An invitation from this years Cailleach

There will be a ritual of remembrance in which we light a flame of loving memory during the performance on Samhuinn night.  It is in memory of the alleged witches and other nonconformists who were murdered by the establishment centuries ago, in memory of those still persecuted in modern day witch hunts that target already persecuted minorities; in memory of those we have lost as individuals and also, in memory of those who Beltane Fire Society has lost.  As a wider community we have lost people over the years; as individuals we may go visit a certain tree, or sit on a certain bench, but we don’t often mark our losses as a community. This is an opportunity to do so. 

The Cailleach will carry a Creel, a traditional hand woven basket, full of letters and tokens from the Beltane community that will be placed on a brazier and burned.

The Cailleach invites the public to write a note to remember someone you miss, or offer a token for the fire. 

During the night visitors to the festival will be welcomed to add their tokens to the fire. If you would like to bring a letter or token it must be small and made of natural fibers. Fabric lengths will be provided which we invite you to us as a symbol, perhaps tying a knot in it with your intention in mind before its placed on to the fire.  

The remembrance space will be available from 1pm to 4.30pm on the 31st October for anyone to place their tokens into the unlit fire. During the event the Creel space will be open to the public and held by members of the Beltane community. The space will close shortly before the Cailleach performs the Ritual of Remembrance and the Creel is lit; it will reopen shortly after The Cailleach has moved away from the space.

The remembrance space will be located on the parade ground of Holyrood park and is marked on the map as Creel. Please be respectful around this space and follow the instructions of those holding the space. If you are unable to attend in person and would like your words added to the fire please email giftsforthefire@beltane.org before 10pm 30th October.

Image by Scott Winchester