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Subject:  Re: Another Celtic Sabbat is here...Beltane/May Day |
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Author: Anonymous |
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Date Posted: 21:43:25 05/01/11 Sun >The wheel of the year has turned once again and >another Pagan festival is here upon us, Beltane. Also >known as May Day, May Eve, Bealtaine(Irish Gaelic), >Bealtuinn(Scottish Gaelic), Roodmas, and Calinmia just >to name a few. > >Beltane / May Day is one of oldest Pagan Holidays >celebreated besides Samhain which is over 6,000 years >old. These are the two greatest Fire festivals still >celebrated around the world today. Beltane is >celebrated on the sundown of April 30th through >sundown of May 1st(Celtics always figure their days by >sundown to sundown) OR when the Sun is at 15 degrees >Taurus. Depending on calendrical changes and on ones >teaching and or what coven they are in, May Day can be >celebrated anywhere from May 1st to May 5th. > >This special Sabbat is the celebration of the >beginning of Summer, celebration of the Sun God and >the Earth Goddess, the return of the Green man, life >and fertility, protection and blessings of animals, >fields, and gardens, purification, good fortune, >health, beauty, and love. > >The danced May Pole is the representation of the God >and Goddees and their unity. The pole signifies the >God while the ribbons of rainbow colors signify the >Goddess. When girls and boys dance around the may pole >weaving the colorful ribbons in a pattern.. there is a >tradition that depending on the pattern...it is a fore >sight of what the Summer will bring. > >Preparing May baskets by filling it with fresh flowers >and giving them secretly away to people for prosperity >and health. Women and girls decorate their hair by >putting in beautiful flowers and ribbons. Wreaths are >made and hung on doors or can also be given away just >like the baskets. Homes are decorated to welcome the >up coming Summer season. > >Bonfires are put together at Sundown by collecting 9 >scared types of wood and lighting it by using a flint. >Sundown is also a proper time for Druids to kindle the >great Belfires on the nearset beacon hill. Offerings >to the bonfire of milk, eggs, and bread were thrown in >the flames in hopes of a good growing season. Skyclad >witches would dance and jump over small bonfires to >ensure protection and also gain good luck.* Fire is a >purification Element* Also jumping over a lit candle >works the same way. Torches lit from the Beltain Fire >were taken home to light the new fires of the year. >Cattle and other livestock would be driven between two >bonfires and then taken to their Summer pasture, this >is to ensure fertility and purification. > >Another tradition is females washing their face in >pre-dawn May Day dew for health, luck, and beauty. >Also May Dew caught in a cup and sprinkled about the >home ensures health, happiness, and good fortune. >Getting your head and hair wet in Beltane rain to >bless the head. * Water is another purifying Element* > >And just like any other Sabbat, meals, drinks , and >treats are cooked/baked for this celebration and >children are able to help out with planning and having >fun during this festival. Because not only will they >learn about history kids will also learn about >agriculture, home ec, art, respect for Mother nature >and the Elements, cycle of the year/Sabbats, and many >other subjects not mentioned. > > >Have a wonderful Beltane. > >Blessed Be, >Autumn Silver Sky [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |