Blessed Beltane to You and Yours

Blessed Beltane to You and Yours!! Yes, I know I am late! May 1st was Saturaday and I missed posting this so thought I would do so this morning. However we did celebrate Belatane on Saturaday slong with the 136th running of the Kentucky Derby! But back to Beltane...

Beltane (also known as Bealtaine or Bealltainn), is an ancient Gaelic holiday celebrated around May 1st. The word Beltane means “Fire in the sky.” Beltane, and its counterpart Samhain, divides the year into its two primary seasons: winter (Dark Part) and summer (Light Part). As Samhain is about honoring Death, Beltane, its counterpart, is about honoring Life. It is the time when the sun is fully released from his bondage of winter and able to rule over summer and life once again.

Beltane, like Samhain (which is at Holloween), is a time of “no time” when the veils between the two worlds are at their thinnest; when the two worlds intermingle and unite and the magic abounds! It is the time when the Faeries return from their winter respite, carefree and full of faery mischief and faery delight. On the night before Beltane, folks would place rowan branches at their windows and doors for protection; as many otherworldly occurrences could transpire during this time of “no time.” Traditionally, the youngest member of the family would be sent out to gather primroses on the eve before Beltane and throw the flowers at the door of the home for protection.

Somewhat less mythical, Beltane marks the midpoint in the Sun’s progress between the vernal equinox and summer solstice, which is traditionally considered to be May 1st. Traditionally, Beltane festivities marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season when the herds of livestock were driven out to summer pastures and mountain grazing lands. These festivities began days before May 1st, or “May Day,” when villagers traveled into the woods to gather the nine sacred woods needed to build the Beltane bonfires. The tradition of “May Boughing” or “May Birching” involved young men fastening garlands of greens and flowers on the windows and doors of their prospective ladyloves before the fires are lit Beltane night.

So there you have a bit of Pagan history passed over from the Celtic regions of Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.



P.S. I did pick two winning horses for the Derby, but bet them as "show" and not "win" ... my total winnings about $25 bucks! Should I have put #4 as a win ... as my gutt told me the $ would have been a hint sweeter! There is always next year!