Lusty May

The Beltane Fire Society in Scotland is a charity run by a Board of Volunteers.  Funded entirely by donations through membership, ticket sales and merchandising.

 Their aim was to create a sense of community, an appreciation of the cyclical nature of the seasons and a human connection to the earth.

 An internationally recognized event since 1988, the festival takes place in Arts Complex in Edinburgh every year.

Membership in the Society is gained through participation in either the Beltane or Samhuinn Fire Festivals.   The volunteers who put this extravaganza on have no professional experience in the areas they volunteer in.  The producers draw on the skills within the community and it is in this way the community evolves.

 Besides the two main festivals the Society puts on every year they also hold workshops to help keep membership involved all year-round.

Edinburgh is a favorite city of mine.  I first visited as a teenager and then returned last year.  Booking for the festival takes a lot of planning ahead but it is worth the effort. 

Along with the yearly Edinburgh Military Tattoo which closes with an outrageous firewood display from Edinburgh Castle (pictured below) I find being there for either event to be a life-changing event in many ways.