The second day of May and some of the hawthorn flowers are opening. With only a gentle breeze on this mornings walk, the scent from the flowers is lovely; the sweet perfume of May.
I have to apologise to everyone as I unwittingly quoted a bad link to Glennie Kindred’s website in my previous post. Here is the correct link. I hope you will look her up on her wonderful website:
Ashley
New greenery everywhere, White buds ready to burst into flower -- Hawthorn on May Day.
It’s May Day or if you follow an older ancient tradition, Beltain. The Hawthorn is just beginning to show a few flowers and my heart rejoices to know the Earth’s energies are stirring. I’m happy to celebrate this quickening of fertility and growth in my verse! Today is warmer and with many damp weeks behind us the flowers and trees are sending us a message: the summer is here!
In my attempts to write these 3 line verses I follow the ancient agricultural calendar which is also the Hokku calendar.*
In the Celtic Tree Ogham, Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) is the sixth tree: Huath, H. and it brings the spirit of wild places, even when growing in a town. As the seasons change I hope to include more references to the Tree Ogham.**
Happy Beltain, a time when Earth’s energies are at their most active. The Earth is alive, not just at the surface but in its depths.
Ashley
[So much of what I am learning about traditional Earth celebrations is down to the writings of Glennie Kindred and I give thanks to her for her love and blessings which I am returning to her through my verse]
https://www.glenniekindred.co.uk
* Through David Coomler’s wonderful writings on WordPress I continue to learn about Hokku. https://hokku.wordpress.com/2012/01/18/the-traditional-hokku-calendar-west-and-east/
** https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Ogham
Delicate white blossoms Cluster around dark needles - Blackthorn in flower.
It’s the Spring Equinox, when day and night are of equal length. A celebration of balance, of light and dark, inner and outer, of female and male.
I’ve written about the flowering stems of Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). Hidden by the small, dainty white flowers are sharp needle-like thorns on dark branches: light and dark, beauty and armour. This small native tree has far-reaching roots which produce many suckers creating impenetrable wide thickets, a natural guardian tree from which we learn to respect boundaries.
I give thanks to Mother Earth: in my hands, my heart, and my mind, are all the elements of the Universe.
Ashley
Muscari blooms, Sheltered from the evenings snow; Spring delights!
I was working on this verse when Mark Scott’s seasonal blog arrived. Here is a link to his wonderful blog:
https://naturalistweekly.com/2023/03/10/micro-season-the-first-peach-blossoms-2023/
Ashley
A dark silhouette; Beneath the tree's bark, The sap is rising.
Walking around Moira Demesne on a bitterly cold morning, I couldn’t resist taking a photo of this tree. Against the grey sky, it’s dark silhouette looked foreboding, like something out of a fairy tale. Perhaps, one day, I might write a story about it.
Ashley
PS. Yes, I know! I’m a day late in publishing! 🥴
For now the little snow has gone, Leaving snowdrops on the lawn; Springtime.
To all who visit here, have a wonderful spring season.
Ashley
As the days grow longer, Low lying fields are flooded -- The Earth is awakening.
The dim light of afternoon Quickly fades; The shortest day.
It’s the Winter Solstice today, the shortest day, and the longest night of the year. From this day onwards the daylight begins a slow and initially almost imperceptible lengthening. Whatever religion or culture one follows, surely this day is worth celebrating?
Up from the earth, Down from the sky, The circle of life surrounds us.
With the light increasing, there will be within us an awakening: the dark turning into the light; a notion that the hibernation of winter will end; the old year is dying and a new year is being born.
Stand in the circle, Dance in the light, Embrace our place in the cosmos.
Ashley
It’s the ending and the beginning of the Celtic year also known as the Autumn Cross-Quarter or Halloween. A magical time when the veil between the seen and the unseen world becomes thin; when the line between matter and spirit is blurred.
It's almost dawn, As the grey sky Reaches down to the earth. In the garden, The rain washes every leaf And dimples the dull puddles. Sacred moments, As Mother Earth reveals herself, Communing with the world, and me.
I will be taking a break from posting here but plan to return for the Winter Solstice on the 21st of December. However, I shall continue to read and comment on those regular blogs that I follow. Until then, keep well and safe.
Ashley
A Different View 