Seasons, Part 4

     In our series about the Celtic calendar, the next festival is Beltane, celebrated on May 1st.  It is the celebration of spring in all its fullness. 

     In the old times, Celtic villagers would create a huge fire and then have their cattle jump over the flames as a symbol of protecting the herd over the coming months.  Some would create a kind of griddle cake called bannock and whoever received the most burned piece would have to jump the flames as the "sacrifice." 

     Some traditions still remain, such as dancing around the Maypole or electing a May queen. 

(photo courtesy of pixabay.com)