Post by Creative Consortium on May 24, 2008 13:26:57 GMT -6
The Days of Beltane would start out right if Adam Aberdeen had anything to do with it. Despite his bouts of disbelief in religion, he did not have to have his wife and their family suffer for it...
In the corner of the Castle Gardens Adam set up a Beltane alter for Bess for her to partake if she wished... Smiling satisfied, he returned to the bedchambers of Aodhan and Bess…
Taking soft steps into Aodhan's room, smiling at the boy before he wakes. Setting down the toy set he had made, and the small gryphon painting, he arranged it so that would be the first he saw when he opened his eyes. Then he kissed his forehead and wished him a Happy Birthday...
…..
Then he tiptoed out of the boy's room then into his bedchambers. There he saw Bess laying asleep. Hugging his pillow as if he was still there. Quietly, he moved to the table near their bed and set her gifts for her. One was a silver gryphon pendant and chain, the other a pair of Beltane earrings.
….
Then he kissed her forehead and wished her a Happy Birthday...
Beathag was a deep sleeper today, a day where in she was entitled to do nothing but seek enjoyment before the festivities later on. Turning over in her sleep, she clutched the pillow, unknowing her husband had gone or what he had sought to do in surprise for her. When at last the hour grew too late to ignore, her eyes opened to find that Adam had risen to assum his duties already. The feeling of a kiss lingered on the skin, so much so that she smiled.
Imagine her surprise when she saw the presents lying on the bedside table! The pendant was instantly put on, and the earrings would be dawned for the party. No one had left her presents before! 35 years old and she felt only as old as Aodhan, wanting to hug him and laugh with delight. "Ah my love," tears came to her eyes as she wiped them away, overjoyed, "Thank ye sae much."
Aodhan's joy came bursting down the hallway when he came to tell his mother of the wonderful toys Papa had left for him, and how he couldn't wait to see the maypoles, the colors, and at last make so many friends among the country's children. "How wonderful, love! Happy birthday mah bright boy," "Happy Birthday, too, Mama." He kissed her cheek, and took her to marvel at the lot.
In due time they dressed and went to share a walk in the garden. While Aodhan dallied in the tall grasses, Beathag went off to her own corner to sit..only to find the alter carefully arranged. For a man who questioned his faith he took such care in preserving hers. "Wot did Ah dae tae deserve such a man?"
"Eadar da theine Bhealltuinn" ["Between two Beltane fires"] was spoken by the village elder as the herds were driven between the two fein cigin (needfires).
Adam stood on the wall, looking out over the fields. Fires began to dot the countryside as the new allowance by Griffon Decree that no religion would be suppressed, but allowed to worship in their own way. Some larger than others and he smiled as Bel Fires (two large fires), lit from the nine sacred woods began to lighten the purple blanket of Skye.
Many people of Skye felt the Bel fire was a sacred fire with healing and purifying powers. The fires celebrate the return of life, fruitfulness to the earth and the burning away of winter. The ashes of the Beltane fires would be smudged on their faces and scattered in the fields. Household fires would be extinguished and re-lit with fresh fire from the Bel Fires.
In the kitchen, the servants worked late preparing a colorful fruit and spiced filled bread for the festivals. The cooks baked the Bonnach Bealtain (festival bread) of sweet dough made with sweetmeat and spices.
Young men would fasten garland and boughs on the windows and doors of the young maidens upon which their sweet interest lay. Mountain ash leaves and Hawthorne branches meant indicated love whereas thorn meant disdain.
During the eve, young men and women wandered into the woods before daybreak of May Day morning with garlands of flowers and/or branches of trees. They would arrive; most rumpled from joyous encounters, in many areas with the maypole for the Beltane celebrations. Their thoughts on human sexuality and fertility were not bound up in guilt and sin, but rather joyous in the less restraint expression of human passions. Life was not an exercise but rather a joyful dance, rich in all beauty it can afford.
Adam had a Maypole erected in the courtyard; a tall pole decorated with long brightly colored ribbons, leaves, flowers and wreaths. The excitement and beauty of Beltane can not be better expressed than through the gaiety and joy of our children. There is not doubt "spring fever" hits at Beltane, and hits hard. Children are full of unbridled energy charged up and ready to go! Children always amplify the seasonal energies and the thrill of their change, they bring richness and merriment wherever they go.
Early that morn, Adam brought a large container of water to the bedchambers for Bess. He was told that another important association of Beltane was water, which was considered refreshing and rejuvenating, it is also imperative to life. He was told that if she bathed in the dew gathered before dawn on Beltane morn, her beauty will flourish throughout the year and those who are sprinkled with May dew are insured of health and happiness.
By mid morn, young maidens and lads would each hold the end of a ribbon, and dance revolving around the base of the pole, interweaving the ribbons. The circle of dancers should begin, as far out from the pole as the length of ribbon allows, so the ribbons are taut. There should be an even number of lads and lasses. Boys would be facing clockwise and girls counterclockwise. They would each move in the direction that they are facing, weaving with the next, around to braid the ribbons over-and-under around the pole. Those passing on the inside would have them to duck, those passing on the outside raise their ribbons to slide over. As the dances revolve around the pole the ribbons will weave creating a pattern, it is said that the pattern will indicate the abundance of harvest year.
Soon, celebration throughout the land would include people frolicking throughout the countryside, maypole dancing, leaping over fires to ensure fertility, circling the fire three times (sun-wise) for good luck in the coming year, athletic tournaments feasting, music, drinking, children gathering flowers, hobby horses, May birching and folks go a maying". Flowers, flower wreaths and garlands were typical decorations for this holiday, as well as ribbons and streamers. Adam learned that flowers were a crucial symbol of Beltane, they signaled the victory of Summer over Winter and the blossoming of sensuality in all of nature and the bounty it will bring.
