Buffy and beltane

Beltane/May Eve is a harbinger of summer honored with fabulous festivals replete with fires and dancing. Since my last blog post touted the greatness of Buffy I want to have a Beltane Buffy quiz. Beltane is traditionally celebrated on April 30 or May 1 (or most traditionally, overnight from April 30-May 1). Background

It traditionally marked the arrival of summer in ancient times. Beltane, and its counterpart Samhain, divide the year into its two primary seasons, winter (Dark Part) and summer (Light Part). As Samhain is about honoring Death, Beltane, its counter part, is about honoring Life. Beltane, like Samhain, is a time of "no time" when the veils between the two worlds are at their thinnest. Beltane translated means "fire of Bel" or "bright fire" - the "bale-fire". The Bel fire is a sacred fire with healing and purifying powers. The fires further celebrate the return of life, fruitfulness to the earth and the burning away of winter. Celebration includes frolicking throughout the countryside, maypole dancing, leaping over fires to ensure fertility, circling the fire three times (sun-wise) for good luck in the coming year, athletic tournaments feasting, music, drinking, children collecting the May: gathering flowers. children gathering flowers, hobby horses, May birching and folks go a maying".