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Beltane - May 1 |
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| Written by Steven Day on
9/8/2005Beltane marks the second half of the Celtic Year. This is one of the two most important Sabbats of the year. Beltane is opposite Samhain and also marks the time when the veil between the Otherworld and this are thinnest. Instead of our ancestors passing over to our world however we can travel to their world. Beltane is celebrated as an early agricultural festival when the herds were turned out to the fields; rituals were performed; such as driving the herds between the beltane fires to drive away ills and to promote fertility. Contact with the fire was thought to represent contact with the sun and people would also be seen jumping over the fires as well to promote their own fertility and prosperity. Beltane was a time of participating in fun and games; Beltane games were played to display a warriors skills in friendly competition against their friends. They would often hold archery games and have feasts and story telling; this was a chance for people to get together and enjoy each others company. This Sabbat is considered as the time when the God and Goddess come together to add new life to the land and to encourage harvests to grow faster. As the summer months approach the earth is becoming warmer the plants are starting to grow and the general atmosphere that surrounds us is more joyous and playful. Beltane is a time for sexuality and passion; young adults would often spend the entire Beltane night out with the mate of their choice and then dance around the "phallic" may pole the following morning. May morning was a magickal time for collecting "wild" dew from the flowing streams and springs or the mornings dew and bathing in it to bring beauty and to drink for health. The Maypole is a very important symbol of Beltane; the tall pole is decorated with many brightly colored ribbons, leaves, flowers and ribbons. Young men and women would gather the ribbons and dance about the pole interlacing each of the ribbons. This ritual was thought to promote an abundant harvest that season as it would encourage fertility and growth of the earth. Colors that are associated with Beltane include green, yellow, light pinks and soft or sky blues. Lilac, frankincense, rose and honeysuckle are all appropriate scents of the season as well as are the presence of any flowers of the season which could be gathered and placed throughout your home. Foods of the day would be fresh fruit, green salads, berries, oatmeal cakes and dairy products and of course fruit wines.
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