Spring
One of my dear readers actually said she was looking forward to hearing about my Beltane celebrations. See what happens when you comment? It’s been a whirlwind of a week since I last posted. The weather has almost been as crazy as the schedule! Here’s the recap with editorial commentary about the season.
When we celebrate Beltane in my Wiccan tradition we make a may wine for the chalice. Traditionally this starts with a Rhine wine but I’ve found I like a lighter voignier. We infuse this with strawberries and woodruff.
Woodruff blooms in England at this time of year but it’s always at least up in my yard. I maintain that woodruff is one of those smart herbs, something you can predict planting weather by watching. This year as I went out in the May 1st snow to gather my herbs it was barely peeking out of the ground.
Too early!
After a snowy morning we spent the evening at Circus Juventas.
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How can you not think of spring with butterflies coming out of their silk cocoons and bright colors rolling across the floor?
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These kids were spectacular and it was definitely a great way to spend an evening.
A mood altering cacophony of colors and lights.
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Thursday was Pagan Coming Out Day. Because it isn’t safe for everyone with alternative religious practices to tell their families, or their employers, or sometimes even their children, this day serves to encourage those who can to “come out”. By identifying publicly as Pagans we demystify the religion. When it stops being a scary myth and becomes about someone you know it’s easier for people to begin to accept the idea that we’re out there for real.
The great thing about making this an event is that it’s provided a support for people choosing to stick their tows in the water. It’s also become resource center for Human Resources departments asking questions about how to deal with employees claiming unfamiliar religious holidays. We had dinner out with one of the organizers at a local family friendly pub.
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It snowed yet again on Friday. Most of what I got was gone by the afternoon, but just east of here there was as much as 12″ on the ground.
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The coven celebrated the holiday on Saturday with flower crowns and may wine. One of our devoted coven members got up at dawn for fishing opener. We had fresh trout for feast, caught standing in 6″ of snow left over from the day before.
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Sunday was the Heart of the Beast May Day Celebration. (I talked about this last week.) It was a beautiful sunny day in the park. Eventually coats came off as we welcomed the sun.
I have it on good authority that the weather has truly turned and spring has arrived. We will have rain rather than snow and warm sunshine to light our digging in the dirt. I’m looking forward to spending some time outside!
Posted on May 6, 2013, in seasonal, Spring, wicca and tagged Beltane, Circus, Circus Juventas, Heart of the Beast, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre, May crowns, may day, May wine, Puppets, woodruff. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
Oh what a fun post, Lisa! Sounds like you had a wonderful week celebrating with the spirit of land and spirit and pagan joy. So happy that we live in a place where it is possible to worship and believe as our hearts call. thank you for sharing.
You guys need to come out and invite me. I like celebrating.
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