Beltane (or Beltaine) is a rich, deep orange colourway with dark brown, orange and red speckles. Because it reminded me of bonfires, I named it after the Gaelic May Day festival. Rituals were performed to protect cattle, people, and crops, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled, whose flames, smoke, and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around or between bonfires, and sometimes leap over the flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. These gatherings would be accompanied by a feast, and some of the food and drink would be offered to the aos sí (supernatural race in the Gaelic folklore, similar to elves). Doors, windows, byres, and livestock would be decorated with yellow May flowers, perhaps because they evoked fire.
