together they make 'Bright Fire', or 'Goodly Fire' and traditionally bonfires were lit to honour the Sun and encourage the support of Bel and the Sun's light to nurture the emerging future harvest and protect the community. Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around or between bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire.

• The Maypole dance is a ceremonial folk dance performed around a tall pole garlanded with greenery or flowers and often hung with ribbons that are woven into complex patterns by the dancers. Such dances are survivals of ancient dances around a living tree as part of spring rites to ensure fertility.
• As Beltane is the Great Wedding of the Goddess (May Queen) and the God, it is a popular time for pagan weddings or Handfastings, a traditional betrothal for 'a year and a day' after which the couple would either choose to stay together or part without recrimination. People jumped the fire to purify, cleanse and to bring fertility. Couples jumped the fire together to pledge themselves to each other.