Beltane

Beltane is derived from the Celtic God Belenus or Bel and was worshipped in Gaul, Britain, Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The term Beltane means “bright fire” which is also known as May Eve or May Day. The name Belenus means “the brillant or shining one” with Bel means “shining”. The term Beltane also is derived from the Old Irish Beltain, which later became known as Bealtaine and in the Scottish Gaelic is referred to as Bealltainn. Both Beltain (Bealtaine) and Bealltainn are from the Old Irish Beltene meaning “bright fire”. The term Bel or Bael is linked to the English term bale and refers to the bale-fire which is often lit on Beltane. The term Bealtaine also refers to the month of May or the festival that takes place on the first of May in Ireland.

For the Celtic Nation, Beltane marked the beginning of summer when the herds of livestock were driven out to the summer pastures and mountain grazing lands. The lighting of bonfires on the eve of Beltane was a main activity of this festival. In fact, on the Hills of Uisneach and Tara, the community would light the bale-fires from their individual hearth fires. These fires symbolized purification and transition, welcoming the summer season and the blessing of the land for a good harvest.

It was also common in Ireland to decorate the homes by hanging boughs made of Rowan (Mountain Ash) and hawthorn over the doors and windows and in Scotland boughs of junipers were thrown in the fires for purification and blessing. It was also common to drive livestock and individual through two fires for purification.

In Traditional British Witchcraft, this Sabbat is observed as a festival of fertility and often the Great Rite is enacted to bless the land on May Eve. It is also a time of unity between the Goddess and God, often seen as dancing around the Maypole.