BELTAINE (May 1) - ‘Bel’s fire’ pronounced BEL-tain-yuh. The festival was known by other names in other Celtic countries. Beltaine in Ireland, Bealtunn in Scotland, Shenn do Boaldyn on the Isle of Mann, and Galan Mae in Wales This is one of the fire festivals celebrated. Spring is here and celebrations are given for the return of the Sun. This is the beginning of the Summer half of the year. The Celtic festival of Beltaine is the time when the cattle were put out for summer grazing on the higher slopes. The sacred fire brought protection, good fortune and fertility to the people. It was hard work planting the fields and once done, it was a time to come together and celebrate the sun. It is a day representing fertility and the joys of life. Dances and games often find their way into this holiday’s celebrations. (Generally, there would be a lot of births nine months later!)

There are numerous folk customs that take place at this time of year. In 1895 a public Beltaine festival was held on Arran. The men made a need-fire (tein-eigen) and kept it burning Beltaine eve. Local people drove their herds through the fire. This was believed to provide good luck for the cattle and protect them from disease. In Scotland, every fire in the household was extinguished, and the great fires were lit from the need-fire which was kindled by 3 times 3 men using wood from the nine sacred trees. When the wood burst into flames, it proclaimed the triumph of the light over the dark half of the year. The Beltaine fires and Celtic went on all over the Highlands. Some traditions kept the fires going for three days. The dew of Beltaine at dawn was considered sacred and to be sprinkled with this dew would ensure health, happiness and often beauty. One tradition involved making a rope of the cow’s tails and running it through the dew laden grass to ensure a good milk supply.

Along with the Beltaine fires, a cake called ‘bannock‘ was made. This cake was made and kneaded by hand, with no part touching metal. This is one traditional food served at Beltaine.

The fair maid who, the first of May,
Goes to the fields at break of day
& washes in dew from the hawthorn tree,
Will ever after handsome be.
- English folk rhyme

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