Druids

secured their tithes by relighting the new sacred fire, especially on May day (see also Azteks). All who were free from sin, and who had paid their priests duly, rushed madly through the fires; but malefactors were burnt between two fires, [In S, Italy these fires are still lighted on St John’s Eve; and men leap over them shouting “ Bel”—which they only understand as Bello “beautiful.” The Lebanon Maronites light fires on this day in autumn—Ep.] The Irish Kelts also celebrated the Bel-tein or “sun-fire” rites. The Holy Fire of the Jerusalem Cathedral (traced as early as 800 a.c,) falls from heaven at Easter.