May Day and the Celtic Fire Festival of Spring Beltane are ancient traditions that celebrate the coming of the Light, new growth and seasonal beginnings. Not only did people joyfully dance around the May Pole, but couples jumped the fire as part of spring mating rituals.
Read MoreI have lovely memories of my dad and I walking through nearby woods to gather the first flowers of spring. Then my mom and I would make construction paper baskets so I could deliver May Day bouquets to neighbors and loved ones.
But we had nothing like a Beltane festival. Writing about Beltane is a bit like writing about Christmas; the holiday has so many different traditions and its celebrations have many layers of meaning. And, like Americans celebrating Memorial day, for some it has great meaning, for others, it is just a picnic in the park.
I love the calming stare of a cow chewing its cud quietly and steadily. I know how central the cow is to daily life. The quiet, constancy of this animal as it provides us with daily milk, butter and cream is rather astonishing when you think about it.
Read MoreI had never seen a bonfire built so elaborately. The huge mound of were for wooden doors, one in each direction, each with a beautifully painted animal representing that direction. While the fire was awesome, as soon as the painted creatures caught flame, there was a gasp from the crowd and a tear came to my eye- a tear not of sadness but of appreciation, appreciation for the seasons of our lives.
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