Day 209 of 365 - May Day

Gosh, here we are in May already.  I can hardly believe it!  The first day of May is celebrated in different forms in many countries, primarily in the form of rituals to welcome spring.  In Ireland it is Beltane, a fire feast traditionally to bless the fertility of cattle and to bring people good luck.  In England, there is Maypole dancing, Morris dancing and crowning of a May Queen.

This first day of May is also celebrated for other purposes.  Some churches celebrate it in honor of Mary, Queen of May.  It is the feast day of St. Joseph the Worker and also International Workers Day.  Some places choose to have General Strikes for various purposes on this date to catalyze grass roots movements upholding the rights of workers and the general populace.

But, traditionally, it is yet another significant marker of the warm, fertile growing season.  Due to our rather gloomy and chilly spring where I live, it is not exactly much of a herald.  Our forecast today though, is supposed to reach the highest temperature yet this spring, with potential thunderstorms.

Usually, by now, I will have gotten a start on spring cleaning and purging.  However, I have simply not been motivated.  There has just not been enough SUN this spring to energize us and get us going for more than very brief periods, when we want to rush out like zombies coming out of tombs to feel its rays upon our faces.

Now, I am feeling some pressure, simply by virtue of the date on the calendar.  I do hope we have a long warm season this year, since it might be nearly June by the time I get much done.

Spring cleaning is definitely easier when there is less clutter around, so maybe I will start from that angle.  I've accumulated some odds and ends, but need to designate a block of time to actually gather things together and get them to other people or a donation center.

The Inner Links website has a monthly newsletter in which they designate an Angel of the Month from their deck of Angel Cards.  The Angel of May is Simplicity.  The message is : 'Simply be yourself.  Look past the fanfare and drama to what is enduring.  Take time to clarify what is important to you and let non-essentials fall away.'

I like that message and think I will use it to guide me in my spring clearing and cleaning pursuits.  If I want to enjoy the warm season when it finally arrives, I'll need to prioritize so that too much of my time is not spent with my head in cupboards or closets.

I will want to get my face out in the sun, when it finally shows up for awhile.

Happy May Day!  May you be inspired to be yourself, and to let the non-essentials fall away.

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