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Easter - History - Customs - Eggs - Legends - Games - Rings - E-Cards

Bealtaine (pron. BYELL-ten-uh) is a fire festival that celebrates the coming of spring and the arrival of the sun. Bel (Sacred Oak from the Heavens) + Aine. (Water from Heaven) It is celebrated on May first in Europe.

The Celts, a race of people who lived from 800 B.C to 500 A.D, lit two sacred fires and drove cattle between them. All fires were extinguished and an oak wheel called The Wheel of the Sun was set on fire. Trees were considered sacred objects and prayed to for sunshine, rain, and harvest. (1, 3)