In the corner of the Castle Gardens Adam set up a Beltane alter for Bess for her to partake if she wished... Smiling satisfied, he returned to the bedchambers of Aodhan and Bess…
Taking soft steps into Aodhan's room, smiling at the boy before he wakes. Setting down the toy set he had made, and the small gryphon painting, he arranged it so that would be the first he saw when he opened his eyes. Then he kissed his forehead and wished him a Happy Birthday...
…..
Then he tiptoed out of the boy's room then into his bedchambers. There he saw Bess laying asleep. Hugging his pillow as if he was still there. Quietly, he moved to the table near their bed and set her gifts for her. One was a silver gryphon pendant and chain, the other a pair of Beltane earrings.
….
Then he kissed her forehead and wished her a Happy Birthday...
Beathag was a deep sleeper today, a day where in she was entitled to do nothing but seek enjoyment before the festivities later on. Turning over in her sleep, she clutched the pillow, unknowing her husband had gone or what he had sought to do in surprise for her. When at last the hour grew too late to ignore, her eyes opened to find that Adam had risen to assum his duties already. The feeling of a kiss lingered on the skin, so much so that she smiled.
Imagine her surprise when she saw the presents lying on the bedside table! The pendant was instantly put on, and the earrings would be dawned for the party. No one had left her presents before! 35 years old and she felt only as old as Aodhan, wanting to hug him and laugh with delight. "Ah my love," tears came to her eyes as she wiped them away, overjoyed, "Thank ye sae much."
Aodhan's joy came bursting down the hallway when he came to tell his mother of the wonderful toys Papa had left for him, and how he couldn't wait to see the maypoles, the colors, and at last make so many friends among the country's children. "How wonderful, love! Happy birthday mah bright boy," "Happy Birthday, too, Mama." He kissed her cheek, and took her to marvel at the lot.
In due time they dressed and went to share a walk in the garden. While Aodhan dallied in the tall grasses, Beathag went off to her own corner to sit..only to find the alter carefully arranged. For a man who questioned his faith he took such care in preserving hers. "Wot did Ah dae tae deserve such a man?"
"Eadar da theine Bhealltuinn" ["Between two Beltane fires"] was spoken by the village elder as the herds were driven between the two fein cigin (needfires).
Adam stood on the wall, looking out over the fields. Fires began to dot the countryside as the new allowance by Griffon Decree that no religion would be suppressed, but allowed to worship in their own way. Some larger than others and he smiled as Bel Fires (two large fires), lit from the nine sacred woods began to lighten the purple blanket of Skye.
Many people of Skye felt the Bel fire was a sacred fire with healing and purifying powers. The fires celebrate the return of life, fruitfulness to the earth and the burning away of winter. The ashes of the Beltane fires would be smudged on their faces and scattered in the fields. Household fires would be extinguished and re-lit with fresh fire from the Bel Fires.
In the kitchen, the servants worked late preparing a colorful fruit and spiced filled bread for the festivals. The cooks baked the Bonnach Bealtain (festival bread) of sweet dough made with sweetmeat and spices.
Young men would fasten garland and boughs on the windows and doors of the young maidens upon which their sweet interest lay. Mountain ash leaves and Hawthorne branches meant indicated love whereas thorn meant disdain.
During the eve, young men and women wandered into the woods before daybreak of May Day morning with garlands of flowers and/or branches of trees. They would arrive; most rumpled from joyous encounters, in many areas with the maypole for the Beltane celebrations. Their thoughts on human sexuality and fertility were not bound up in guilt and sin, but rather joyous in the less restraint expression of human passions. Life was not an exercise but rather a joyful dance, rich in all beauty it can afford.
Adam had a Maypole erected in the courtyard; a tall pole decorated with long brightly colored ribbons, leaves, flowers and wreaths. The excitement and beauty of Beltane can not be better expressed than through the gaiety and joy of our children. There is not doubt "spring fever" hits at Beltane, and hits hard. Children are full of unbridled energy charged up and ready to go! Children always amplify the seasonal energies and the thrill of their change, they bring richness and merriment wherever they go.
Early that morn, Adam brought a large container of water to the bedchambers for Bess. He was told that another important association of Beltane was water, which was considered refreshing and rejuvenating, it is also imperative to life. He was told that if she bathed in the dew gathered before dawn on Beltane morn, her beauty will flourish throughout the year and those who are sprinkled with May dew are insured of health and happiness.
By mid morn, young maidens and lads would each hold the end of a ribbon, and dance revolving around the base of the pole, interweaving the ribbons. The circle of dancers should begin, as far out from the pole as the length of ribbon allows, so the ribbons are taut. There should be an even number of lads and lasses. Boys would be facing clockwise and girls counterclockwise. They would each move in the direction that they are facing, weaving with the next, around to braid the ribbons over-and-under around the pole. Those passing on the inside would have them to duck, those passing on the outside raise their ribbons to slide over. As the dances revolve around the pole the ribbons will weave creating a pattern, it is said that the pattern will indicate the abundance of harvest year.
Soon, celebration throughout the land would include people frolicking throughout the countryside, maypole dancing, leaping over fires to ensure fertility, circling the fire three times (sun-wise) for good luck in the coming year, athletic tournaments feasting, music, drinking, children gathering flowers, hobby horses, May birching and folks go a maying". Flowers, flower wreaths and garlands were typical decorations for this holiday, as well as ribbons and streamers. Adam learned that flowers were a crucial symbol of Beltane, they signaled the victory of Summer over Winter and the blossoming of sensuality in all of nature and the bounty it will bring.
