BELTANE, BEALTAINE—THE CELTIC MAY DAY--Resources for teens

BELTANE, BEALTAINE—THE CELTIC MAY DAY

Eva Gordon

[This season’s column is addressed to middle-school and high-school aged Pagans. Parents are also welcome, as well.]

In Ireland and Scotland, May 1 has traditionally been the beginning of summer. Beltane is one of the great seasonal pagan festivals, or Fire Festivals.

In Gaelic, Bealtaine is pronounced “Bee-OWL-tinna,” and refers to the whole month of May in Irish. There is a controversy about the source meaning of the name Bealtaine. Some have translated this to mean “Beall-teine” or “Bel’s fire,” referring to Belenos (a Continental Celtic god connected with Apollo), or even Baal, a Middle Eastern deity (!). More likely, the name comes from the word beal (mouth), or bealach (opening), signifying the opening, or beginning of summer. In Scottish Gaelic, May Day is called “Latha Buidhe Bealtainne” (LAW Boo-ya Bee-OWL-tinna), the Golden (lucky) Day of May.

Like Samhain, Bealtaine is a special time in which the veil between this world and the Otherworld is at its thinnest. It is a time between the seasons, between the worlds. The Tuatha Dé Danann (“TOO-a-ha Jay DAN-non”--our Shining Ones) arrived in Ireland on the eve of Bealtaine, many centuries ago, bringing skill, magic and crafts.

Even after the coming of Christianity, many folk traditions have persisted. On Beltane eve, all fires in the hearths of the community would be extinguished, and re-lit from a “need-fire,” kindled by nine men. Cattle would be driven between two bonfires for purification and protection before being taken up to the high pastures for summer grazing. Farmers in Scotland would circle the boundaries of their fields with torches, to ward off the wolf and the crow. Offerings of milk are left outside for the Fair Folk.

In Western Ireland, there has been a custom of staging a mock battle between Spring and Winter, where, of course, Spring wins every time! Young people there would make a parade around the villages with birch, rowan, or hawthorn branches, and a large doll dressed in ribbons (the “May Baby”), singing May songs. Branches of hawthorn and birch would be placed above the doors for protection against misfortune.

By now, you will be asking, “But what about the Maypole?” This is not a Celtic tradition at all! Dancing around the Maypole is a more recent custom, probably coming from England in the middle ages.

Things to do at Bealtaine

· Read about the coming of the Tuatha Dé to Ireland and the First Battle of Moytura , or about Spring customs in Celtic lands

· Spend time outdoors at a local park: have a picnic or hike with family and friends.

· Become acquainted with local Land Spirits—spend quiet time outdoors in the park or yard, observing trees, birds, animals, changes of the season.

· Take part in a river or park clean-up campaign in your community

· Decorate your doorway with flower garlands, or make a May wreath (materials available at craft stores).

· Learn a Bealtaine song. One of these songs, from Ireland, “Thugamar Féin an Samhradh Linn” (HOO-ga-mar FAYN an SOW-ra leen) –“We have Brought the Summer with Us” or “Summer, Summer”--is recorded on the CD by Máire Ní Chathasaigh below. For an English version of this song, see Ruth Barret and Cyntia Smith’s CD below.)

Suggested Reading/References:

Peter Beresford Ellis, Celtic Myths and Legends, Carroll & Graf Publishers, New York, 1999.

John Gregorson Campbell, The Gaelic Otherworld. Edited by Ronald Black, Birlinn Limited, Edinburgh, 2005.

James Mc Killop, Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1998.

Máire Ní Chathasaigh, CD Live in the Highlands. Available at www.oldbridgemusic.com. See liner notes for her comments on Bealtaine customs.

Ruth Barrett and Cyntia Smith, CD The Heart is the Only Nation,www.aeolusmusic.com.

Also see my article in the Samhain edition of The Hill Fire for further reading suggestions.