Beltane 2009 (Enchanted mix)

[maxibasic]

beltane festival looks like masonic ritual obviously.

[ZUGPUNK]

WOW!!!!!!!!!! QUE HERMOSO E INTERESANTE....AQUI EN MEXICO HAY RITOS Q DESGRACIADAMENTE DESAPARECIERON POR CULPA DEL CRISTIANISMO....OJALA ALGUN DIA PUEDA VER ESTE RITO EN VIVO

[kingmorbid]

It looks like a really, REALLY boring and dumb burning man.

[Peacenrespect]

Enjoyed this very much thanks for sharing... And great shooting by the way {:>

[greendan200]

women naked, dancing and breaching a pagan ritual, obviously Edinburgh is the best city in the world

[MissHeyken]

This is so damn beautiful. Stunning!

[warkknight88]

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL

[ccifelli424]

I'm still kinda new to paganism in general (about 9 months), so I can honestly say that I've never seen anything like this before, haha. I understand Beltane and the point of the holiday. I also understand the parade, which I love! But can someone please explain to me the dyed skin, abnormal behavior, and all that?

[starofinanna]

@ccifelli424 Basically it's religious theatre/performance. As you read more you'll see that our ancestors did similar things (dressing as animals, wearing costumes, dancing, etc...and things like mimicking sexual acts or leaping in the air as a type of magick to help the Earth and its creatures to remember to reproduce and grow). Plus, ecstatic ritual is fun and satisfying. :D

[ccifelli424]

@starofinanna Ok thank you. I figured it was more for theatre performance; I just didn't know if it had any special symbolism behind it. I mean, it seems as if color holds a special representation in this. The red people seem to be more passionate and caught in ecstasy (appropriate for red... or fire), the people in a greenish or grayish color seem to be in roles of leadership or power, and the blue people appear to be in a trance like state.

[starofinanna]

@ccifelli424 I didn't notice that before but you're quite probably right. The colours are more than likely significant. :)

[sibeliandrift]

@starofinanna

Red - chaos, desire, energy

White - strength, purity, steadfastness

Blue - wisdom, pathfinding, authority

Green Man - Cyclic Life, death and rebirth

May Queen (white) - Eternal Life, incorruptibility, the divine feminine

The drummers in the procession are usually black and white or gold symbolising the unstoppable force of time

There are others - fire people are usually gold, orange, red, earth people are brown and green, water people blue and white, air people white and yellow.

[ccifelli424]

@sibeliandrift So I was right, they do have significance :) My analysis may not have been 100% dead on, but I think that considering I'm not well read on this festival, I did pretty well. hahaha.

[rosepetal282]

HOW LUCKY AM I TO BE BORN ON MAY 1ST...AM A BORN PAGAN!

[TataruSama]

They know how to do the thing right that is for sure. Wish I could go!

[enigmafirst]

Where is this festival held?

[alexjestaire]

@enigmafirst It's all written in the notes, and at the beginning of the vid. It takes place in Edinburgh, capital of Scotland.

[AstralCricket]

@alexjestaire This is the most beautiful thing I have seen in my life. Truly.

[JamesJustinTravers]

Wow. How cool would this be? Trying to find a festival close enough I can attend next year Excellent job on the video

[alexjestaire]

@JamesJustinTravers Thanx James. Hope you'll have a nice Beltane 2010.

[maxdracula]

@lawrencesmallman I will be glad to burn then ;)

[skyegreatorex]

being a pagan is better than being a narrow minded fool like yourself Lawrencesmallman :)

[usamuun]

My town has a much smaller Beltane festival every year. While I love it, and always return home for it, I might just have to make a trip out to Scotland...

[geekgirl70]

Beautiful video editing job. The music is very reminiscent of Enigma. Awesome all round.

[kidcabral]

@geekgirl70 full circle

[lordbodo63]

Beautiful! The music goes so perfectly with this!

The Edinburgh Beltane Festival is one of the things you should see before you die - put it on your bucket list ;o)

[Terraxos]

See it? Heck, you should take part in it! They're always looking for volunteers...

This video does a pretty good job of showing what it's about, but really it's something you just have to experience for yourself.

[GinaKaos999]

thank you for posting this...especially with this song... the meanings are beyond human comprehension

[baysacrazy]

i tried reading up on this and nothing mentions why people are painted blue or red or acting like goblins or sprites and all that. could someone elaborate that part of the festival?

[higen]

I honestly cant wait not only will it be my first Beltane but Ill hopefully be drumming :]

[mosstrooper1000]

This is one of the most awe inspiring productions I've ever seen. One day I'll be there!

[TOUVERAKOIS]

Je suis moins "chorégraphie maçonnique" que célébration des éléments dans la boue la sueur, le sang...

Propose à lawrencesmallman un abonnement à Airloaf, ça va le faire rire^^

[lawrencesmallman]

You pagans are all going to BURN.

