As the Celtic Wheel continues to turn, we find ourselves at Bealtaine, which marks the beginning of summer.
Brighter days
At this time of year, we notice more light creeping into our day. The sun seems to shine more strongly, it's higher in the sky, and the days are longer. We might even feel like we have a little more energy and need less sleep. Energy is starting to increase now, with nature preparing itself for that burst of life and colour at the Summer Solstice.
The rest we had during the darker months, followed by our slow and mindful emergence at Spring, have prepared us for this escalation of chaos, fun and abundance we so often associate with the summer months.
Ancient rituals
Bealtaine is one of four fire festivals in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, the others being Lughnasa, Samhain and Imbolc. It translates as "Béal tine"; "the mouth of the fire" or "Beal tine"; "the bright fire". Bealtaine, in ancient times, was mainly celebrated at the Hill of Uisneach, where people would gather to set intentions and appease the gods for the summer season ahead. It is still celebrated at Uisneach today.
Summer, essentially, is the season where we see a surge in growth and ancient people would always hope for a healthy and prosperous growing season. This would mean a good harvest at Lughnasa and then a plentiful Winter.
At Bealtaine, two fires were lit side-by-side and livestock were often walked through them to protect them for the season ahead, as the Sídhe, or fairy folk, are said to be very active this time of year (as well as at Samhain) and they would cause all sorts of mischief.
Ériú: The Bealtaine Goddess
Éirú is celebrated every year at the Hill of Uisneach. Ériú (where the Irish name for Ireland, Éire, comes from), along with her sisters, Fodla and Banba, are known as the Goddesses of Sovereignty.
These Goddesses belonged to the first race of people thought to have colonised Ireland, a semi-mythical race called Tuatha dé Dannan, who were eventually defeated by the Milesean race and driven underground into the spiritual realm, or Otherworld, and became known as the Sídhe.
Éirú can help us discover our own sovereignty, our values and our confidence.
Tree Wisdom
At this time of year, we can look to the Hawthorn (or Huath in Irish) for inspiration and strength. Hawthorn trees are extremely sacred and revered; they are believed to be portals into the Otherworld, where the Good People also known as the Sídhe, live. They are often found near wells with rags hung on them, as people hang the rags with intentions or wishes after dipping them in the well, in the hope that the fairy folk or a beloved saint might help them with their troubles.
It was common to hang a sprig of Hawthorn over your doorway, only on the outside of the house, to ward off the Sídhe who would be up to mischief this time of year. It was bad luck, though, to bring it indoors!
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