Beltane 2020

Today is Beltane (aka May Day), the gateway to Summer. Fertility is the central theme of this sabbat, for humans, plants, and animals. May is when farmers begin to plant their fields, and the season for their children to pair up; it's said that May Day romances make June weddings. I went on a Beltane walk in the Dykeman Spring Nature Park this morning. Everything is greening up and blooming, and bird song filled the air - Cardinals, Robins, Yellow Warblers, Red-winged Blackbirds, Catbirds, and both House and Carolina Wrens were the dominant voices, but I heard a couple of Orioles and some Red-bellied Woodpeckers as well, and saw a few Goldfinches. And the turtles have emerged! I saw about three Painted Turtles (and got a nice close-up shoot with one of them) and a couple of big ol' Snapping Turtles in the bog pool next to the north duck pond. Mama Gaia was celebrating Beltane with a lot of panache today! 

Gray Catbird

Lilacs by the north duck pond

The Painted Turtles have emerged from hibernation

Mama Redwing was busy building a nest...

... and Papa Redwing stood by to supervise.

An Eastern Kingbird sat quietly in the Kentucky Coffee Tree and allowed me to take his portrait.

And I have some Beltane/May Day music for you as well. Loreena McKennitt's "Huron Beltane Fire Dance" is a welcome addition to any Beltane celebration. This video is from her 2006 concert at the Alhambra, and that's Hugh Marsh on the frenzied violin!

One of my favorite songs for Beltane/May day is "Hal-an-tow", a tune from Cornwall sung to welcome the first day of May and the start of Summer, as well as a farewell to Winter. This is my favorite version, sung by the Glasgow Madrigirls.

Have a blessed Beltane and a happy May Day!

Photos © 2020 by A. Roy Hilbinger