Happy Bealtaine, the 1st Day of Summer in the Celtic Calendar.

The Celtic Festival of Bealtaine, also spelt as Beltane, Beltain, Beltainne and Beltaine is a Cross Quarter Day.

This means,  that it is half way between the Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice.

Of course, as nothing is static in the Universe,  the actual astronomical date is a number of days later.

  This year, 2013, the date when the cross-quarter day falls is May 5th.

In Irish mythology, the beginning of the summer season started with the Fire Festival at Bealtaine.

Great bonfires were held which would herald in the season in the hope of a good harvest later in the year.

The bonfires would be accompanied with rituals of cleansing and protection.

A small branch of the Rowan tree was hung over the door to protect from fire and ill health.

I made a short video this morning to share the sights and sounds of this special day, the first day of Summer, with you…