| Bealtaine | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Also called | Lá Bealtaine (Irish) Latha Bealltainn (Scottish Gaelic) Laa Boaltinn/Boaldyn (Manx)[1] Beltain; Beltine; Beltany[2][3] |
| Observed by | Historically: Gaels Today: Irish people, Scottish people, Manx people, Modern Pagans |
| Type | Cultural, Pagan (Celtic neopaganism, Wicca) |
| Significance | Beginning of summer |
| Celebrations | lighting bonfires, decorating homes with May flowers, making May bushes, visiting holy wells, feasting |
| Date | 1 May[4] (or 1 November for Neopagans in the Southern Hemisphere) |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | May Day, Calan Mai, Walpurgis Night |
Bealtaine (anglicised as 'Beltane') (/ˈbɛl.teɪn/; Irish pronunciation: [ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠəʲnə], approximately /ˈb(j)ɒltɪnə/ B(Y)OL-tin-ə)[5][6] is the Gaelic May Day festival, marking the beginning of summer. It is traditionally held on 1 May, or about midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Historically, it was widely observed in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. In Ireland, the name for the festival in both Irish and English is Bealtaine ([l̪ˠaː ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠənʲə]). In Scottish Gaelic it is called Latha Bealltainn ([l̪ˠaː ˈpjaul̪ˠt̪ɪɲ]), and in Manx Gaelic Laa Boaltinn/Boaldyn. Beltane is one of the four main Gaelic seasonal festivals—along with Samhain, Imbolc, and Lughnasadh—and is similar to the Welsh Calan Mai.
Beltane is mentioned in the earliest Irish literature and is associated with important events in Irish mythology. Also known as Cétshamhain ('first of summer'), it marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect cattle, people and crops, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, whose flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around or between bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí. Doors, windows, byres and livestock would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush: typically a thorn bush or branch decorated with flowers, ribbons, bright shells and rushlights. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness. Many of these customs were part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in parts of Great Britain and Europe.
Public celebrations of Beltane fell out of popularity by the 20th century, though some customs continue to be revived as local cultural events. Since the late 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed a festival based on Beltane as a religious holiday. Neopagans in the southern hemisphere may mark the festival on 1 November.
- ^ Celtic myths and legends by Charles Squire ISBN 1-84204-015-4
- ^ "Beltane – The Fire Festival". Newgrange. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ Chadwick, Nora (1970) The Celts London, Penguin. ISBN 0-14-021211-6 p. 181
- ^ "Origins of Bealtaine festival". Irish Independent. 24 April 2013. Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
- ^ "Beltane". Dictionary.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ "Foclóir Gaeilge–Béarla (Ó Dónaill): Bealtaine". www.teanglann.ie. Retrieved 15 August 2024.