Graveyard, lounge and bare.

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1. Went to Bessels Green Unitarian Church to support some of the pagans who were leading the service there to mark Beltane. The church is very rather plain and very homely, and obviously very much loved. The paint is fresh and the whole place is immaculate - it's cleaned by someone who loves their job, I think. But best of all, the graveyard has been allowed to do its own thing - apart from the grass being cut. It is an ancient meadow, and there are herbs and flowers of all kinds growing among the grass - I counted at least six different kinds of grass.

2. A big fat Sunday paper and a pot of coffee.

3. Walking out of the house for the first time with no coat or jumper. It's my favourite thing about May.

Comments

  1. Christine BorneTuesday, May 03, 2005

    hiya Clare-

    I had very much wanted to go see the crazy Beltane fire festivities in Edinburgh this year (I just missed it last year - my sister lives in England and I come over as often as possible). There's something very special about the time around Beltane for me - I always feel metaphysically poised for something very big indeed....

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  2. KatieTuesday, May 03, 2005

    Having a picnic and then falling asleep in the field while Jonathan was fishing. The sun kept me warm, and the dog managed to sit still for over half an hour without running riot. Amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  3. ClareTuesday, May 03, 2005

    Katie, your beautiful things - as always - are a joy. Thank you!

    Christine, I know exactly what you mean about Beltane. I reckon it's the sunshine. Everything seems so full of possibilities. I've never been to the festivities in Edinburgh. Sometime soon...

    While we were preparing for this church service, we did quite a bit of thinking about what Beltane means. This is my account:

    Beltane for me is a time for sowing seeds. I will have prepared my plot around Imbolc (start of February), clearing out and tilling the soil. Now summer is starting, it's time to get moving on whatever it is I want to achieve. This is a time for moving on with a project.

    I'll be spending more time outside, and I'm looking forward to feeling warm the sun on my back. It's also time to crack open the summer wardrobe and put away winter things. It's time to look your very best and to enjoy being in your skin. I'll be having my hair done, going to see the beautician and thinking about taking a bit more exercise now it's easier to enjoy the open air.

    All those things you've heard about maypoles? They're true. Sap moves at Beltane - in trees and in people, too. As winter clothes come off we start to appreciate ourselves and each other. Any newspaper astrologer will tell you that predictions of 'lucky in love' in May often come true.

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