Beltane Research Paper

Beltane, or also known as Beltaine, May Day, may Eve and Celtic Summer, is celebrated on May 1st in the Northern Hemisphere and October 31st in the Southern Hemisphere. To the Celtics, this is one of the two greatest festivals, the other being Samhain. Beltane is a fertility festival and also a fire festival. The original Celtic meaning is “Bel-Fire” which has been traced back to the middle eastern god “Baal” which means lord. So Beltane is a celebration of the God of light or fire and also a celebration of the Goddess's fertility. In Ireland they would light the fires of Beltane on top of a hill to celebrate the return of light and the fertility of the world. No one could light the fire until the High King has lit the first fire. But, in 433 AD, St. Patrick lit a bonfire before the high King did. Doing this, St. Patrick mad a claim to usurpation of spiritual leadership over the whole island. Once custom is jumping over the bonfire. Young people did this to bring a husband or a wife to them, travelers would jump the fire for hopes of a safe journey, and pregnant women would jump the fire in hopes of an easy delivery, but there are so many other reasons to jump the fire. Cattle were also driven between two fires or walked over the remaining ashes to ensure
The colors of Beltane, that would also be on the May Pole as colored ribbons would be Red, Green, White and Dark Yellow. Symbols of Beltane are Eggs, Flowers, the Chalice, the May Pole, The butter churn and the May Baskets. Activities to do on Beltane are obviously dancing the May Pole, and reenacting the Great Right either physically of symbolically. Animals that are associated with Beltane are Goats, Rabbits and Honey Bees. Stones of Beltane are Sapphires and Bloodstones. Plants for this Sabbat are Primrose, Cowslip, Hawthorn, Rose, Birth, Rosemary and Lilac. Food to eat on Beltane are any dairy things, vanilla ice cream and any thing with