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Beltane is the name in modern Irish for the month
of May. It is also the traditional
first day of summer in Ireland.
Like Candlemas, Lammas and
Halloween, May Day is one of the corner days
which fall between the solar festivals of the year (the equinoxes and
solstices). The ancient Celts called
this holiday Beltane and began celebrating at sunset on April 30th. It
marked the beginning of summer, time to move with the flocks up to the
summer pastures.
Choosing a May Queen and King
used to be part of celebrating May Day. A young girl dressed in white
represented the Goddess in her maiden aspect.
Like Halloween, this is a
night when witches, fairies and ghosts wander freely. The veil between the
worlds is thin. The Queen of the Fairies rides out on a snow-white horse,
looking for mortals to lure away to Fairyland for seven years. Folklore
says that if you sit beneath a tree on this night, you will see Her or
hear the sound of Her horse's bells as She rides by. If you hide your
face, She will pass you by but if you look at Her, She may choose you.
Source:
SchoolOfTheSeasons.com
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