DASG Blog

Mìosachan nan Gàidheal: An Samhradh (Pàirt 1)

At long last, summer will come soon, blessings of the Summer upon us! I hope you are as happy as a mavis and ready for summer as I am. As we looked at festivals, holy days and signs of weather to come - or changes in weather - in the Gaelic world in the blogs prior (“Mìosachan nan Gàidheal: An t-Earrach (Pàirt 4)”) we shall have a look at them that will appear in summer, starting with the first month of summer: May.
 
An Cèitein/Màigh/Yn Baaltin/Boaldyn/Yn-chied vee jeh’n tourey.
 
01-07/05 – Seachdain na Feadaireachd [“Week of Whistling.”] The “Week of Whistling” is said of this week because of the loud whistlings of the wind that you will hear around this time of the year. It is advised of people to not begin hard work while it runs through the week.
 
01/05 – Là Bealltainn/Bealltainn/Boayldyn. “Bealltainn” is a special day in the Gaelic year; the summer starts on this specific day and that the day is celebrated with lots of practices and a lot of folklore because it is a “Là Ceann Ràithe” [“A starting day of the [four] Season[s].”] You can find a lot about thus specific day in the blog we have. It is said that the summer will last “O Bhealtuinn gu Samhuinn” [“From Beltane to Halloween.”]
It is said that whatever day of the week that New Year’s Day falls on Bealltainn will fall on the day of the week just after it: “Nollaig [Mhòr] an-diugh, Bealltainn a-màireach” [“New Year’s Day, Beltane tomorrow.”]
About this time of year, because the weather can be somewhat treacherous, it isn’t a surprise that we have “Caisean-cumhach na Bealltainn,” “Balt Bealltainn,” “Garraiseach na Bealltainn” and “Rotach Bealltainn.” It isn’t a surprise that if there is “Sneachda mu bhial na Bealltainn” [“Snow at the coming of Beltane”] either. With hope and good weather you will see “Calman Bealltainn” [“Beltane Dove”] too.
In the book “The Folk-Lore of the Isle of Man,” by A.W. Moore, it is written that it is on the twelfth day that “Laa-Boaldyn” falls but it is but I have written it on the first day in this blog. I have left “Oie Voaldyn” [“Beltane Eve”] although. Perhaps this was a tradition of the old calender year?
 
03/05 – Là seachnach na Bliadhna [“The Day of Avoidance of the Year”]. This day is on the third day of Summer. It is said that it was on this day that the angels fell from Paradise and therefore that one should keep themselves from evil on this day (or evils for some of us...)
 
10/05 – Laa’l Spitlin Souree. This is a church feast day in the Isle of Man on the half of a saint unknown to us today.
 
11/05 – Oie Voaldyn [“Beltane Eve.”] [See “Là Bealltainn” above for more information.] It is said that the fairies (or the “Little People” or the “Little Folk”) are quite dissenting and lively on this night, just as spirits and witches on Halloween. Apparently fires would be lit on the hill tops to clear the “Little People.” Therefore, people try to keep themselves safe with many incantations and supernatural practise. A “Crosh Cuirn” is made, the house is decorated with “Sumark” (Primrose) and “Bollan-feaill-Eoin” (St John’s Wort) is decorated on cattle for protecting them. You can read more about practises of Beltane in the blog “Là Buidhe Bealltainn” we have at DASG.
 
“Perambulation of Parish Boundaries.” In Man, on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, every person of the community would perambulate around the parish on one of the days here before Ascension Day (or “Holy Thursday.”) Because Ascension Day moves every year “Perambulation of the Parish Boundaries” will move as well.
 
13/05 – Diardaoin Deasghabhail (this year) [Ascension Day].
 
16/05 – Là Fhéill Brianain [“St Brendan’s Day.”] In Lorne and South Lochfyneside “Fèill Breunain” is said of this day. To today “Sgìre a’ Chuain [“Parish of the Ocean”] is said for “Kilbrandon” because there is a story that Saint Brendan lived there, trying to find Paradise, and he found it in “Sgìre a’ Chuain.” Some will say that this day happens on the same day as Pentecost in some districts but it is interesting that the two days are put together.
 
23/05 – Didòmhnaich Caingis (this year) [Pentacost, Whitsunday]. It is on this day and on St Martin’s Day that people will flit and move from home to home according to the paying of their rent in the days of old.
 
30/05 – Didòmhnaich na Trionaid (this year) [Trinity Sunday].
 
We shall continue with part 2 next month. I must have some holy days and festivals missing that I haven't mentioned but do you know that I haven't mentioned? Let us know on facebook, twitter and our own website!