Mid-Spring: An Exhuberance of New Life

Lunar Beltane occurs this year on May 17 along along with the full moon (the astronomical date for this midpoint is closer to May 5 - 7,  but can vary).  Celtic traditions speak of this as a cross-quarter day, marking the midpoint in the Sun's progress between spring equinox and summer solstice. Beltane means bright fire and was a Celtic festival of fire celebrating fertility.  It was known as a great celebration in the spirit of love and spring.

Navajo Lightning Boy depicted in sand 

Now, by midspring, the storms have stilled.  There is a new calmness and sense of confidence in the air.  Tentative buds and unfurling in their fragrant abundance.

Throughout time and cultures world-wide Midspring is a festival season related to new life and the tree of life.  Maia, for whom this month is named, can be traced back to Maya, the pre-Vedic mistress of perceptual reality who was the virgin mother of the Buddha.  The Greek goddess Maia was the virgin mother of Hermes.  Blessed Virgin Mary is patroness of the month of May, which the early church dedicated to her.  The Brazilian May Day celebration is a marriage between the European Maypole and West African Universal Tree of Life.  (this paragraph based on Celestially Auspicious Occasions by Donna Henes)

spring dune flower, Sedona, AZ

For the Hopi peoples, they are finishing the final spring plantings and their Kachina spirits have returned to the Plaza to spring blessings for all beings and help encourage growth.

Fresh hope emerges with the new life of Midspring.

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Photos by Sandra Cosentino.
We acknowledge season change with Ancestor Wisdom Circles and Circles of Power.