House of Scotland Gaelic Class

Beltaine Bonfire, May 2001
Sign provided by David.
Saving the firesquare in the early evening and starting the first fire.
Bob cooking the bangers.
Christmas tree to burn (provided by Susan), hobby horse (real horse skull and mane) and drum to beat (brought by Geoffrey).
Alan warms up the bagpipes for the ceremony.

Geoffrey makes the invocation raising the horn.
Sharon, Eva, and Annette carry the Christmas tree branches with "parchment" papers saying what we want to get rid of from the past and wish for the future by burning them in the fire.
Participants circle the fire clockwise three times, led by Alan on pipes, followed by Susan on the drum and Geoffrey. Then we throw the branches into the fire one by one and watch the fire blaze up briskly each time. Branch by branch, the entire tree, a Douglas Fir named "Douglas," is sacrificed.

This tree was very special. Fresh and fragrant when bought, it lasted without dropping much through February. Outside, it continued to smell. In the car on the way to the beach, it filled the car with fragrance. It still continues to live in our presence. Little brown needles keep showing up in the car and on the carpet, a ghost of an invincible spirit that lives on throughout the year.