blessed beltaine to all

[niyad]

Beltane
Observed by Historically: Gaels
Today: Irish people, Scottish people, Manx people, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans
Type Cultural,
Pagan (Celtic polytheism, Celtic Neopaganism, Wicca)
Significance beginning of summer
Date Sunset 30 April – sunset 1 May (N. Hemisphere)
Sunset 31 October – sunset 1 November (S. Hemisphere)
Celebrations lighting bonfires, decorating homes with May flowers, making 'May Bushes', visiting holy wells, feasting
Related to May Day, Calan Mai, Walpurgis Night

Beltane or Beltain (pron.: /ˈbɛlteɪn/) (also Beltine or Beltaine)[1] is the Gaelic May Day festival. Most commonly it is held on 30 April–1 May, or halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It was observed in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. In Irish it is Bealtaine ([ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠənʲə]), in Scottish Gaelic Bealltainn ([ˈpjaul̪ˠt̪ˠɪɲ]) and in Manx Gaelic Boaltinn or Boaldyn. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals; along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh.

Beltane is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and it is associated with important events in Irish mythology. It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around the bonfire, or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. Doors, windows, byres and the cattle themselves would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush; a thorn bush decorated with flowers, ribbons and bright shells. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness. Many of these customs were part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in other parts of Great Britain and Europe.
. . .



Historic Beltane customs

Beltane was one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals: Samhain (~1 November), Imbolc (~1 February), Beltane (~1 May) and Lughnasadh (~1 August). Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures.[2][3][4] Rituals were held at that time to protect them from harm, both natural and supernatural, and this mainly involved the "symbolic use of fire".[2] There were also rituals to protect crops, dairy products and people, and to encourage growth. The sí (often described as 'the spirits' or 'the fairies') were thought to be especially active at Beltane (as at Samhain)[2][3] and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease the sí. Beltaine was a "spring time festival of optimism" during which "fertility ritual again was important, perhaps connecting with the waxing power of the sun".[1]
Before the modern era

Beltane (the beginning of summer) and Samhain (the beginning of winter) are thought to have been the most important of the four Gaelic festivals. Sir James George Frazer wrote in The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion that the times of Beltane and Samhain are of little importance to European crop-growers, but of great importance to herdsmen. Thus, he suggests that halving the year at 1 May and 1 November dates from a time when the Celts were mainly a pastoral people, dependent on their herds.[5]

. . . .


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltane

[datasuspect]

1. i come from a time

where the burning of trees was a crime,

I lived by a sea where to be was a thing of true joy,

My people were fair and had sky in their hair,

But now they're content to wear stars on their brows.

[niyad]

2. is that yours? sad, but true.

[datasuspect]

5. marc bolan

tyrannosaurus rex was the name of his band back then.

[niyad]

6. not familiary with him, or the band, so thank you for sharing this

[datasuspect]

7. good stuff

but stupid video.

the song is original though

[Journeyman]

3. One of the "Songs from the Wood". . .

Beltane
Jethro Tull
Songs from the Wood

Have you ever stood in the april wood
And called the new year in?
While the phantoms of three thousand years fly
As the dead leaves spin?
There's a snap in the grass behind your feet
And a tap upon your shoulder.
And the thin wind crawls along your neck --
It's just the old gods getting older.
And the kestral drops like a fall of shot and
The red cloud hanging high --
Come -- a beltane.

Have you ever loved a lover of the old elastic truth?
And doted on the daughter in the ministry of youth?
Thrust your head between the breasts of the fertile innocent.
And taken up the cause of love, for the sake of argument.
Or while the kisses drop like a fall of shot
From soft lips in the rain --
Come -- a beltane.

Happy old new year to you and yours.
The sun's up for one more day, to be sure.
Play it out gladly, for your card's marked again.

Have you walked around your parks and towns so knife-edged orderly?
While the fires are burned on the hills upturned
In far-off wild country.
And felt the chill on your window sill
As the green man comes around.
With his walking cane of sweet hazel -- brings it crashing down.
Sends your knuckles white as the thin stick bites.
Well, it's just your groaning pains.
Come -- a beltane.

[niyad]

4. thank you for posting this

[lapislzi]

8. Let the Walpurgisnacht festivities commence!

I shall observe the lingam worship in private, at home. (My husband prefers it that way)

[niyad]

9. true, certain ritual acts of worship are probably better private.

[alterfurz]

10. as a (non-practicing) pantheist...

...I approve this message!

[niyad]

11. I love that bumper sticker--it annoys so many people here in fundieville

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Blessed be! :^D

[niyad]

13. blessed be