Beltane

Today is the 1st of May, Beltane, the height of spring. In the north life is returning, the blackthorn has been in bloom, bright yellow gorse covers the hills filling the air with its sweet scent, bees are buzzing busily around and are out of hibernation. The trees are flushing, some coming into the green and some carrying the promise of tomorrows fresh new growth. Here in Rogart spring is around 2 weeks behind those further south in the uk. I am in Glasgow just now and took a walk last night in the hills where I experienced a sneak preview of cherry blossom and May flower, delicious scents filling the air, bringing a feeling of excitement for the spring and the rising energy that comes with it.

Beltane symbolises the divine union of the masculine and feminine energies, the sacred courtship, the coming together of ying and yang. It is synonymous with fertility as the land becomes rich with life again. Beltane fires were lit to cleanse animals in the purifying smoke as they went back out to pasture, humans would dance around the fire some jumping over it to cleanse the vestiges of winter away and hoping it would bring fertility to their life and to the land. Beltane sits opposite Samhain in the wheel of the year and like Samhain the veil between the world is at its thinnest making it a prevalent time of year for connection to the other than human world.

As I reflect I think of the fertility that is blossoming in my life, the growth and emergence of seeds planted a few weeks ago is exciting to watch and it feels like my energy levels are returning. Today I count my blessings, greatful for the opportunities that lie before me and when I arrive home tonight I will light a fire and take time to connect with the land that I now call home. Which parts of the vestiges of winter need cleansing from your life and what new growth is around you that you might want to celebrate and what is rich and fertile in your life that needs tending to as the year unfolds.

Blessed Beltane