However, it was a prosperous year, and a bleeding
first-foot was not afterwards considered bad. If anything extraordinary
did occur throughout the year, it was remembered and referred to
afterwards. One New Year's day something was stolen out of our house;
that year father and mother were confined to bed for weeks; the cause
and effect were quite clear. During the day neighbours visited each
other with bottle and bun, every one overflowing with good wishes. In
the evening the family, old and young, were gathered together, those who
during the year were out at service, the married with their families,
and at this meal the best the family could afford was produced. It was a
happy time, long looked forward to, and long remembered by all.
_BELTANE._
Beltane or Beilteine means _Baals fire_, Baal (Lord) was the name under
which the Phoenicians recognized their primary male god, the Sun: fire
was his earthly symbol and the medium through which sacrifices to him
were offered. Hence sun and fire-worship were identical. I am of opinion
that originally the Beltane festival was held at the Spring equinox but
that its original connection with the equinox, in process of time was
forgotten, and it became a festival inaugurative of summer.
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