May Eve — Beltane's Door

May Eve — Beltane's Door is a Celtic festival. The eve of Beltane — one of the great fire festivals and the opening of summer in the Celtic year. The liminal threshold of the year is most permeable now. Cattle were driven between two sacred fires for purification. The great union of the god and goddess was mystically enacted. Whatever you wish to call into the summer half of your year must be declared tonight.

The eve of Beltane — one of the great fire festivals and the opening of summer in the Celtic year. The liminal threshold of the year is most permeable now. Cattle were driven between two sacred fires for purification. The great union of the god and goddess was mystically enacted. Whatever you wish to call into the summer half of your year must be declared tonight.

Here is how to celebrate May Eve — Beltane's Door: - Light a bonfire or candles at sunset — the great fire that purifies - Write what you want to bring into your summer half-year and burn it in the flame - Offerings: flowers (hawthorn/may blossom), mead, red and gold candles - Dance around the fire (even symbolically) — Beltane is not solemn but joyful

The deities honored at May Eve — Beltane's Door are: The Dagda and The Morrigan. Both appear in the lore of Beltane as powers of life, sovereignty, and the sacred fires. The Dagda is the father-figure of the Tuatha Dé Danann, and the Morrigan is the sovereignty goddess present at all great threshold moments of the year.

The spiritual theme of May Eve — Beltane's Door: The door of summer opens — what do you walk through it carrying?. Reflection prompts: What are you calling into your life for the bright half of the year? What needs to be purified — passed between the fires — before summer begins?

Historical sources for May Eve — Beltane's Door include: Sanas Cormaic (Cormac's Glossary, 10th cent.) — Beltane etymology; Cath Maige Tuired — Dagda and Morrigan's union; Togail Bruidne Dá Derga — Beltane customs.