Beltane
May 14th, 2009 | 
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This is celebrated on 30 April/1 May and is noted as the Festival of Fire
Beltane is an important festival in the Celtic calendar. The name originates from the Celtic god, Bel – the ‘bright one’, and the Gaelic word ‘teine’ meaning fire, giving the name ‘bealttainn’, meaning ‘bright fire’.
This is the beginning of the ‘lighted half’ of the year when the Sun begins to set later in the evening and the hawthorn blossoms. To our ancestors Beltane was the coming of summer and fertility. Nature is in bloom and the earth is full of fecundity and life.
Wiccans and Wiccan-inspired Neopagans celebrate a variation of Beltane as a sabbat, one of the eight solar holidays. Although the holiday may use features of the Gaelic Bealtaine, such as the bonfire, it bears more relation to the Germanic May Day festival, both in its significance (focusing on fertility) and its rituals (such as maypole dancing). Some Wiccans celebrate “High Beltaine” by enacting a ritual union of the May Lord and Lady.
Among the Wiccan sabbats, Beltane is a cross-quarter day; it is celebrated in the northern hemisphere on May 1 and in the southern hemisphere on November 1. Beltane follows Ostara and precedes Midsummer.
Beltane or Beltaine is the anglicised spelling of Bealtaine, the Gaelic names for either the month of May or the festival that takes place on the first day of May.
As an ancient Gaelic festival, Bealtaine was celebrated in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. There were similar festivals held at the same time in the other Celtic countries of Wales, Brittany and Cornwall. Bealtaine and Samhain were the leading terminal dates of the civil year in Ireland though the latter festival was the more important. The festival survives in folkloric practices in the Celtic Nations and the Irish diaspora, and has experienced a degree of revival in recent decades.
The Maiden
The Triple Goddess worshipped by the Ancient Britons at Beltane is believed to be in her aspect of the Maiden. Described in many similar for such as: The May Queen, May Bride, Goddess of Spring, Flower Bride, Queen of the Fairies - a symbol of purity, growth and renewal. There is an old saying that says “The Crone turns to stone on Beltane Eve“
Hawthorn
The blossoms of May symbolise female fertility, with its creamy/ white, fragrant flowers. Hawthorn blossom are worn during Beltane celebrations, especially by the May Queen. It is believed to be a potent magical plant and it is considered unlucky to bring the blossom inside the house, apart from on May eve.
Fire
Beltane fires are used to cleanse us of evil spirits and to bring fertility and a good milk yield. The Celts leapt over Beltane fires – for fertility and purification. Young men would circle the Beltaine fires holding Rowan branches to bring protection against evil – its bright berries suggested fire – malign powers were considered particularly active at the year’s turning-point. It was considered unlucky to allow anyone to take fire from one’s house on May Eve or May Day, as they would gain power over the inhabitants.
Handfasting
This ancient Pagan and Celtic ceremony marked the taking of a partner – this involves a commitment to perform an annual review of relationship. The couple’s hands are ritually bound together to symbolize their union. Some people choose to use a ribbon that they have both signed. Between Beltane and the Summer Solstice is the most popular time for handfastings.
A Beltane fire festival is held annually in Edinburgh, at Calton Hill on 30th.
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