beltaine fires mike pictcelt@hotmail.com Wed Mar 28 09:11:57 2001 some of you may already have gotten this from some discuss lists or egroups you may be part of, but i just got this, and i do not see it in here, so i figure i;ll post it...*p*AN ANNOUCEMENT REGARDING BELTANE IN IRELAND*br*>From Fire-Eye (www.fire-eye.org)*p*The Beltane fires are being relit in Ireland. Plans to physically light the*br*hilltops this year have been altered due to the severity of the crisis*br*affecting the animals of the land and those who care for them. We will be*br*holding a vigil in central Ireland on April 28 and ask the world to join us.*p*We recognize that inner fires were always the most significant ones and that*br*Ireland's hilltop fires were but symbols of the inner blaze of life and*br*love. We ask that people individually light Beltane fires by placing a*br*light in their window during the season of Fire-Eye (April 28-May 1). The*br*ancient Beltane festival was in great part an extended public prayer for the*br*protection of the herds. Now more than ever we realize the need to focus*br*our attention on healing the herds as well as our relationship to them. We*br*ask that you join us in this Great Re-Lighting and offer the following*br*prayer for your use:*p*Prayer for Beltane*p*This is the season when, in ancient times, great fires were lit upon*br*hilltops to signify the coming of spring and to pray for an abundant summer.*br*At that time too our ancestors drove their herds near the Beltane fires,*br*praying for the health and protection of the cattle.*br*Now, in this time of desperate pain for animals and farmers, we light again*br*the fires of spring in our hearts and in our homes, in our windows and our*br*spirit.*br*As we do, we remember:*br*The health of the herds is the health of the people.*br*The health of the herds is the health of the earth.*br*The life of the herds is the life of the people.*br*The life of the herds is the life of the earth.*br*Lighting the flames of Beltane, we pray for healing:*br*Healing for the animals.*br*Healing for those who care for the animals.*br*Healing for the land.*br*Healing for us all.*p**br*