In 1895 workers were still being honored.
And back into deep history, the pagans would celebrate the springtime with sharing flowers, dancing a May-pole dance, or washing their faces with the first dew of morning.
2008 intergenerational Maypole dance at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Swannanoa Valley
Some years back I was happy to celebrate the wheel of the year's springtime rituals (I'm on the left in black lace in the last photo.)
There were perhaps some bonfires lit on May eve last night somewhere, with young dancers who might or might not remember that the old ritual included walking the cattle through the smoke of fires before setting them out for their summer pastures...perhaps to kill off any vermin. And the other aspect of spring's arrival would be the coupling of humans in the woods of May eve! The story of the king's mating with the goddess was also linked to May Day.
Today our myths should add how we are all stewards of this earth, and all her beings of flora or fauna. Our ecological consciousness is invited to remember that our children's future, and that of their children unto the seventh generation (I like borrowing phrases from other sources!) depends on our saving what is left of the world of nature.
And to echo other posts of mine, may the political situation return to working to serve the needs of our great nation, in a peaceful manner.
Today's quote:
The most important scientific revolutions all include, as their only common feature, the dethronement of human arrogance from one pedestal after another of previous convictions about our centrality in the cosmos.
-Stephen Jay Gould, paleontologist, biologist, author (1941-2002)
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Update on current news:
From the Facebook page of the Unitarian Universalist Association at about 3:15 pm on April 30, 2025...
We celebrate the release of Columbia University student Mohsen Mahdawi from federal custody. He was arrested by ICE on April 14 while attending a naturalization interview. Outside the courthouse today, he told supporters:
“I want to thank my people in Vermont. I’ve always learned that home is where you feel safe and loved — and those who surround you there are my people, and you are my people. In Vermont, we have the people and the representatives — Democrats and Republicans, spiritual people and intellectual people — all come together to say, ‘The people united will never be defeated.’”Mohsen’s release is a testament to the power of community — the people who showed up, spoke out, and refused to be silent. But the fight is far from over.As one supporter noted, this wave of detentions echoes the fear-driven politics of the Red Scare and McCarthyism — chapters of U.S. history we must not repeat. We must keep showing up for one another and resisting systems that criminalize immigration and dissent.
And remember the eight workers in Chicago..sentenced to death...and after that, others in the same case declared innocent...
ReplyDeleteI didn't remember the Chicago Eight/Seven, so just looked it up. Demonstrations were definitely met with police brutality, and that's about when Bobby Kennedy was killed, just months after Martin Luther King. The war in Vietnam was part of every protest that year. The power of legal forces still needs to be checked, and double checked. If the various prisoners that have been unjustly seized by ICE, are not given the protection of the law, then they are also victims of an army of thugs who supposedly represent legal actions. Our lives today still are in jeopardy from any group that has risen as a result of tRump forgiving the January 6 rioters.
DeleteThank you for this beautifully woven reflection—honoring Beltane’s ancient roots, the labor struggles of history, and the urgent calls for justice in our present. I loved the reminder of May Day’s layered meanings, from maypoles to activism. Your connection between ecological stewardship and spiritual tradition resonates deeply, especially now. And Mohsen’s story is a powerful testament to the strength of community and solidarity. May we keep dancing, resisting, and caring—for the earth and for one another.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I admit to being dismayed by your webpage selling cars in Cologne. I do hope it isn't spam.
DeleteDear Barbara,
DeleteThank you for your honest response. I truly appreciate you taking the time to engage with my comment. I can assure you it wasn’t intended as spam—my words came from a place of genuine resonance with your reflection on Beltane and May Day. While my work does involve car sales in Cologne, my personal and professional life often intersect, and I value spaces where deeper conversations—like yours—can take place. Wishing you a season filled with light, connection, and continued inspiration.
Warm regards, Anna
I appreciate learning of the connection between Labour Day and May Day.
ReplyDeleteWell, I just made it up. But it does stand to reason!
Delete...I wish you a Merry Month of May!
ReplyDeleteAnd the same to you and yours!
DeleteThank you for a lovely post. It's heartening to see that protest still works.
ReplyDeleteHappy Beltane, Barb.
Thanks Suzi! Happy Beltane to you and yours.
DeleteWhite rabbits, happy May! The Catholic church observes this as the feast of St Joseph the Worker! Carpenter, a tradesman. I can do this.
ReplyDeleteOh I do like knowing it's the Saints Day of St. Joseph. A truly honest laborer!
DeleteHappy Beltane, Barb!
ReplyDeleteThank you and Happy Beltane to you and yours!
DeleteThat's a lovely vase! JanF
ReplyDeleteThanks JanF. Have a happy day, however you celebrate it!
DeleteHello Barb!
ReplyDeleteYour vase is lovely. Happy May to you, have a great new month!
Thanks so much Eileen. Have a wonderful month of May!
DeleteGood news about Madawi's release!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly was good news to see!
DeleteHappy May Day, Barbara. I like your vase, it's lovely.
ReplyDeleteHope your May Day was easy on you, and now when I'm writing this it's the middle of your night. So happy Friday!
DeleteHappy May Day! I enjoyed reading about Beltane. Thank you for linking up and have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. So glad to join others for the sharing!
DeleteHi Barbara, Some argue that Trump's goals are positive in many ways... IF so, his rush to do everything is poorly thought out and poorly executed with little or no thought about the impact of his actions on the average citizen. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth...or somewhere else...and he has no clue about life as we know it. As I've said previously, he is a narcissistic sociopath with little or no care about others. Do we need to lower the national debt/reduce spending...yes. Do we need to control our borders and have an effective system for needed immigration...yes. Do some countries take advantage of the US re: trading policies...yes. Should we haphazardly disembowel critical government agencies and programs to save money...no. Should we remove illegal immigrants or foreign legal residents from the USA without due process...no. Our government is a hot mess right now... Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
ReplyDeleteGood to know your opinions, as always. Right on!
DeleteI was out celebrating May Day - International Workers Day along a highway with a sign that says "Hands Off Unions"! And despite the rain and wind, 200 people showed up!
ReplyDeleteWhat great news! So happy to hear this. And thank you and the 200!
Delete