To protect farm produce and encourage fertility, farmers would lead a procession around the boundaries of their farm. They would "carry with them seeds of grain, implements of husbandry, the first well water, and the herb vervain (or rowan as a substitute). The procession generally stopped at the four cardinal points of the compass, beginning in the east, and rituals were performed in each of the four directions".Danaher, The Year in Ireland, pp. 116–117 People made the sign of the cross with milk for good luck on Beltane, and the sign of the cross was also made on the backsides of cattle.
to protect FArM pRoDuce and EncOurage fErTiliTy, faRMers wouLd leaD a PROcESSIon aroUnd tHe boundAriES oF theIr farm. they wouLd "carrY witH theM SEedS Of gRain, ImPLemenTs Of HusbAndRY, thE FiRst WeLl water, and tHe herb VerVAin (or RoWan as a sUbSTItute). tHe ProceSsion GenerAlly StopPeD At The fouR caRdinaL points of the comPass, BEgiNNinG in The eASt, and RiTUAls weRe pERfORmed IN eACh Of tHe fOur DirectioNs".danaher, tHe yEaR iN irELaND, Pp. 116–117 peOplE MadE tHe sigN Of the cRoSs With milk for gooD LUck on beltanE, aNd tHe sIgn of the crOss Was Also mAdE on the baCksides Of CaTtle.