beltain

Beltain 2025

~ Ashley ~ 48 Comments

Describing this pagan Cross Quarter festival, it is probably best that I quote from Glennie Kindred’s book** Sacred Earth Celebrations.  She describes this period as “a celebration of the fertility and rampant potency of the life force.”  Goodness, how accurate that is!  Stepping out into our little garden, I wonder at Mother Earth’s amazing energy during these days.

(Please click on the images to view clearly) 👀

These photos show the 7ft hedge that is currently fizzing with new growth. It’s an old hedge, as it was here on our northern boundary 20 years ago when we moved in. Somewhere in there, are a couple of old unknown trees that a previous owner of the house must have chopped down, and that has allowed the ivy to flourish. Also, there is privet, holly, beech and some blackthorn. I love it, because it accommodates so much nature as a food source and a place of safety for so many insects like butterflies and bees! The downside is that it is also about 6ft in depth and as someone who cuts the hedge with a pair of shears…..well, it can be a chore. I gave up garden machinery many years ago but if I’m honest, it helps me to keep mobile. Another joy is that garden birds also use the hedge for safety and for nesting. We are currently being entertained by juvenile sparrows, a robin and several species of young tits.


The sky is filled with birdsong,
The trees and hedges, greening;
Mother Earth is bourgeoning.

Happy May Day.

Ashley

** Find out more at: http://www.glenniekindred.co.uk

Beltain 2024

~ Ashley ~ 59 Comments

Hawthorn tree beltain


Beltain,
Welcome to summer;
Rain!

After weeks of grey skies and rain, we’re now seeing a change in the weather.  Of course, change is never straightforward and whilst warmer days are on their way, there are sure to be some surprises!  On the last day of April, it rained constantly, and today the first day of May, the sun is shining!

In the ancient agricultural calendar, Beltain, or the Festival of Fertility, is usually celebrated at the end of April and the beginning of May and marked as the beginning of summer.  It is a time to celebrate the power of the life force; everything is growing and showing!  The energy of unions, whether spiritual or physical is alive!  The picture of the hawthorn tree, Crataegus monogyna, is relevant to this festival as it brings the spirit of wild places into our lives.  The haunt of fairies makes it a magical tree!

The hawthorn is tolerant of strong winds, dry and wet conditions.  A small , thorny deciduous tree with small white fragrant flowers; hermaphrodite (both male and female) reinforcing the association with balance and unions.  It is also known as the Maythorn or May Tree.  Its wood is tough and fine grained sometimes used as a veneer.

 Midges,
Dancing above the May tree;
Summer.
 

I’m a bit late with this post as I was out all day yesterday on a garden visit.  More of that soon!  That is as long as my photos have come out; it was a very overcast day!

Happy May Day.

Ashley

Beltain 2023

~ Ashley ~ 44 Comments

1 hawthorn

2 hawthorn

3 hawthorn (2)

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.**

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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

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