Beltane is the Gaelic May Day festival. It is usually held on April 3oth and March 1st, halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Beltane marked the beginning of summer and was when the castle were driving out to the summer pastures. To protect the castle, crops, people, and to encourage growth, rituals were performed. Windows, Doors, and the castle themselves would be decorated with yellow may flowers. Special bonfires were kindled and their flames, smoke and ashes were said to have protective powers. In some parts of Ireland, people would crate may bush; a bush decorated with flowers , ribbons, and bright shells (Wikipedia, 2013)).
RSS Feed