Greetings and felicitations, fellow Ryeotians! As the community’s first out-of-the-broom-closet witch, I’d like to take the opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Joyous Beltaine on this grand and glorious First of May!
For many Pagans and Wiccans in the tri-state area, Beltaine is the feast of the joining of the Goddess & God, female & male, and fertility abounds. Have you ever REALLY looked at a Maypole? (nod, wink)
It is the designation of “spring fever”. Today marks the beginning of the growing season, and yes, the tomatoes are in the garden, the lilacs are budding, birds are nesting and pollen is dancing in the breeze. May first is the halfway point on the calendar between the Spring Equinox, March 22nd (Ostara) and the Summer Solstice, June 21st (Litha).
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Pre-Christian pagans of Europe would have lit fires for celebrations all though the night. There would be dancing around the Maypole, (mayhap to meet your true love), singing of bawdy songs, and the mead would flow freely. They would have selected a king and queen to represent the forces of nature joining to facilitate a bountiful harvest in the fall. Think “Mists of Avalon”.
They would have partied like its 999.
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Today, we’ll uncover the motorcycle, clean off the barbeque grill and perhaps ride around with the top down (convertibles, that is) and get the boat to the marina. We'll go to Prom and plan June weddings. Even the dog will get to the groomer.
For an arts & crafts project, we'll make fairy houses in the garden to honor Nature sprites.
However you celebrate, do it with gusto. The season is full of potential for growth, healing and love.
A toast for your Beltaine libation from Pauline Campanelli:
To the glory of May
To our Lady and Lord
In perfect union
And in perfect love
Do we drink this wine of May
To the Gods
Blessed be,
Doreen
