�Samhuinn and Beltuinn divide the year into two distinct halves of great importance to agrarian-based societies, as in the West, where our Celtic calendar of eight major seasonal festivals originates. At Beltuinn, flocks and herds went to their summer pastures; at Samhuinn they returned to their winter quarters. Beltuinn may be regarded as a day of Supplication, when a blessing was invoked on hunter and herdsman, on cattle and crops, whereas Samhuinn is a Day of Thanksgiving, for the safe return of the wanderers and the renewal of the food supply.
Fire festivals in ancient times were seen as times of propitiation and purification. �Propitiation� means sacrifice; to propitiate the mysterious forces of nature and ensure fertility in field and fold and on the hearth."
This is a Time in Between. Beltuinn, being the Calends of Summer, is a Time Between, therefore the Veil between Worlds thins, allowing this world and Tir na Nog to intermingle.This has always been considered the other time in the year when the Veil between the Worlds is thin. Because of this it has been long believed that the Fae were abroad. As the Fae are prone to stealing milk from cows, or even turning it sour, Rowan crosses are hung in byres, and domestic animals are sprinkled with water from the Holy Well.
This day, one visits the Holy Well. Walk three times around the Well, then throw in a Silver Coin, after which, while praying, drink from the Well using your hands. When those things are done, then tie a bit of colored cloth or a piece of clothing, called a cloutie to a branch of a nearby tree. The above has to be done in complete silence.
Beltuinn; the Nine Sacred Woods
Tagh seileach nan allr
Choose the willow of the streams,
Tagh calltainnnan creag
Choose the hazel of the rocks,
Tagh fearna nan l�n,
Choose the alder of the marshes,
Tagh beithe nan eas,
Choose the birch of the waterfalls,
Tagh uinnseann nan dubhair,
Choose the rowan of the shade,
Tagh iubhar nan leuma,
Choose the yew of resilience,
Tagh leamhannan bruthaich,
Choose the elm of the brae,
Tagh duire na gr�ine,
Choose the oak of the sun.
(The Ninth is chosen for the Festivals Gods)
