http://dragonswood.org.uk/ Dragonswood - A Place for ALL pagans en-us Sat, 01 May 2010 06:00:51 GMT 1440 CPG-Nuke Dragonfly Dragonswood - Welcome to the Wood News http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/rss.html http://dragonswood.org.uk/images/header2.png http://dragonswood.org.uk/ http://dragonswood.org.uk/News/article/sid=39.html Beltane, one of the four great festivals of the Celtic year marks the beginning of summer. The old Celtic name of Beltane is derived from the Irish Gaelic 'Bealtaine' or the Scottish Gaelic 'Bealtuinn', meaning Bel-fire, the fire of the Celtic God of Light (Bel, Beli, or Belinus). Other names for May Day include Cetsamhain (opposite Samhain). Beltane celebrations were principally a time of sexuality and fertility, and we see this in the phallic symbolism of the Maypole - which in itself has it's origins in the Hindu lingham, the symbol of life. In England and Scotland, branches of Rowan were fastened onto houses and cattle stalls to keep away witches on Beltane Eve. In Ireland, Beltane Eve is an evening of danger and mischief and in Wales it is believed that it is unlucky to carry any metal on this day. It was also the custom in Wales for a bonfire to be ignited which had been made from nine types of wood laid crosswise within a circle on the ground. Sadly long gone are the days when the common practice of young men and women going into the woods to gather May blossoms on the eve of May Day seem to be over but now is the time to see the Great Mother at work as she decorates the trees and flowers in their summer flowers so enjoy this fertile time! Beltane Blessings to One and All! Sat, 01 May 2010 06:00:51 GMT