Hooray, Hooray, the First of May...

There is not much in our world that is more uplifting and energizing than early May, when warm weather sets in, light is strong, plants emerge, and birds and bees are out doing their thing… The air is thick with fertility and sensuality.

(This applies, of course, to the northern temperate zones, where there are distinct seasons. Much of the pagan lore of the cycles of the year are based on the climate of Northern Europe. Our apologies to those in other climates, where although the principles are the same, the metaphors and symbols may vary.)

At this time of fertility, the power of the Earth is moving towards creation and new growth. Everything wants to unfold, life wants to reproduce. This underlines and amplifies the importance of our role in creation, of what we put into motion. Our thoughts, desires, fantasies all have more power behind them at this time. Whether they will firmly take root, and grow into life supporting abundance, or whether they will eventually wither and die, choked by weeds or starved for nutrients, we don’t yet know. Right now is the time for sprouting.

We have the responsibility, to ourselves and to the world, to plant our intentions consciously. We might know what we intend to plant, those seeds of hope and compassion and future abundance. We might not be so aware of the other seeds, those invasive seeds of anger and resentment, envy and insecurity. Those seeds have the power of this fertile time behind them as well.

There is a traditional Beltane ritual of young couples jumping over a fire. That is said to enhance fertility, to ensure abundant offspring. These fires are also cleansing, healing. We need, especially at this time, to carefully look at ourselves, at what is really motivating us, at what we really want. We need to go through those fires of passion to cleanse our seeds, to purify our intensions, to ensure that we are planting seeds of compassion, love, gratitude.

Pay attention. Look around you and see what strife is in the world. Now look at what you are planting, and know, that every thought, every feeling, every wish, becomes our harvest later…

Blessings, Abundance, and Health be yours,
David & Nan