[alexjestaire]

They don't care. They'll love it. Idiot.

[CheezyMacDethbot]

@lawrencesmallman LOL - to not even know the origins of your own beliefs & then to hypocritically tell others what's in store.  LOL. That's what you call a good christian.

[lawrencesmallman]

not a christian, cheezymacdethbot, and if pagans, brownies, goblins, dwarfs, trolls and pixies continue lighting torches they are all going to burn.

[CheezyMacDethbot]

Where are they going to burn?

[88silverflame88]

@lawrencesmallman And you're extremely ignorant. So what's your point?

[lawrencesmallman]

@88silverflame88 Yes I am ignorant. But my point? I think I've been very clear .... if you don't include a direct object with a verb being used transitively, then everyone gets very upset. It is quite clear, that Pagans are all going to burn ... torches at Beltane. Do you feel better now? In any case ... what have you got against brownies, goblins, dwarves, trolls and pixies. Do you deny their existence? I think you should light up for them occasionally

[sheavepin]

@lawrencesmallman Too bad for you hell DOESN'T EXIST. Nor does your satan for that matter.

[lawrencesmallman]

@sheavepin When did I say hell or satan did exist? Do you actually read, sheavepinhead?

[sheavepin]

@lawrencesmallman You're the one who said Pagans are gonna burn. I can infer from that, that you either believe in hell and satan, or, you are planning to, or are hoping for, the murder of people of Pagan beliefs.

[lawrencesmallman]

Respond to this video... Also, Sheavepinhead, do you also deny the existence of fairies, brownies, goblins, dwarves, trolls and pixies - as well as hell and satan. Or are they ok? Biting my nails in anticipation of your response ...

[sheavepin]

@lawrencesmallman I believe in spirits. Both good and malevolent.

[TheDarkangelwarlord]

Show respect for other peoples religions and Cultures

Christianity was Born From Paganism

even your God admits in the Ten commandments there are other Gods and Goddess

the bible is full of references to Other Gods and Goddess Christian Saints are Pagan Gods the Vatican Church has pagan god statues all inside ALL THE HOLIDAYS including christmas valentines day thanksgiving easter are all PAGAN HOLIDAYS

[wiccaman69]

What a great night that looks i know where im spending Beltane next year!!

Hail the May!

[STEELPOT1]

Well done!

[RabbiticaMusic]

Fantastic video..matches the music very well. :)

[alexjestaire]

Well, thanx, Canadian friend. I had this soundtrack in mind even before filming - I knew it would make an interesting match - Delerium is very "visual".

[CeltJas]

Great clip. As always a great night, been returning to Edinburgh for the Beltane since i left in 98. For any of you folk who have yet to experience it....get there!

[sihingnoib]

Yes big ceremony wonderful kouzin Congratulation for this movie ! The fire produces too well on your camera !! j'adore !!! trop domage j'aurai bien filmé en live avec toi et ma kouzine sur place ! j'ai raté un truc ... snif ..

[aveZAD]

Stunning, so very stunning (Fire Point performer)

[milkmiruku]

wow, fantastic video, great shots and editing! thanks from a white woman.

[glensloth]

amazing footage

great night

keep up the work

[havetohavemusic]

Wow, thanks for making this, and thanks for putting it up on YouTube. I thought it really captured the feeling. Very sympathetic.

I thought the music was nice, and went well with it (and seemed fitting for Beltane), but I did want there to be a bit of the drumming.

[0olong]

Fantastic work on the video, and so quickly put together! I am very impressed...

[Fizban312]

I felt the power of that ceremony. I know that it was no longer a ritual but a festival for common people but I also know that the message was clear. I was one of The Beltane Guards and proud of It... (Poland)

[0olong]

Have to say, I don't think it's ever lost its ritual power in the evolution towards greater performances - in fact, if anything I'd say it's gained, but maybe that's arguable. It certainly has more ritual meaning for the 300 or so who actually take part, though!

[mTartuffe]

Don't you think this event has lost the ritual in becoming a show for spectators to view passiveley, instead of a venue for people to experience the high holy day?

[havetohavemusic]

I'm fairly new to Beltane (I've been twice as a member of the public, and once as part of it (Photopoint)), so I can't really comment directly. I've no idea how it was before 2007. And I know a number of performers have been saying there were some difficulties this year. But on the other hand, I was actually very touched by some of the people I saw in the crowd. Touched by their raptness and wonderment, and apparent respect for it.

[zeldaluna]

It was incredible! This is the second time I come to Edinburgh from Italy to see this gorgeous festival. Great night, great organization. I love it!

[0606127]

thanks! a great mix! can I ask what soundtrack was that? I'd like to listen to more of this :)

[alexjestaire]

All the information on the music, including links to the artists, is in the notes of the video.

[nimuemoonwolf]

wow i would have loved to gone to this and experienced it...it looked to be a wonderful ceremony!