May is a  favorite month for both co-hosts for many reasons.

A Beltane Reading from the Charge of the Goddess (Starhawk, The Spiral Dance 1979)

I who am the beauty of the green earth and the white moon among the stars and the mysteries of the waters, I call upon your soul to arise and come unto me. For I am the soul of nature that gives life to the universe. From me all things proceed and unto me they must return. Let my worship be in the heart that rejoices, for behold—all acts of love and pleasure are my rituals. Let there be beauty and strength, power and compassion, honour and humility, mirth and reverence within you. And you who seek to know me, know that your seeking and yearning will avail you not, unless you know the mystery; for if that which you seek, you find not within yourself, you will never fine it without. For behold, I have been with you from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire.

Emma shares the origins of Beltane and Lei Day, May 1 in Hawaii how it’s been a tradition since 1928……

“May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Nei.” This popular phrase in the islands prevents anyone from forgetting this special day. It was Don Blanding, a writer and poet, who first suggested that a holiday should be dedicated to the beautiful Hawaiian tradition of making and wearing lei, but it was Grace Tower Warren, also a writer, who came up with the idea that the holiday should coincide with May Day.

Watch a Hula celebrating Lei day here  

Emma read from “Kindling the Celtic Spirit” where the Spiral Dance of the year is understanding sacred time . . .

Everywhere we look life moves in a spiral motion the early Celts knew this and danced all night festivals reflecting the earth Mysteries  of blossom and leaf fall and the circling year.The early Celts divided their year into two halves dark and light Samhain and Beltane.

Beltane ushered in the Light and the sun, originally these turning points of the year were not marked on a calendar but from careful observation of the stars sun moon wind weather and movements of animals and birds and the voice of the earth. Belenos (Beh-ley-noss) was a sun God who may have been connected with the festival of Beltaine meaning bright or brilliant. The Romans called him Apollo.

We wrap up with a Beltane ceremony for us and you the listeners to welcome in the new in all our lives. Christine and Emma welcome your feedback on what you LOVE about the podcast now, and any suggestions around what you would like to change!