SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Pastimes
May Day, also known as Beltane
An SI Board Since April 1999
Posts SubjectMarks Bans
2063 11 0
Emcee:  Edwarda Type:  Unmoderated
Introduction Compact
In the time-honored tradition of seasonal threads, Cheeky Kid and I invite you to post and enjoy.

What is Beltane?

It is an ancient pagan Celtic fire ritual celebrating the coming of the sun and the new growth on the lands after the lean time of winter. It symbolises the link between the female principle (earth) manifested in the May Queen and the male spirit (sun) with the Beltane Fire as its earthly equivalent.

The fire symbolises the sun, the purifying presence which burns out the darkness and suffering of the winter months. The Beltane fire was circled three times for good luck in the coming year, leapt through to ensure fertility and was used for purifying cattle that were driven between two fires. Home fires would be extinguished and re-lit with fresh fire from the hilltop. Burning torches were swung to symbolise the new sun and ashes smudged on faces and scattered in the fields.

Beltane is essentially a celebration of rampant fertility. In mediaeval times, it involved the gathering of flowers and branches in the forest amid much carousing and ribaldry, the implication being that illicit lovemaking went on under cover of darkness. It is also traditionally a night of rowdy and indecorous behaviour. This interpretation of Beltane's being a fertility rite is fairly unshakeable and is probably the reason why the Beltane festival has retained its charm and symbolic power over thousands of years.
Previous 25 | Next 25 | View Recent | Post Message
Go to reply# or date (mm/dd/yy):
ReplyMessage PreviewFromRecsPosted
2063Oh so that's what happened to ya...I'll send some of the women down to lPuna-5/15/2004
2062P-dude, I almost made it....got half way up the hill.....fell on my ass....rollShoot1st-5/14/2004
2061Ah come on Shootie, the women are gathering for us right now -- roll off that coPuna-5/1/2004
2060Spring has sprung...... but I'm feeling old....... living off of vitamins Shoot1st-5/1/2004
2059Dearling.... it is clear.... you have been trapped..... in the carpentorium oShoot1st-6/9/2003
2058Ummmmm.....no I never noticed. you seem a little stressed.....eh? have a pieceShoot1st-6/9/2003
2057ever notice how every fucking little board used here and there have a certain spRainy_Day_Woman-6/8/2003
2056Yes. No. OK. ShootieShoot1st-6/3/2003
2055carpenters? KnotholesRouchie.com YWSShoot1st-6/3/2003
2054I have rested...... and now..... phalanges4all.com YWSShoot1st-6/3/2003
2053so many carpenters so little time.......Rainy_Day_Woman-6/3/2003
2052pffffft that wasn't even close to name calling woman really, I can be veryRainy_Day_Woman-6/3/2003
2051and now you know the rest of the story [he's been up-dated] you can rest yRainy_Day_Woman-6/3/2003
2050<i>she is an active little hussy</i> Isn't that the type men arNeenny-6/3/2003
2049Pssst....Jane! there has been...........4........countem 4 carpenters. she isShoot1st-6/3/2003
2048Don't you know, she had ran off with the carpenter, for a long weekend?? AlNeenny-6/3/2003
2047I've been tappin' mah fingers for days...... where the hell you bean? Shoot1st-6/3/2003
2046<i>soemtimes you even seem like warm ginger ale foaming out mah nose.....&Rainy_Day_Woman-6/3/2003
2045that was a total insult Shootie shot you with. You need a kinder, gentler man. The Philosopher-5/29/2003
2044Are you sure you don't understand.... I mean.... like you know.... are yoShoot1st-5/28/2003
2043Shootie, I think that analogy worked perfectly well for attorneys, but I think Neenny-5/28/2003
2042Dearling..... you are all of the above... well, actually....all below. soemtiShoot1st-5/28/2003
2041Jane....Jane....Jane....... I'm not so sure..... I think you may be right.Shoot1st-5/28/2003
2040give me up!?!?! never! don't listen to that hussy why, why, why, I'm Rainy_Day_Woman-5/27/2003
2039Shootie my dear, don't you know by now, I am always right?? smiles JaneNeenny-5/25/2003
Previous 25 | Next 25 | View Recent | Post Message
Go to reply# or date (mm/dd/yy):
HomeMailHotSubjectMarksPeopleMarksKeepersSettings
Terms Of UseContact UsCopyright/IP PolicyPrivacy PolicyAbout UsFAQAdvertise on SI
© 2026 Knight Sac Media.  Data provided by Twelve Data, Alpha Vantage, and CityFALCON News