Beltyne

Beltaine opened the light season and was associated with the ignition of the sacrificial fire.Beltaine marked the beginning of summer. The period from Beltine to Samhain was called an ghiran mor, "the great sun," and the period from Samhain to Beltine was called an ghiran beag, "the little sun."

Beltayne ("Fire of the god Bel") opened the bright season and was associated with the ignition of the sacrificial fire and the corresponding offerings to the great god of the Sun - Bright Dagda, in the person of the Father of Fire. Initially, this holiday fell on the full moon of the second month after the vernal equinox (approximately 7-9 May). According to Irish tradition, the conquests of Ireland usually occurred on the seventeenth day of the moon during the May Calends, that is, on the Beltine.

In Beltine, cattle were released from the barns so that they could finally taste fresh spring grass. Herds and flocks were driven between the two fires to clear them of any diseases that might have developed during the long confinement. If the animals died during the winter from any disease, it was necessary to throw a small calf into the fire. A sheep (or ram) was sacrificed in a field on the Beltine in order to ensure good luck for themselves and others during the coming year. The victim used to be burned whole, but now they are eaten.

Like the rest of the fiery festivals of Ireland, it is a feast of fertility, the wedding of the Sun god (Bright Dagda) with the Great Goddess (in this case Boann). The fruit of this union was the eternally young Angus McOc. The symbol of the World Tree was used to strengthen the connection between the fertilizing Heaven - "up" - and the fertilized Earth - "down". This tree is called the “Dawn Tree”. The most traditional May tree is the spruce, which has cut down all branches except the uppermost. As a rule, the May tree was cut down by young men on the eve of the first day of May and installed in the village square; on May Day, dances were arranged around this tree. Then, when the May tree is erected, the lights of Beltana are lit and the celebration begins. The sacred marriage could be symbolically designated in this way: a wreath of flowers was put on the top of the May tree. As the ribbons tightened and wrapped around the tree, the wreath slowly descended, so that the tree - the symbol of the overlord - slowly passed through the flower wreath - the symbol of the mistress.