Beltane is the anglicised name of the Gaelic May Day festival. May Day is on 1 May and is held on or near the halfway mark between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It is one of the oldest and most ancient festival days. It is widely observed in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man, and in modern times has spread to the Diaspora.
In Irish Gaelic it is called Lá Bealtaine, in Scottish Gaelic, Là Bealltainn, an in Manx Gaelic Laa Boaltinn. Beltane is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals, along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasa. There are several theories on the etymology of Beltane; the most accepted one is that it is from the common Celtic Belo-tenia, meaning 'bright or shinning fire,' which in turn goes back to the Indo-European 'Bhel (to shine) tepnos (warm).
It is not a 'fire festival,' but fire is a integral part of the festivities. Prior to modern times it was a festival to mark and celebrate the moving of livestock to summer pastures and to honour the old gods and evoke the blessings of fertility of the tribe and the life giving cattle.
Beltane is mentioned in the earliest written Gaelic literature when Christian monks began to write down Gaelic lore and myths in early medieval times. The medieval accounts were ancient even then and date back before Christianity was introduced to the Gaelic homelands.
On the Beltane Eve the festival began. The people gathered to feast, have drink, and make offerings to the Aos Sí, who are the old gods of the Gaels. Byres, the windows and doors of homes, etc., were decorated with flowers. It was a joyous festival ushering in the bountiful time when the days grew longer, the sun shined more, and the weather grew warmer.
Beltane survived the coming of Christianity and continued on for centuries, despite the attempts of overly zealous Christian officials who wanted to stop the practice, as they were fully aware of the pagan origins of Beltane. By the 20th century the festival had almost died out and was only celebrated and practiced in certain areas in Ireland, Scotland, and Man. In the late 20th century there was a revival of Beltane festivities. The focus of Beltane changed some in these modern times, but the main core beliefs did remain. The concept of the season change, the coming of the sun, and the start of the season of growth and plenty, etc., remain.
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Fire was and is an integral part of Beltane. All fires were put out on Beltane Eve and then rekindled starting with the lighting of the bonfire. It was this holy flame from which the 'new' flames of the the folk began. It was the 'force fire' and sacred. Many will recognise the fire ritual as the same ritual used in the Catholic Church and several other Christian denominations in the Easter lighting of the Paschal candle. There are too many Beltane nuances and rituals to describe here, but there is one core aspect of the ritual. This is a Deiseal procession around the sacred fire. Deiseal means 'right-hand direction' or Sunwise (clockwise). The Deiseal procession around the sacred fire was a Blessing of the Cosmos upon all.
Beltane is still celebrated and the practice is growing. It is now held not only in the Gaelic homeland, but in the Diaspora, and has been incorporated into similar May Eve and May Day celebrations in Europe. While many see Beltane as just a good time with a bonfire, there is also a growing interest in the spiritual aspects of the festival. The concepts of the a new growing season, the connection to the Old Ways of ancestors, and reflection upon life, are also now part of Beltane for a growing number of people.
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a sacred fire of Bealtaine
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Do enjoy Beltane. A bonfire is best way to partake of course and with a Deiseal (clockwise) procession around the sacred fire. Followed by toasts to the Aos Sí, to Ancestors, to the coming season of Summer. If you lack the means of a bonfire, a candle will do, or even a wee fire in your fire-pit. Connect with your Ancestors and the Old Ways, as these are good things.
