The Beltane celebration, from Celtic tradition to Borgo Preplans.

Beltane is a Celtic festival that originated in ancient times and symbolizes the beginning of summer. It was a highly anticipated event until the end of the 19th century. Even today, in countries with a strong Celtic tradition, it is celebrated on the first day of May to welcome the summer and the beautiful season.

Two deities are revered during Beltane: the masculine god Bel and the feminine goddess Belisama. Bel, literally the god of fire, is considered a solar deity, as well as a shepherd, healer, and purifier of waters. On the other hand, Bel’s wife, goddess Belisama, represents beauty and is a symbol of the sun (in Celtic culture, the sun was considered feminine). She is also associated with water and healing, fertility, and wisdom.

We discovered with great curiosity that a representation of the god Bel (Belenos) can be found in a bas-relief in Aquileia, in our region of Friuli. He is depicted with hair and a beard resembling sun rays, and two serpents emerging from his beard, symbolizing wisdom and healing.

The love between the two deities represents the blending of the masculine and feminine principles: fertility. Beltane was a time to ensure a good harvest, purify the waters for the summer, heal the sick, secure favorable weather, and welcome the birth of new children. Those conceived on the night of Beltane were considered special children, known as the “benvoluti,” believed to be the offspring of the gods, and no one dared to harm them.

On the day of Beltane, which means “festival of fire,” large bonfires are traditionally lit. These fires represent the warmth and strength of the sun. In the past, animals were passed near the fire to purify them and keep them away from diseases. Likewise, young couples would also pass near the fire to draw energy and good fortune for the future.

It was believed that on this special day, even the water derived power from the sun, so there were many pilgrimages to sacred springs.

Another important ritual of Beltane was the union between the May King, the king of the sacred forest, and the Maiden Goddess Brigid, the symbol of beauty, to renew the life and fertility of the land. This tradition gave rise to the custom of wearing green for males and decorating their faces with forest colors, while women would wear white adorned with flowers and hawthorn. In ancient times, males would venture into the sacred forest, and the young maidens would search for them by following the sound of their horns.

The Maypole replaced this ritual. After erecting a large pole in the ground, men and women would dance around it, intertwining colored ribbons attached to the top. The effect, in our opinion, is magical, bringing joy, color, and happiness to everyone participating.

How did Beltane come to Borgo Preplans?

There is a group of close friends, connected in life and in soul, who, a few years ago during their trip, discovered the town of Glastonbury and its Celtic culture. Glastonbury is considered the quintessential English town for Celtic culture, and various initiatives, including Beltane, are celebrated there annually. By chance, they happened to be there during that time.

Monica, Lisa, Barbara, and Isotta immediately fell in love with the atmosphere of those days. Positive energies filled the air, people’s spirits were open, joy was everywhere, and spirituality was deeply felt.

Every day of that vacation was a discovery, a taste of new sensations, experiences that touched them deeply.

They returned from that trip with a small flame of change within themselves and promised to return in the following years.

Unfortunately, the pandemic broke out, and it was impossible to return to those lands.

However, they didn’t lack initiative, and as the saying goes, “If Muhammad doesn’t go to the mountain, the mountain comes to Muhammad.” So, they made it happen!

But they needed a suitable place for all this. A place where nature reigns, water is an important element, a forest with its creatures close at hand—a center where the energies are strong.

For Monica, everything aligned perfectly with Borgo Preplans.

It was easy to gather the support of their friends to try and recreate the right atmosphere.

Some initiatives were symbolic, while others were very profound. Among them, undoubtedly, meditation in the forest gave us intense energy and an inner dialogue with the surrounding nature that was impossible not to perceive.

Everything unfolded in serenity and joy, as befits the spirit of Beltane. The arrival of the beautiful season can only bring happiness.

I don’t think I’m exaggerating by saying that experiencing this with the right spirit has given us optimism and positivity. We’ll never know if it was the strength of the god Bel and the wisdom of the goddess Belisama that bestowed them upon us, but we like to think so.

Borgo Preplans has enriched itself with a new event, welcoming new guests. Knowing Monica, Lisa, Barbara, and Isotta, they will continue to surprise us!