“They fed the fire from great bundles of sacred wood brought to the knoll on Beltane Eve. When the sacred fire became kindled, the people rushed him and brought their herds and drove them through and round the fire of purification.”
Alexander Carmichael, Carmina Gadelica, 1900
Cover art by Joseph Tomanek
April 30th – May 1st (astronomical date varies)
The word Bealtaine (Irish) and Bealtainn or Beltane (both Scottish) is pronounced bay-ul-tin-uh in Gaeilge and similarly in Scots Gaelic. The name means “bright fire”. It was sometimes referenced in Irish sources as ‘Cétshamhain,’ ‘first of summer’ of which there are Scots Gaelic and Welsh equivalents. Bealtaine or May Eve. marks the beginning of summer and the lighter half of the year. Cattle were driven out to pastures and rituals were performed to protect cattle, crops, people and to encourage continued health.
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Isla Skye
Isla Skye is an American Celtic scholar, a mother of 3, elementary teacher for 21 years as well as an author and herbalist that splits her time between the States and Ireland. She has studied the druids and related practices for over 20 years. She is a published author of children’s books as well as other folkloric literature and is currently working through an M.A. in Celtic Studies. Her hobbies are family time, camping, hiking, reading, writing and research.
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