May 1st Beltane Solar Alignments at Mounds State Park Henge, The Newark Henge, and the Alligator Mound
At Beltane, on May 1st, it was the time of mating and of the passing of the livestock through the two Beltane fires for purification.his festival is also known as Beltane, the Celtic May Day. It officially begins at moonrise on May Day Eve and marks the beginning of the third quarter or second half of the ancient Celtic year.
It marked the beginning of summer. Special fires were kindled, and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people would walk around the bonfire or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. Household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. It officially begins at moonrise on May Day Eve, and marks the beginning of the third quarter or second half of the ancient Celtic year.
