Remembering we are Nature – A Season of Joy

By Kelly Peacey

As spring now moves on to become summer, we see more colour and light in our world. It is an exciting time, as nature is potent with energy and vibrancy. In May, you can expect to see wildflowers like cowslip, dandelions, and my favourite — buttercups — which bring memories of childhood play, like holding the flower under someone’s chin to see if they like butter. The reflection of yellow under the chin didn’t prove anything, other than that it was very reflective of light.

Another childhood myth was that if you sat on dandelions, it would make you want to pee. I have always avoided sitting on them for fear of being caught short of reaching a toilet. Interestingly, in folklore, dandelion leaf tea was prepared medicinally as a diuretic to increase urine flow.

At this time, we also see bees and butterflies, and a return of birds like swallows, swifts, and house martins that had migrated to avoid our cold winters. If you are lucky enough to live rurally, you may be enjoying the morning birdsong, which will have increased significantly in volume.

This time of year can feel like a magical time for some, and like nature, we are naturally drawn out of our shell to become social butterflies — you might even be thinking of getting out your BBQ as you read this.

For many, now is a joyous time, and we know that there are many traditions around the celebration of Beltane: a festival that celebrates life, fertility, and the coming of summer. This point of celebration in the wheel of the year is exactly the midpoint between the Spring Equinox (when night and day are equal) and the Summer Solstice (the longest day of the year).

One such tradition in some villages was to choose a maiden to be May Queen. She represented the Earth, who was ‘married’ to the chosen male, who was dressed up as the Green Man. He was symbolic of the Sun, which encouraged green on Earth and in nature. It was believed that this enactment would ensure a future of abundance. For modern practising Pagans, Beltane is the most auspicious day for tying the knot, or what they call handfasting, to declare their loyalty and love to a partner.

Another tradition some of you might recall is Maypole dancing, whereby villagers would hold ribbons attached to the top of the pole and perform specific dances that weaved the coloured ribbons in a pattern around the pole.

The reason I write this is for two reasons —

• In a world of uncertainty and chaos, it does us good to remember we are part of nature, and that being in nature — acknowledging the birdsong or bright orange dandelions — helps us to centre in the moment and let go of the to-do lists.

• Perhaps we could look around and celebrate the things that are going okay for us — or perhaps write a list of things that bring us joy. The attitude of gratitude is long known to raise our mood.