The Season of the May

first peach blossoms

Now is the last week of May.
This month all the flowers and trees came back, reminding us of the renewal of life.
That it does come back, that winter ends and summer returns with lush greenery,
is an incredible miracle not taken for granted.

young man carries away the Maypole for another year

Now it is June. There have been warm days, but still many cool grey ones.
Birds sing all the time and it is dark until past nighttime.

danced Maypole

But then it was just beginning.
A bud or flower here, a bit of color there, a single bird song.
Each new discovery magical delight. 
Grateful to be here.
Still blinking at the light and slow to start.

Notes written on the back of an envelope maybe the day after ritual
to try and remember: 

Bear season

Cleaning but trying not to stress.
Maypole broken but trying not to stress. 
Flowers blooming by the hour.
Storm from the night before gone.
Cooler air.

Walking barefoot on moss.
Walking with handfuls of colored ribbons.
Tying knots with intention, 
repairing the Maypole strings.
Weekend coffee.
It's been very hot.

Getting ready to crack eggs
she arrives and we are whole.

Talking about the past, what was and wasn't,
old hurts and illness.
Clearing the air of sadness.

She arrives with more eggs.
We eat pie.
They arrive and we all just eat. 

He wakes up and goes back to bed.

Sometimes it's not all figured out.
Sometimes it's just now.

Where to have ritual and when?
The Nemeton is nice and we haven't been there in a while,
but it is full sun and we are simple.
Let's process there and back and see what we see
alive and growing.
Asparagus! Strawberry flowers! Fiddleheads! Mud!

It's great to be alive.

First offering not to forget & to honor the Earth Mother-
old colostrum from beautiful cows and frozen in a blue jar.
Egg shells and odd eggs for the Directions-
the newness of the East, the love and care and compassion of the South, the setting sun and thoughtfulness and the Bear of the West, the winter and cold and healing of the North, & the up and down and center.

A deep meditation
being connected very strongly to the Earth
and to the self.

Pennies on the land kerplunk into the Well.
More colostrum for the Tree.
Garlic stalk and bacon fat for the Fire.

A good fire.
A strong hot bright orange fire. 
Wind-whipped but not dangerous or smokey.
Never out of control,
the heat of the flames made us slow down
with honored respect for power.

Lamb chops for the Outsiders-
feast across the road please
and trouble us not.

Old rosemary and her peat for Bridget.
Flowers for everyone.

Her hydrangeas from last season
and a whirlwind of ash
spiraling around us.

Her reading Shel Silverstein-
Put in Something Funny.
Her putting in sugar candies for everything.

Her crone walk-
the rocks are crones.
And the Earth.
Babies and Maidens and Mothers and Crones.
All valued. 

Rose petals from the healing bouquets.
Sharing heart and connection.
Smoke through the hollow reeds,
gentle and strong at the same time.

Bacon sacrifice,
bringing it home & cooking it up.
Fat and protein.
Blooming time,
even though we are not 16.
We are still now.

 

A powerful peaceful ritual.
So much gratitude and never enough.
Learning about letting go.
And speaking up.
Learning about being here now.



Our Omens:

From Our Beloved Dead: Berkanu- Birch, Beginnings, Birth
From the Spirits of Nature & Place: Daguz- Day, Midday, a Clear View
From the Gods & Godesses:Isa-Ice, Cool, Slippery, Transparent, Solid
For the Season of the May: Gibor- the Giver! the Sacrifice, the Gift.