Beltane, May Day 2018

April 30th - May 1st

Sunset to Sunset.

"Beltane honours Life. It represents the peak of Spring and the beginning of Summer. Earth energies are at their strongest and most active. All of life is bursting with potent fertility and at this point in the Wheel of the Year, the potential becomes conception. On May Eve the sexuality of life and the earth is at its peak. Abundant fertility, on all levels, is the central theme. The Maiden goddess has reached her fullness. She is the manifestation of growth and renewal, Flora, the Goddess of Spring, the May Queen, the May Bride. The Young Oak King, as Jack-In-The-Green, as the Green Man, falls in love with her and wins her hand. The union is consummated and the May Queen becomes pregnant. Together the May Queen and the May King are symbols of the Sacred Marriage (or Heiros Gamos), the union of Earth and Sky, and this union has merrily been re-enacted by humans throughout the centuries. For this is the night of the Greenwood Marriage. It is about sexuality and sensuality, passion, vitality and joy. And about conception. A brilliant moment in the Wheel of the Year to bring ideas, hopes and dreams into action. And have some fun....."

- Beltane

The Sunday just past was the Farmers' Market Opening, and the Nettle Festival on the Prairie Front. The Maypole pictured above was wound that day, and today the sun shines mid-morning of Beltane. While people gathered and parked their cars from gate opening to hilltop, and wound the ribbons round the May Pole Pete and I took ourselves away leaving a note wishing our Tilth community a 'great market opening.'

Preparing for the market opening was a month-long process for us starting with the digging of the trench (to replace the extension cord that ran across the grass from kitchen to vardo); re-aligning the entrance; organizing chemical-sensitive painting; scheduling myself away while mowing and machines came; hauling in gravel for potholes; and removing our kitchen presence for the weekend, etc. April was a month of transitions and a steep learning curve of adjustments and work. Once all the preparation was done we packed ourselves into our Subaru and boarded the ferry.

We are learning to create a bigger picture of life from our golden wagon, sharing space, making adjustments, pacing the climb, finding time for fun.

In Hawaii, it is May Day and Lei Day, an annual event begun 91 years ago.

Traditions for spring are different where ever you might find yourself. I think of May Day when I was a girl, and remember the May Pole winding even then. But, I had no story of its origin though I do remember the FUN of it and am glad to know examples of blending traditions can, did, and do continue. A nod of remembrance to my kupuna, my lei seller Tutu Mokihana and my Ma. What lei you must have strung and sold on May Day 💗

"Beltane is a good time for bringing hopes, dreams and aspirations to life, and here is a truly beautiful charm to help you bring these into manifestation." Click on the link to learn more about traditions and practices for Beltane

Satori lays out an astrological approach to manifestation this week, with no mention of Beltane. But the winding of pagan celebration with astrological divination has a complementary twang to it, so I dig it!

" Did you know that if you share a passion before it’s fully ripe, you’re less likely to follow through? That’s just one of many good reasons to keep some things private.

You’ll get more steam out of broader topics than you will by yammering on about yourself. This is not the time to tell it like it is, because the bigger picture is still over the peak of the hill ahead. Don’t rush to judgement or gossip (or if you really want to gossip, keep it light and airy). Let the energy build slowly over time. Don’t waste it in a twitchy reaction.

Wait and see. Capitalize on maintaining your pace. If you come across a chance to make a positive move, make the move. But do it easy, with that same nimble precision as goats do climbing a seemingly flat rock face. It’s not a shoot for the Moon reward week; it’s a stretch for a tasty nibble time. But that tasty nibble is exhilarating and fun.

Trust your path and believe in your unseen destination. Look for a better understanding of the bigger picture. If you must broadcast your thoughts, keep them simple and life affirming."

Happy Beltane, Happy May Day Lei Day.

xo Moki and Pete

Is a bigger picture growing in your world?