Tater Scot - a Modern Day Wizard: Paganism: Beltane

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Paganism: Beltane - The Bale Fire

For those who are interested in Paganism. Patti Wigington explains the pagan practice of lighting the Bale Fire for Beltane. Enjoy!

Peace & Love -

Tater

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The Bale Fire
By Patti Wigington
About.com Guide

The tradition of the Beltane bonfire goes back hundreds of years ago, and is still celebrated today in many places.

Image © Jeff J. Mitchell/Getty Images

One of the hallmarks of any Beltane celebration is the bonfire, or the Bale Fire (this can be spelled a number of ways, including Beal Fire and Bel Fire). This tradition has its roots in early Ireland. According to legend, each year at Beltane, the tribal leaders would send a representative to the hill of Uisneach, where a great bonfire was lit. These representatives would each light a torch, and carry it back to their home villages. Once the fire reached the village, everyone would light a torch to take into their houses and use to light their hearths. This way, the fire of Ireland was spread from one central source throughout the entire country.

In Scotland, traditions were slightly different, as the Bale Fire was used as a protection and purification of the herd. Two fires were lit, and cattle were driven between the pair. This was also thought to bring good fortune to the herders and farmers.

In some places, the Bale Fire was used as a signal beacon. In Dartmoor, England, there is a hill known as the Cosdon Beacon. During the medieval period, beacon fires were lit at the top of the hill, which – thanks to its height and location – was the perfect spot for ultimate visibility. The hill is located in an area that allows, on a clear day, a view into North Devon, parts of Cornwall, and Somerset.

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines the Bale Fire (or balefire) as a funeral fire, and describes the etymology of the word as being from the Old English, with bael meaning funeral, and fyr as fire. However, the use of the word has sort of fallen out of favor as a term for a funeral pyre... Full Article

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