Omphalos (Béltaine) ©2010 M.C.Billingsley

In Ireland the ancient immigrants from Europe brought two primary nature deities - Anu and Don.

Anu/Áine gave birth to life and waters, blessed animals with good health, ruled the healing herbs, mediated wisdom and, in partnership with capable men... offered rulership with insight, breadth of vision, swift courage, and magical alliance.

Donn/Fírinne ruled the weather, raised storms and especially thunder, took souls into his guardianship, and transported the recent dead to the Land of the Blessed after purifying the soul.

Every Béltaine morning... just before dawn... thousands of Munster farm families walked a deeply-worn path to the summit of Cnoc Fírinne to entreat Donn (with flower bouquets, words of respect, and spoken requests) to give a good summer of rain but to hold back destructive winds and hail.

In America, this omphalos of stone hidden off the trail near the peak of igneous Mt. Wantastiquet acts as Donn's proxy and spokesperson. Shattered rocks and charred trees nearby speak to the frequent bolts of lightning striking this area.