Basking in Light of Beltane
A Year of Noticing - Day 221
The first day of May is honoured and celebrated in many traditions around the world, one being the Pagan Gaelic fire festival of Beltane, to honour and celebrate the many vibrant ways that spring is beginning to flourish as all of nature begins to blossom, awaken and journey towards summer.
This is a celebration about welcoming the light, embracing the warmth, and celebrating the return of the fertility of the land, and all the animals entering their birthing and herding seasons. Perhaps in this celebration of fertility, there may be new ideas and creativity being birthed at the same time!
Today marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and summer solstice, which means we are now entering the lightest and brightest time of the year! Hooray!
In this day which marks a turning point from the cold, dark days of winter to the warmer days of spring, the temperatures dipped below freezing with a cold, harsh wind. I decided to head out to bask in the setting sun, within the warmth of the vehicle this evening as I experienced both the cold and the light… the transition doesn’t just happen over night.
As I stopped on the side of a country road, my gaze shifted up past the setting sun, beyond the clouds, into the clear sky above and I noticed the crescent moon glowing brightly in the reflection of the setting sun.
The sun was setting after nine o’clock, and this fills me with so much delight to know that there are still another six weeks of longer days, more sunlight, and so much rapid growth during this next season! The buds are still just barely starting to open, and I haven’t seen any leaves bursting out quite yet… but it is coming!
As I ponder back to chasing the sunset at the spring equinox, I was full of hope with the growing light… and these past six weeks have reminded me of how long the emergence of spring takes. Through the growing light, there is also still a feeling of retreat through the cold and messy weeks. I noticed that for me, this sunset felt much more invigorating, energizing and spring energy of new growth, new life, new beginnings feels palpable, and closer within reach.
What is coming alive within you as we enter this next season?
xo
Below are the other transition points throughout this Year of Noticing - Imbolc, Spring Equinox, Winter Solstice and Samhain…
Dancing Between Winter and Spring
Today marks the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox. Six and a half weeks from the start of winter and six and a half weeks until the official start of spring.
Along the Path: Equinox Epiphanies and Reflecting on Noticing
At 4:01 am (Central Time), where I live, was the offical Spring Equinox today. A day where there is balance - equal time from sunrise to sunset; a shift in season; and…
Winter Solstice: Reflecting on a Season of Noticing
Winter solstice, the longest night of the year as now the days begin to lengthen with more light again. Today also marks an entire season that I have been writing and sharing little reflections every day.
A Year of Noticing - Day 39
Today I noticed some tall trees that still had vibrant yellow leaves, and they also caught my eye because they were much taller than the other trees around them. I think they may have been aspen (or trembling aspen as my children like to call them). I looked up and noticed how spectacular the sky looked, and the different layers and levels of colour!