Bealtaine Blessings on this First Day of May
A Cara (Dear Friend),
Thank you to everyone who visited The Meadow during DUMBO’s Open Studios last weekend. It was an awesome event, so well attended and featuring so much vibrant and inspirational artwork. The Meadow enjoyed a steady stream of visitors on both Saturday and Sunday, greeting many familiar as well as new faces. If you are new to The Meadow, welcome! And happy May Day!
In Ireland, this first day of May is known as Bealtaine, the Celtic festival that celebrates the month of May. On the first of May, we step fully into the light on a day that marks the midpoint between the Spring Equinox and the Summer Solstice. Traditionally, the cows in Ireland were moved to their summer pastures on Bealtaine. The cows were often decorated with white and yellow flower garlands from the blooming primrose, hawthorne, and rowan trees. People also adorned their thresholds with flowers on this day to mark a season associated with joy, pleasure, passion, and abundance.
One translation of the word Bealtaine is "mouth of fire." And Lord knows the Irish can be quite fiery with their words. But I also see this word containing the seed of alchemy, the potential for transformation. Our words can and do have real impact on the wider world. Can we harness the power of language for the greater good, using words to cut through to the core truth of why we’re here?
Bealtaine is also time when we fully emerge from the slow and still depths of winter and give birth to some new possibility within ourselves. It is a time when our ideas and dreams may take actual shape in the material world. What was once only a sense of inspiration can transmute into concrete action. All action involves some degree of risk. Ideally our actions will emerge from the wisdom and sovereignty we cultivated in the deep winter.
May we all find ways to contribute to the blossoming and flourishing of all life. May we cultivate more joy, more pleasure, more kindness, and more love, not less. These feeling states are not frivolous. They are actually tools of resistance and resilience at at a time when the powers that be would benefit from our shutting down. Have courage!
At The Meadow, we plan to celebrate spring and the spirit of Bealtaine with a Botanical Brunch on Saturday, May 10th at 11AM to 1PM. Our gathering will offer you a chance to arrange your own expressive still life using flowers from our Botanical Buffet. Then you can use a variety of mixed media to create your own expressive still life portrait. This is a great way to celebrate spring and nurture yourself as this gorgeous season unfolds. We will follow our own intuition and heart’s desire as we we create these authentic expressions. The workshop will include mindfulness and conversational prompts so you can connect with yourself and one another. Come on your own or bring your mom, your bestie, or your kiddo. This activity is designed to bring joy and refresh the spirit in a time that feels pretty heavy.
Please join us on Saturday, May 10th!
Beannachtaí na Bealtaine leat/Bealtaine blessings to you all!
Julie