Beltan

Also called

(Lá) Bealtaine (Irish)

 (Là) Bealltainn (Scottish Gaelic)

 (Laa) Boaltinn/Boaldyn (Manx)

Observed by

Historically: Gaels

 Today: Irish people, Scottish people, Manx people, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans

Type

Cultural,

 Pagan (Celtic polytheism, Celtic Neopaganism, Wicca)

Significance

beginning of summer

Date

Sunset 30 April – sunset 1 May (N. Hemisphere)

 Sunset 31 October – sunset 1 November (S. Hemisphere)

Celebrations

lighting bonfires, decorating homes with May flowers, making 'May Bushes', visiting holy wells, feasting

Related to

May Day, Calan Mai, Walpurgis Night

Beltane or Beltain (pron.: /ˈbɛlteɪn/) (also Beltine or Beltaine)[1] is the Gaelic May Day festival. Most commonly it is held on 30 April–1 May, or halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It was observed in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. In Irish it is Bealtaine ([ˈbʲal̪ˠt̪ˠənʲə]), in Scottish Gaelic Bealltainn ([ˈpjaul̪ˠt̪ˠɪɲ]) and in Manx Gaelic Boaltinn or Boaldyn. It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals; along with Samhain, Imbolc and Lughnasadh.

Beltane is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature and it is associated with important events in Irish mythology. It marked the beginning of summer and was when cattle were driven out to the summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around the bonfire, or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. Doors, windows, byres and the cattle themselves would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire. In parts of Ireland, people would make a May Bush; a thorn bush decorated with flowers, ribbons and bright shells. Holy wells were also visited, while Beltane dew was thought to bring beauty and maintain youthfulness. Many of these customs were part of May Day or Midsummer festivals in other parts of Great Britain and Europe.

As a festival, Beltane had largely died-out by the mid-20th century, although some of its customs continued and in some places it has been revived as a cultural event. Since the latter 20th century, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans have observed Beltane, or something based on Beltane, as a religious holiday. Neopagans in the Southern Hemisphere often celebrate Beltane at the other end of the year (~31 October–1 November).

Read more here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beltane

Samhain

Also called

Samhuinn / Samhainn (Scottish Gaelic)

 Sauin (Manx Gaelic)

Observed by

Historically: Gaels

 Today: Irish people, Scottish people, Manx people, Celtic neopagans and Wiccans

Type

Cultural,

 Pagan (Celtic polytheism, Celtic Neopaganism, Wicca)

Significance

End of the harvest season, beginning of winter

Date

Sunset 31 October – sunset 1 November (N. Hemisphere)

 Sunset 30 April – sunset 1 May (S. Hemisphere)

Celebrations

Bonfires, guising, divination, apple bobbing, feasting

Related to

Halloween, Hop-tu-Naa, Calan Gaeaf, Kalan Gwav, All Saints' Day, All Souls' Day

Samhain (pron.: /ˈsɑːwɪn/, /ˈsaʊ.ɪn/, or /ˈsaʊn/)[1] is a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. Most commonly it is held on 31 October–1 November, or halfway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. Along with Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh it makes up the four Gaelic seasonal festivals. It was observed in Ireland, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Kindred festivals were held at the same time of year in other Celtic lands; for example the Brythonic Calan Gaeaf (in Wales), Kalan Gwav (in Cornwall) and Kalan Goañv (in Brittany).

Samhain is mentioned in some of the earliest Irish literature. Many important events in Irish mythology happen or begin on Samhain. It was the time when cattle were brought back down from the summer pastures and when livestock were slaughtered for the winter. In much of the Gaelic world, bonfires were lit and there were rituals involving them, as at Beltane. People and their livestock would often walk between two bonfires as a cleansing ritual, and the bones of slaughtered livestock were cast into its flames.[2] Samhain (like Beltane) was seen as a time when the "door" to the Otherworld opened enough for the souls of the dead, and other beings, to come into our world. Feasts were had, at which the souls of dead kin were beckoned to attend and a place set at the table for them. It has thus been likened to a festival of the dead. People also took steps to protect themselves from harmful spirits, which is thought to have led to the custom of guising. Divination was also done at Samhain.

It was popularized as the "Celtic New Year" from the late 19th century, following Sir John Rhys and Sir James Frazer.[3] It has been linked with All Saints' Day (and later All Souls' Day) since the 9th century, when the date of that holiday was shifted to November 1. Both have strongly influenced the secular customs of Halloween.[4]

Samhain is still celebrated as a cultural festival by some (though it has mostly been replaced by Halloween) and, since the 20th century, has been celebrated as a religious festival by Celtic neopagans and Wiccans.[5] Neopagans in the Southern Hemisphere often celebrate Samhain at the other end of the year (~30 April–1 May).

Read more here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain