Bealteine celebrates the start of summer. The term itself refers to shimmering fire (like a rising sun reflecting on a shimmering lake). This celebration takes place out of doors during the daytime. It is a time for action, a time to get going, a time to take care of business. It is also a fertility celebration. In the past, it involved a rite of passage for men. At the right time, they were armed.
An interesting aspect of this festival was a rule that anyone could say anything they liked to anyone else without fear of reprisal. This may not seem all that unusual to Americans who are used to doing this any time. However, in the days of serfs/masters, it was highly unusual.
