Bealtaine is a fire festival held to strengthen the warmth of the sun and bring the summer growing season. Two bonfires are kidled and dedicated to the health and proserity of the clan.
In addition our feast and ceremony, the clan sponsors a "he-man" competition of various feast of skill and strength. All are welcome to participate. The winner of the competition is given the honor of running the competition the following year.
(The following comment from AOL message board provides more details about the holiday)
From: Mainlia Mar 29, 1998
Bealtaine usually held on May first, is the feast of the god Belenos. Bealtaine as well as Belenos are symbols of fire and sun. The feis is symbolized with fire, purification, and fertility. Beltaine hails the beginning of summer, the herds are driven out to summer pasture. The clans gather and hold a feis, making plans for the coming season. Druids called Brehon judges are available to give judgments, and settle debates. Beltaine is a time in Brehon law that trial marriages started at the previous Lughnasadh could go to divorce if the couple found the confinement of winter incompatible. Rents and debts were paid, and legal contracts made. The Fianna (professional standing army of the high king) gathers and lives off the land hunting, training, raiding, and waring for the warmer months. Religion/festival: The evening of Bealtaine was one of the two nights (Samhain , and Bealtaine) in which the barriers to the otherworld are thin. The doors of the sidhe (Fairy) mounds are open. Care must be taken not to anger the spirits, or fall under the spell of the otherworld. Beasts and clan members are purified from their long winter confinement, by being driven between two bonfires. This kills off any lingering infection, gives fertility, and personal success in the coming months. Bands of young men run around the tuath bearing branches of blazing foliage to purify and protect their homes. All fires are put out, and renewed from the sacred Bael fire. --Mainlia
The festival of Beltaine, which literally means "Bel's fire" (Beal-teinne) marks the beginning of the summer and the light half of the Celtic year. Traditionally, all fires were extinguished on the eve of Beltaine, to be re-lit from the sacred 'needfire' kindled at dawn. The Celts were predominantly pastoral people and Beltaine was the time when the cattle were put out to their summer grazing on the higher slopes. The cattle were driven through the sacred Beltaine fires for purification. The sacred fire would also, it was believed, bring protection, good fortune and fertility to the people.
It was also the time when young Celtic warriors would put their fighting skills to the test in the challenges of the Beltaine Games. With the hard work of planting accomplished, it was a time when the clans came together in celebration of the sun and to hope that the crops would grow and flourish in the months ahead.
[Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust, Isle of Arran]
As we approach Beltaine, please be mindful of the wise words of the Druid Mainlia from the north that are written above. I would add only to ask that you consciously spend a few minutes each day before the festival mentally noting the position of the sun in the sky; pay attention to the movement of the shadows as they cross the yard. Subtle mysteries are revealed in these shifting patterns of light. Be aware of the caress of the wind and the songs of birds, so recently returned.
We are farther removed from the natural world than any people that have ever lived on the face of this earth, for we do not witness or participate in the planting and harvesting of our own food nor the carrying of our own water from the spring; and it is easy for us to miss a glorious sunrise and sunset and difficult for us to find the time to bear witness to the slow opening of flower petals to the sun; but the will of the Gods is revealed in these NATURAL things alone. Bel's fire will only purify those who are spiritually ready for that purification, PREPARE!
Comyn