Happy Walpurgisnacht 2016!
- Thread starter Terra_Inc
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Happy Beltane
Beltane is one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals: Samhain (~1 November), Imbolc (~1 February), Beltane (~1 May) and Lughnasadh (~1 August). Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures.
Rituals were held at that time to protect them from harm, both natural and supernatural, and this mainly involved the "symbolic use of fire".
There were also rituals to protect crops, dairy products and people, and to encourage growth.
The aos sí (often referred to as spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane (as at Samhain) and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease them.
Beltaine was a "spring time festival of optimism" during which "fertility ritual again was important, perhaps connecting with the waxing power of the sun"
Beltane is one of four Gaelic seasonal festivals: Samhain (~1 November), Imbolc (~1 February), Beltane (~1 May) and Lughnasadh (~1 August). Beltane marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season, when livestock were driven out to the summer pastures.
Rituals were held at that time to protect them from harm, both natural and supernatural, and this mainly involved the "symbolic use of fire".
There were also rituals to protect crops, dairy products and people, and to encourage growth.
The aos sí (often referred to as spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane (as at Samhain) and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease them.
Beltaine was a "spring time festival of optimism" during which "fertility ritual again was important, perhaps connecting with the waxing power of the sun"