Links and things for Bealltainn...

Now that Bealltainn is officially less than two weeks away, I thought I'd do a round up of some bits and pieces that you might find useful if you're looking for some inspiration, or an idea of what the hell it is!

First off, last year I did a video for Gaol Naofa's Youtube channel that gives a good introduction:

And if you want to do some reading for a more in-depth view then you might find the two-parter I did on Tairis a while ago useful:

• Bealltain Part One
• Bealltain Part Two

There's also a piece on Celebrating Bealltainn, and a short article on Rowan and Red Threads with a ritual for hanging the charms as well.

Over on Gaol Naofa, there are some songs and ideas for Bealltainn crafts. The songs include:

• Thugamar Féin An Samhradh Linn
• Tiocfaidh An Samhradh
• Thig, A' Chuinneach, Thig

The latter link is a churning song (with links to a few others), since churning butter at Bealltainn is an important activity. Bannocks and caudle also form an important part of the celebrations (in Scotland), and you can find more information, along with some good reads about Irish customs, at the following links:

• Beltane Bannocks at the Carmichael Watson Project
• Festival Bannocks and Caudle
• Caudle Recipe
• Traditional May Day Customs

There's also a wealth of poetry relating to the coming of summer that can provide inspiration and make a nice addition to celebrations and devotions:

• Laa Boaldyn
• Summer Has Come
• Song of Summer
• In Praise of May
• Seasonal Quatrain: Bealtaine
• The Old Woman of Lia Nothain