29/04/2026
Beltane Blessings
To May Blossom and Bluebells, and Young Shoots from Old Roots,
As the fires burn on Beltane Eve, may you be filled with all the joys of Spring, and the anticipation of Summers days to come.
It is all too easy in present times to feel overwhelmed by all we hear and see, the sensationalism can often detract from the facts, and the facts can carry their own unwanted weight. These are all things we can not consciously ignore completely, but we can take a big step to one side, so it all becomes less “all consuming”. Let us tune out, opinions and actions, born by those seeking self indulgent glory, and in stead tune in, to the harmonic frequency of balance and unity.
For Beltane is such an uplifting time, full of growth and an ever changing landscape of colour, energy and vitality. A point where Spring, in her own time, makes the gently transformation in to Summer. When Nature shows her hand and waits for us to take it.
Spring has sprung, every hedge row and field, woodland and riverbank, are overflowing with life. The dawn chorus welcomes in each morning with a symphony, that gradually rises to a crescendo as Spring glides seamlessly towards the anticipation of Summer.
Walking as the sun is still rising in the sky, the air though fresh, finally feels as if it has shed the chill of winter, that has lingered long into Spring this year. Just ahead of us on the track, statue like stands Fox, gazing mesmerised down at the ground, where Oxlips and Bluebells provide a less than adequate cover for some small, unsuspecting rodent, oblivious to Fox’s gaze. With speed and admirable agility, a light spring and pounce, then off he trots, turning just once, as if to smile and let us know, he was well aware of us watching. I find it fascinating to try and imagine the depths of the sensual perception, so much greater than ours. That allows for such endeavours, If we could see smell in colours, imagine the zig zag trails that would weave across the land in every direction.
As the sun heightens in the sky a Grass Snake takes the opportunity to bask in the warmth, a perfectly symmetric patten adorns the long slender body, its delicate forked tongue flickering in and out tasting the air. Unconcerned by our passing.
Overflowing water from a near by stream, shimmers through broken slate and stone, a small group of mischievous Swifts take great delight in dipping down, splash landing and playful taking off, so quick and elegant.
Bee hives are a flurry of activity, New orders are being created, some heading for pastures new, it is fascinating to see them clustered protectively together in a nearby tree, waiting for the scouts to return from there search for new lodgings, while those that remain in the Hive get busy, a tireless formation of outgoing and incoming foragers. They are a delight to observe.
There are tail tail ripples on the pond, as newts break the surface and then return to the unseen depths, water snail eggs coat the undersides of the pond w**d. While the pair of Wagtails play at the waters edge.
A tiny Blue tit can be glimpsed diving into the old water pump, where it has made a nest, and the Jenny Wren, for ever the garden alarm, warns all in ear shot when our cat puts an appearance in, though she really prefers mice. !! As dusk arrives so do the little Bats, darting between the branches and over the pond, taking advantage of those insect drawn to the slowly rising moon.
As April leaves and May arrives The moon in her fullness raises the energies to a high point, and she seems to encourage us to take more time out for contemplation, allowing us to indulge ourselves in the moment. Slow down our thoughts, open up our perceptions and trust our instincts.
For with in us all there is a child that has never been tamed, never been controlled and defiantly never forgotten the magic that is all around us. Now more than ever, it is time to let our inner wild child out.
If we embrace the child, we embrace a freedom to explore with out circumscription, to enjoy the beauty of the season with out guilt, and to grow with confidence. Mother Earth in the hight of Spring is a sight to behold, to wonder at, and immerse our selves in. She is the giver of life, the nurturer of souls and the one who watches over all things. All we have to do is to allow our senses to experience everything through that child like, unburdened and creative mind.
Never be tied by constraints we did not choose, for we are the Universe, the Cosmos, little Stars that glint in the sky, we are tiny microbes, atoms and molecules. We are breath, we are life, we are love, we are compassion, we are of the Earth and the Earth is of us.