A Little Beltane Ritual

May 1 is the cross-quarter, halfway between Spring equinox and summer solstice. In our part of the world at this time we see signs of growth returning to the natural world, and gardeners are thinking

Photo credit Katie Replogle

about seeds. Depending on how risk tolerant they are, depending on whether you live on a hill or in a valley, some Gardeners are putting their seeds and their seedlings in the ground this weekend, others will wait until later in May.

For those of us who are not gardeners, still the cycles of nature are wonderful symbols of the cycles of the spirit. For our spirits this has been a long tough winter, and a long tough spring. And it is starting to seem like summer is not going to be quite what we imagined. There are a lot of things we can’t control right now, so it’s especially important to focus our attention on the places in our lives where we are changing and growing. Look out the window and notice that while much of human endeavor is “on a pause” the natural world is growing greener each day. Those of you with lawns to mow it might seem like too much green growth.

So let’s take some time this morning to think which seeds of intention we want to plant this year. What would you like to see grow in your life in the coming months? Are there relationships you’d like to grow? Are there qualities in yourself you’d like to grow? Would you like to grow in advocacy for others? Are there things you’d like to learn?

As you come up with an intention, you might want to make that intention more concrete for yourself by finding a seed you'd like to plant.  Hold your seed and imagine that intention filling that seed. If you don't have a seed, you can write your intention on a scrap of paper.

I encourage you to plant that seed in a pot or patch of earth, or put your scrap of paper in the earth, remembering your intention as you do. Hold your hands on the dirt for a moment, and ask the earth to hold and support the growth of your intention. Offer a personal prayer of gratitude.

Blessings for a fertile and abundant growing season, for you and for the earth.