May 1st Wonder: The Beltane Festival 🌿

Описание: 🌸 Step into the ancient magic of Beltane! 🔥
Discover how people once celebrated the arrival of summer with flowers, sacred fires, and joyful dances.🌿
🌿 Let the spirit of nature guide you! 🌿
#Beltane #SpringCelebration #NatureFestival #FireFestival #CelticTraditions

🌿 Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival celebrated on May 1st 🌿, symbolising the beginning of summer and the awakening of nature. It has deep roots in the cultures of Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man, and is one of the four main seasonal festivals in the Celtic tradition, along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh.
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Major Beltane Traditions
Bonfires: The centrepiece of the festival were large bonfires, symbolising purification and protection. People and livestock would walk between two fires to be blessed and protected from illness and evil spirits.
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Flower decorations: Houses, doors and windows were decorated with yellow and white flowers such as primrose, hawthorn and yellow wattle to attract prosperity and ward off evil spirits. ​
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May Bush: In Ireland and Scotland, decorated branches or small trees decorated with ribbons, flowers and shells were erected as a symbol of fertility and prosperity.
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Visiting sacred wells: People visited sacred wells to pray for health and well-being, leaving offerings of coins or cloth.
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Beltane marks the transition from spring to summer, a time of growth, fertility and renewal. It was a time when cattle were driven out to summer pastures and rites were performed to protect crops and animals. The festival also involved mythical creatures, the aos sí (fairies), to whom offerings were made to secure their favour.
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Modern Celebrations
While Beltane traditions have faded over time, there has been a revival in recent decades:​
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Uisnech Hill Festival (Ireland): Since 2009, a festival has been held annually with a large bonfire lit to symbolise unity and hope.
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Edinburgh Fire Festival, Scotland: Since 1988, a theatrical performance featuring the May Queen and the Green Man, accompanied by fire shows and music, has been held on Calton Hill. ​
Neo-Pagan and Wiccan Rites: Modern followers of Neopaganism and Wicca celebrate Beltane as one of the eight festivals of the Wheel of the Year, focusing on themes of fertility, love and renewal.​
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🍽️ Traditional Foods
The Beltane feast included:​
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Bannock: Traditional oatcakes symbolizing abundance.​
Dairy: Milk and butter as symbols of fertility and well-being.​
Meat dishes: Roasted meat, especially lamb, as part of the festive meal.​
Honey and mead: Sweet drinks symbolizing the sweetness of life and the blessing of the gods.​
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Beltane is a festival of light, life and rebirth, combining ancient traditions and modern 🌿interpretations to celebrate the beginning of summer.​