form the Celtic Custom book.... CELTIC. To the Celts the winter sun Grianon reigned from sunset on 31st October (Samhain or Samhuinn) to sunrise on 1st May (Beltane or Bel), and today his daughter Cailleach Bheur (Scots Gaelic) or Cally Berry (Ulster) or Caillagh ny Groamagh (Manx - The old Woman of Gloominess), the goddess of winter, turns to stone. The two great fire festivals of the Celts, Samhain and Beltane, in honour of the sun, are thus six months apart. Beltane may derive its name from the Celtic pastoral god Belenos, or it may be derived from the old Celtic for 'bright fire'. Certainly it has nothing to do with the Canaanite god Baal. At fire festivals the forces of nature were propitiated to ensure fertility, which meant sacrifice. This was originally human, but later were propritiated to ensure fertility, which meant sacrifice. This was originally human, but later animals and finally food were offered. People danced sunwise round the fires. Purification, often with the smoke from fires, of family, house, animals, animal houses and fields was done to protect from malevolence or mishap. Animals were driven through the fire or hoops of rowan, and pitchforks of blazing material carried round fields. The baking of oatcakes and their use in choosing someone to leap through the bonfire flames was a common feature, perhaps originally a scapegoat or sacrificial victim. Ash and charred brands remaining were regarded as fertile and protective. House fires were put out and rekindled from a burning faggot from the bonfire. At Samhain the animals were brought in for the winter and the crops harvested. Beltane fell when livestock were taken to their summer pasture and the planting of seeds had finished. The journey was called the Flitting, and ended with a feast of lamb. Walpurgis Night is an important witches' festival. Malevolent fairies were abroad and people protected their houses with crosses made from rowan wood and with elder leaves. The latter also healed wounds. Talismans were used as protectors, examples being crosses or other objects made from rowan or iron, yellow flowers, salt and holy water. The period from sunset today to sunrise on 1st May was the most feared in terms of the actions of faeries, witches and supernatural forces. This became the most unlucky day of the year to be born on. As befits a day signifying a change of season and pattern of life, divination customs were widely practised. Snails were commonly used in divination today. In later times, in areas of English population or influence, the Celtic customs were gradually replaced by those of the English May festivities. This was particularly the case in Cornwall, south Dyfed, the Welsh Marches, and south and east Scotland. Houses were decorated with branches of rowan, birch, sycamore or more rarely may (hawthorn). This was called 'Bring in the May'. Blackthorn was regarded as unlucky and was not touched. Certainly both traditions had always involved bringing in greenery and flowers of some kind. -- Pat Connors, Sacramento CA http://www.connorsgenealogy.com Professional Genealogy Research All outgoing mail virus free, scanned by Norton 2002