Beltane

Beltane, also Beltene, Beltaine, Bhealltainn or Bealtaine (Irish [' beltane ] ), is in the Irish Calendar the beginning of summer. The festival is also called Cétsamuin ( "the first Summer " welsh Cyntefin ), this name was referring to the beginning of the summer season. Beltane is celebrated on the eve of starting on the night and on May 1. Another kymrische name is Mei nos Calan Calan Haf nos

Beltane is together with Imbolc (February 1 ), Lughnasadh (August 1 ) and Samhain (November 1 ) one of the four great Irish, incurred by certain country work parties.

Bealtaine is the name of the month of May in today's Irish.

Mythology

The etymology of the word Beltane is not clear, it could be derived from bel ( " bright fire "). A connection with the deities Beli Mawr and Belenus, or with Bile, father Mileds is adopted. On this day, until the last century all the hearth fires were deleted, and then with the help of a flint re- ignited ( Scottish Gaelic protein eigin, " Emergency Fire "). This is reminiscent of the landing of the Tuatha Dé Danann in Ireland and the burning of their ships. Likewise, should have landed on May 1, Partholon, and later the Milesians. The Glossary Sana Cormaic ( " Cormac whisper " ) of the bishop Cormac is reported that Beltane the cattle was driven under the supervision of Druids between two fires, in order to prevent diseases. The main fire was lit in the center of Ireland, when Oenach hard in Uisnech and recalls Partholons first fire pit on the island. On this day, as well as on the other three major festivals Imbolc, Samhain Lugnasad and the inhabitants of the Elf Hill ( Sidhe ) are seen for the people of the upper world. Beltaine was originally not only the Spring Festival, but also the beginning of the Celtic year.

The Beltanefeierlichkeiten for spring show some analogies to today's traditions as the " Dance into May " at the Easter fire. The traditional Maypole here has probably its origin because the Celts decorated Beltane the houses and stables with fresh green and celebrated with maypole, May fief and Queen of the May (up to the present time in Tralee to see ). This still practiced today choosing the May Queen is a last reminder of the worship of a goddess who gave the land fertility policy. In the Arthurian tradition these celebrations, great importance is also attached.

Neopaganism

In Neo-Paganism Beltane or Beltaine is the name for one of the eight annual festivals will be used. Although the holiday of some features (such as the bonfire ) served the Gaelic Beltane, he is both in terms of importance ( emphasis on fertility ) and the rituals closer to the May celebrations (eg dance around the maypole ) related that on Germanic traditions based. Some Pagans celebrate Beltane in which they perform the act between the Lord and the Lady of the Mai. Gerald Gardner, one of the main initiators of the Wicca, refers to the term " eve of Mai" on Beltane.

The festival was revived in later times of neo-pagans and reinterpreted, including as a mystical union of "God" and "Goddess ", the beginning of growth in nature, increase the power of fairies and elves, time of chaos, " wild energy " of love and union.

On the Calton Hill in Edinburgh Beltane is celebrated since 1988 in the ancient Celtic tradition. It is organized by the Beltane Fire Society and visited annually by up to 15,000 people. Also in Germany Beltane is of pagan groups eg celebrated at the Extern Stones.

Many neo-pagans celebrate Beltane (along with the festivals Imbolc ( full moon of the 2nd Moon), Lughnasadh ( Black Moon of the 8th moon ) and Samhain ( Black moon of the 11th lunar ) ) not according to the solar calendar, but the lunar calendar. Then Beltane falls on May 1, but on the full moon of the fifth moon (5th full moon after Yule ).

Musical implementation

In music, including the Metal scene ( especially when Pagan Metal, Folk Metal and Black Metal ) and the Celtic and Pagan Folk, Celtic year cycle plays a special role. Bands from the Black Metal scene sing this part in their lyrics. A successful Czech black metal band called Beltaine. The Pagan Folk Omnia Group addressed this issue in her song " Tine Bealtaine ". The Central Franconian Pagan Metal band " Thy Wicked", which is mainly specialized texts of Norse mythology brought, on their debut album is also a song out called " Beltane ". The Canadian singer Loreena McKennitt Celtic origin contributes with the song " Huron Beltane Fire Dance" appeared in 1989 on Parallel Dreams as background music. Ian Anderson, the lyrical and musical mastermind of the band " Jethro Tull ", also describes the " Beltane ", published in 2003 as a bonus track on the remastered version of the 1977 released album " Songs From The Wood".