May Day and the Celtic Fire Festival of Spring Beltane are ancient traditions that celebrate the coming of the Light, new growth and seasonal beginnings. Not only did people joyfully dance around the May Pole, but couples jumped the fire as part of spring mating rituals.
Read MoreI have lovely memories of my dad and I walking through nearby woods to gather the first flowers of spring. Then my mom and I would make construction paper baskets so I could deliver May Day bouquets to neighbors and loved ones.
But we had nothing like a Beltane festival. Writing about Beltane is a bit like writing about Christmas; the holiday has so many different traditions and its celebrations have many layers of meaning. And, like Americans celebrating Memorial day, for some it has great meaning, for others, it is just a picnic in the park.
I had never seen a bonfire built so elaborately. The huge mound of were for wooden doors, one in each direction, each with a beautifully painted animal representing that direction. While the fire was awesome, as soon as the painted creatures caught flame, there was a gasp from the crowd and a tear came to my eye- a tear not of sadness but of appreciation, appreciation for the seasons of our lives.
Read MoreThe thrill of seeing the first flower of the season pop up is at the heart of the Celtic Festival of Imbolc: that time midway between winter solstice and spring equinox. Thus, the snowdrop is its symbol and green and white are its colors. Here is the US, it is Groundhog Day. But to the Celtic people it was lambing time. Since the Goddess Brigid was responsible for birthing, she was celebrated on this day which later also became known as St. Brigid’s Day..
Read MoreLearning to ignite or create fire was one of the earliest of skills of developing civilizations. All indigenous peoples have stories of how it was discovered.
Fire brought warm, light and the ability to cook food, forge metal and transmute the other basic elements in a way that seemed magical. Ceremonies were often built around fire.
I invite you to light a candle and spend a few minutes bringing awareness of the element of Fire into your field. Allow all its aspects to speak to you. See, feel and hear what comes to you from the flame.
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